3/9/16 Update:
Temperatures have warmed to near 60, but the Paul Smith's VIC now reports 8" of uno in the woods and most trails skiable. They hope to be able to stay open for the coming weekend. Nearby areas should also be skiable through the weekend since the surfaces will be soft. A little cooler on Friday, but then warm again through the weekend and into next week.
Original Post
We had some cold, winter-like weather last week and into the weekend, but no new snow, and now we are looking at increasingly warm temperatures through Thursday. Highs Wednesday and Thursday will be in the 50s, then a bit cooler on Friday, followed by a return to the 50s for the coming weekend. There will still be snow above 3,000 feet, but it will be a hike to get there.
And speaking of hiking, most hiking trails have a hard icy base that makes good traction aids (microspikes or crampons) mandatory for most ascents. By the coming weekend, some of the lower elevation trails may be completely free of ice, but until then, don't leave home without traction.
As we have before, we checked around to see if any part of the Adirondacks had any snow. The result is that only Osceola Tug Hill ski area remains open. The snowmobile condition report from usually snowy Inlet (yes, we are that desperate) notes poor conditions and sums up this week's weather with "game over".
For die-hards, I can personally recommend a trip to Ottawa for skiing in Gatineau Park - 150km of beautifully groomed trails with several feet of base. If only here .....
MORE SPECIFICALLY:
JACKRABBIT TRAIL - No section skiable
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow depth at Lake Colden: 18 "
Snow depth at 4,000 feet: 24-36"
Bare spots on both the hiking trail and truck trail to Marcy Dam. Snow cover but many rocks showing to Avalanche Camp. Ski route past Avalanche Camp passable. Lake ice on Avalanche Lake no longer crossable. Likewise, don't count on being able to cross the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands as of the coming weekend.
Remote monitoring in the Huntington Forest in Newcomb indicates 3", so Newcomb Lake Road to Camp Santanoni skiable, but not likely to survive until the coming weekend. (see comment below)
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY: Very icy at the Toll House, and thin enough that one can see the yellow line through the ice. Likely some show higher up, but probably not worth the hike.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS (trail fee required)
Van Ho, Cascade, and Dewey are all still closed.
Paul smith's VIC: (See 3/9/16 update) As surfaces soften, but before they melt entirely, there will be a "window" when areas nearby including Hays Brook and Fish Pond truck trails will be skiable.
Temperatures have warmed to near 60, but the Paul Smith's VIC now reports 8" of uno in the woods and most trails skiable. They hope to be able to stay open for the coming weekend. Nearby areas should also be skiable through the weekend since the surfaces will be soft. A little cooler on Friday, but then warm again through the weekend and into next week.
Original Post
We had some cold, winter-like weather last week and into the weekend, but no new snow, and now we are looking at increasingly warm temperatures through Thursday. Highs Wednesday and Thursday will be in the 50s, then a bit cooler on Friday, followed by a return to the 50s for the coming weekend. There will still be snow above 3,000 feet, but it will be a hike to get there.
And speaking of hiking, most hiking trails have a hard icy base that makes good traction aids (microspikes or crampons) mandatory for most ascents. By the coming weekend, some of the lower elevation trails may be completely free of ice, but until then, don't leave home without traction.
As we have before, we checked around to see if any part of the Adirondacks had any snow. The result is that only Osceola Tug Hill ski area remains open. The snowmobile condition report from usually snowy Inlet (yes, we are that desperate) notes poor conditions and sums up this week's weather with "game over".
For die-hards, I can personally recommend a trip to Ottawa for skiing in Gatineau Park - 150km of beautifully groomed trails with several feet of base. If only here .....
MORE SPECIFICALLY:
JACKRABBIT TRAIL - No section skiable
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Snow depth at Lake Colden: 18 "
Snow depth at 4,000 feet: 24-36"
Bare spots on both the hiking trail and truck trail to Marcy Dam. Snow cover but many rocks showing to Avalanche Camp. Ski route past Avalanche Camp passable. Lake ice on Avalanche Lake no longer crossable. Likewise, don't count on being able to cross the Opalescent River in Flowed Lands as of the coming weekend.
Remote monitoring in the Huntington Forest in Newcomb indicates 3", so Newcomb Lake Road to Camp Santanoni skiable, but not likely to survive until the coming weekend. (see comment below)
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY: Very icy at the Toll House, and thin enough that one can see the yellow line through the ice. Likely some show higher up, but probably not worth the hike.
CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS (trail fee required)
Van Ho, Cascade, and Dewey are all still closed.
Paul smith's VIC: (See 3/9/16 update) As surfaces soften, but before they melt entirely, there will be a "window" when areas nearby including Hays Brook and Fish Pond truck trails will be skiable.
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