Conditions 4/12/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  While it has felt like Spring for parts of some days this past week, overall it's been cold enough that there was relatively little melting in the backcountry or in sheltered wooded areas.  Thus we'll continue to see "spring surfaces" prevailing - a bit "crispy" each morning until it warms up.   Still 4-6 inches of snow in wooded areas around Lake Placid, but open areas are mostly bare.   All cross-country centers are closed for the season, but Van Hoevenberg still has good cover on most trails, especially the Porter Mountain Loops and it is being skied.  Today, Friday, has seen a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain, but no significant accumulation. Weekend weather will be cloudy with additional chances for mixed precipitation. It is now predicted to warm into the 50s later next week, but if you don't mind the weather there is still skiing for this weekend. 

       JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•      Base Depth - 0-10 inches

              Surface Conditions - spring surfaces           
              Km Open - 10

        Remarks - Old Mountain Road section getting thin, but still skiable.  Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass still in good shape.  No report on the hill down to McKenzie Pond, but probably not skiable all the way to the pond.  Thin and with too many bare spots starting in from McKenzie Pond Rd.  

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 26" 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 4 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  spring surfaces 
              Remarks:   Little melting this past week, so still good cover and definitely still winter conditions once one is past Marcy Dam.  Hiking trail from ADK Loj now definitely not skiable, but truck trail remains mostly skiable with just a few bare spots on the south-facing hills. Calamity Brook approach remains skiable, but no recent reports on whether there is still a good crossing of the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands.  

     *  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 on Colden and Avalanche Lake remains but is not likely safe, nor is any other lake's ice safe. .
  •      *  Other popular tours including Hays Brook, Fish Pond, Newcomb Lake, and Moose Pond (at least 6" in Newcomb), still have cover that should last through the weekend and into the coming week.   
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