Conditions 3/30/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  Winter came back for a while last week, and we have enough snow to keep us going for another week or so.  Definitely warming up to normal or slightly above normal temperatures into next week, so we'll see a slow melting with "spring surfaces" prevailing. That means that surfaces will be a bit "crispy" each morning until it warms up. Clear today and into Sunday morning with temperatures rising to about 50 today and Sunday, followed by more clouds and showers into the first part of next week.  Good cover in most places through Easter weekend, but that will be it for many areas.

       JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•      Base Depth - 0-10 inches

              Surface Conditions - spring surfaces           
              Km Open - 45

        Remarks - River Road stretch is bare as are sections of golf course.  All wooded sections will be skiable through the weekend.  (There may not be any snow visible at the McKenzie Pond Road trailhead, but you'll find some just around the corner.)

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 33" 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4-1/2 - 5 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  spring surfaces 
              Remarks:  Last week we were reporting mid-winter conditions, but they were just barely "mid-winter", so the approaches to the backcountry will be deteriorating over the weekend.  Still good cover once one is past Marcy Dam, although the Marcy trail is still a bit rough for the 1.2 mi. above Marcy Dam.   No recent report on the hiking trail part of Wright Peak Ski Trail, but that is probably still unskiable.  Hiking trail from ADK Loj skiable, but definitely use old Marcy Dam Trail from the Loj campground. Truck trail is in good shape. Calamity Brook approach is skiable, and tracks lead to the one good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.  Some brooks went out wil the earlier thaw and may be difficult to cross - especially Sunday afternoon with the increased snow melt.

     *  Skis and snowshoes still 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 remains solid, although there will likely be water on top by Sunday afternoon. South (outlet) end of  Avalanche Lake does have weak ice into which a few have apparently fallen.  Use caution.
  •      *  All other popular tours (Connery Pond, Hays Brook, Raquette Falls, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, Moose Pond, Ausable Lake Road, Whiteface Highway) still have cover that should last through the weekend.   
  __________________________________________________________________
  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 - 45
                Km Tracked -  40
•               Remarks - Open through Easter weekend
•      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 - 
                Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
                Km Open - 15
                Km Tracked - 10
                Remarks -  Restaurant closed, but open for skiing through Easter weekend.
  
           Whiteface Club Nordic Center:
•     10 km of trails, open Wed-Sun.  rentals, 518-523-2551, www.whitefaceclubresort.com
•               Base Depth -    
                Inches New Snow - 
•               Surface Conditions -   
                Km Open -  
                Km Tracked - 
                Remarks - Closed for the season

           Paul Smith's VIC:
           15 km of trails, open daily, rentals, 518-327-6241, www.adirondackvic.org
                       Base Depth - 2-6" (packed)
                        Inches New Snow -  
                       Surface Conditions - spring surfaces
                       Km Open - 10
                       Km Tracked - 
                       Remarks -   All trails open.  12-18" 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 - 
                        Inches New Snow - 
                        Surface conditions 
                        Km Open -  
                        Km Tracked -
                        Remarks -  Lower trails probably still skiable, but no recent report.

                 Tupper Lake free x-c ski trails
             10 km of groomed trails starting from Tupper Lake Golf Course 
             http://www.skitupperlake.blogspot.com

                       No recent report.