Conditions 4/19/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  This past week spring really arrived.  The streams have been running high with snow melt.  Thursday night was warm and windy, and as of Friday morning it was already in the 60s.  Friday night will be rainy, followed by cooler weather for the weekend, but the only snow left will be above 2,500-3,000 feet.  Snow will remain for several more weeks at least on the higher summits, so snowshoes will continue to be needed for higher elevation travel into May.  The remaining snow will be quite rotten with this warm weather, so even skis or snowshoes may not keep one on the surface.  Travel can thus be very slow.  And as we end the season, we hope you have found these reports useful.  If you haven't already contributed, consider hitting the "Donate" button on the web site or sending a check to:  ASTC, P.O. Box 843, Lake Placid, NY  12946.  

       JACKRABBIT TRAIL CONDITIONS:

•      Base Depth - 

              Surface Conditions - spring surfaces           
              Km Open - ?

        Remarks -  Whiteface Inn Lane to the top of the pass still had cover as of Thursday, but that's about it for the Jackrabbit Trail this season.   

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden: 15" 
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 3-4 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  spring surfaces 
              Remarks:   As noted above snow pretty much melted below 2,500 feet.  Streams are high, and unbridged crossings will be difficult. Calamity Brook approach has some rotten snow, but no longer 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.
  •      *  No lake ice is safe. .
  •      *  Time to think about lower level hiking trails on south-facing slopes that have dried out.  Bald Peak from New Russia, Rooster Comb and Little Porter in Keene Valley are possibilities for this weekend.
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