Conditions 3/11/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  After a week or so of mid-winter conditions, we've moved on to spring conditions.  Generally that will mean cool nights and crusty conditions each day before the frozen granular transitions to corn snow. First, however, we'll have to get past the temperatures predicted to be in the 50s on Monday followed by rain Monday night and Tuesday.  Cooling off Tuesday night with temperatures below freezing every night and the chance of some new snow Wednesday.  So far, it appears we have enough snow to survive the rain with good cover remaining.  Next update on Wednesday, 3/13, when we see what the rain has done.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•               Base Depth - 8-15 inches

              Surface Conditions - spring surfaces          
              Km Open - 50

        Remarks - Entire trail skiable

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 35 " 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 - 5 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  spring surfaces
              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 better skiing.  Avalanche Pass is in good shape.   Calamity Brook Trail and Flowed Lands also very skiable.  Marcy Trail still a bit rough just above Marcy Dam, but the main problem is that reportedly a large group postholed all the way to the summit, leaving a very rough surface for skiing. Wright Peak has good skiing above the junction with the hiking trail, which is now rough but skiable.  Northside Trail to Johns Brook Lodge passable on skis. 

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 safe and mostly slush free.
  • All other popular tours (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Raquette Falls, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, Moose Pond, Ausable Lake Road, Whiteface Highway) in good shape.  Whiteface Highway still 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 - 
                Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
                Km Open - 50
                Km Tracked - 47 
•               Remarks -
• 
       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 -  spring surfaces
                Km Open - 20
                Km Tracked - 15
                Remarks - 
  
           Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
•     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun.  rentals, 518-523-2551,
• www.whitefaceclubresort.com
                Base Depth -  2-4" (packed)   
                Inches New Snow - 
•               Surface Conditions - spring surfaces  
                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 - 2-8" (packed)
                        Inches New Snow -  
                       Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
                       Km Open - 20
                       Km Tracked - 8
                       Remarks - All loops open. 10" 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 - 3-4" (packed)
                        Inches New Snow - 
                        Surface conditions - powder 
                        Km Open -  15
                        Km Tracked - 7
                        Remarks -  Upper trails now have better 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.