Conditions 4/29/13

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:  After a week sort of "on hold" this week spring will truly arrive.  The streams will again be running high with snow melt, and by the end of the week snow should be pretty much gone below 3,000 feet even on north-facing slopes and gone below 4,000 feet on south-facing slopes.  Trails will be muddy on the approaches and anywhere there isn't still snow or ice.  Given that the ski season is over except for the hardest of the die-hards, time to think about drier, lower elevation trails where one won't do too much damage.  Snowshoes will, however, continue to be needed for higher elevation travel into May; and the remaining snow can 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 -            
              Km Open - 

        Remarks -     

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
              Snow Depth at Lake Colden:  
              Snow Depth at 4,000 feet: 3-4 feet 
              Surface Conditions:  spring surfaces 
              Remarks:   Snow cover as noted above.   

     *  Skis and snowshoes still required at higher elevations in the High Peaks Wilderness Area. 

• •      *  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. Also, many nice hikes in the southern Adirondacks that are worth trying until mid-May
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