Conditions 2/28/13

• INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  After last week's snos, we are closer to "mid-winter" conditions than we've been in two years.  We had hoped for some significant new snow on Wednesday, but temperatures, right around freezing or slightly above all day.  The result was a day of "white rain" and relatively little accumulation.  It was colder higher up, so there could be more when we get reports from Lake Colden. So far, the forecast calls for continued near freezing temperatures through Friday with a bit more snow.  Then a bit cooler on Saturday, followed by temperatures again in the 30s by Sunday.  Surface conditions should be soft, wet powder today and Friday, a bit crunchy on Saturday, and then soft again on Sunday.  
• 
  JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:
  •               Base Depth - 10-20 inches
                Surface Conditions - wet powder              
                Km Open - 50
          Remarks -  Entire trail skiable.  Snowmobile tracks on the McKenzie Pond to Whiteface Inn section due to rescue activity related to a plane crash (no serious injuries) last Thursday night.
  
  BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 39" (as of 2/27 - no current report) 
                Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 - 5 feet 
                Surface Conditions:  wet powder with underlying frozen granular
                Remarks:   Hiking trail from Adirondak Loj to Marcy Dam rated "rough but skiable."  Better if taking the Old Marcy Dam Trail from the campground.  The truck trail is still the best, if longer, ski approach to Marcy Dam, but some rocks still showing on the truck trail - especially on one corner not quite a mile from the register.  Still a few rocks to dodge from Marcy Dam to Avalanche Camp, but after that Avalanche Pass is in good shape.   Calamity Brook trail and Flowed Lands also very skiable with only one tricky crossing of a small stream and with a few rocks showing on the lower downhills.  Lower part of the Marcy Trail now rough but skiable thanks to some judicious shoveling just below the Phelps Mt. trail junction.  Good cover above the Phelps Brook bridge 1.2 mi. beyond Marcy Dam. (This is also known as 50 meter bridge because at one time the bridge there was about 50 meters long.)   Wright Peak still only skiable above the junction with the hiking trail.  Northside Trail to Johns Brook Lodge passable on skis, but probably still not recommended due to numerous rocks and roots still showing as Keene Valley has not picked up the snow other areas have.
  Skis and snowshoes definitely required in the High Peaks Wilderness Area and needed elsewhere.  
  • • Meadow Lane has been blocked off for the winter, adding 3/4 mile to approach of Marcy Dam.
    • Lake ice generally safe and slush free.
    • All other popular tours (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Raquette Falls, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, Moose Pond, Ausable Lake Road) in good shape.  Whiteface Highway still likely very thin for about half its length due to continued high winds with the new snow.  Especially thin or even bare above the Lake Placid Turn.  
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    X-C SKI CENTER CONDITIONS: (Groomed, trail fee required)
  •      Mt. Van Hoevenberg X-C Ski Center:  
  •     50km of trails, open daily, rentals, lessons, 518-523-2811, www.whiteface.com/activities/cross-country-skiing 
                  Base Depth -  6" (packed)
                  Inches New Snow - 5"
                  Surface Conditions -  wet powder 
                  Km Open - 50
                  Km Tracked - 47 
  •               Remarks - Grooming in progress
  • 
         Cascade X-C Ski Center:
  •     20 km of trails with connection to 50km at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, open daily, rentals, lessons, restaurant, bar.  518-523-9605, www.cascadeski.com
                  Base Depth -  6" (packed)   
                  Inches New Snow - 2"
                  Surface Conditions -  wet powder
                  Km Open - 20
                  Km Tracked - 15
                  Remarks - Grooming in progress
    
             Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
  •     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun.  rentals, 518-523-2551,
  • www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                  Base Depth -  4" (packed)   
                  Inches New Snow - 2
  •               Surface Conditions - powder 
                  Km Open -  10
                  Km Tracked - 10
                  Remarks - 
  
             Paul Smith's VIC:
             15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                         Base Depth - 4-6" (packed)
                          Inches New Snow -  2
                         Surface Conditions - powder
                         Km Open - 20
                         Km Tracked - 15
                         Remarks - All loops open. 15" inches off trail depth
  
                 Dewey Mountain - Saranac  Lake
              13 km of trails, open daily (including nights until 7PM Tue. - Fri.), rentals, 891-2697         http://www.deweymountain.com
                          Base Depth - 5" (packed)
                          Inches New Snow - 1
                          Surface conditions -  powder and granular
                          Km Open -  15
                          Km Tracked - 7
                          Remarks -  Upper trails still have thin cover. Set track on lower trails.
  
                   Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
               10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
               http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com
                            All trails packed and tracked.