Bridge is under there somewhere. Jackrabbit Trail between McKenzie Pond Rd and McKenzie Pond. Jan 15 2018 Update 1/17/18: Old Mt. Road section now fully skiable as the washout has been shoveled in and all the beaver ponds are solidly frozen. In addition to Hayes Brook, Fish Pond Truck Trail is in great shape, but the ponds may now be slushy. Otherwise, road to Ausable Lakes is thin but skiable with snowmobile traffic actually making skating possible. Remote sensing for the Huntington Forest in Newcomb shows 15" there, so should be great skiing to Newcomb Lake and Moose Pond. That report would also indicate skiable snow on Gulf Brook Road to the Boreas Ponds.
Today we'll be out checking conditions around the area. This report will updated throughout the day.
3:00pm - a few more updates
Good ski tracks are established on most of the Jackrabbit Trail. On the Lake Placid end of the Old Mountain Road section, a few ice climbers have bare-booted but mercifully stayed to the side of the trail and out of the ski tracks. Above Whiteface Inn Lane the trail is well-traveled by skiers and snowshoers. We spent some time today packing snow in the open drainages that are now frozen between the road and the lean-to. A few remain open with running water, so use caution on downhills.
On the Saranac Lake side of McKenzie Pass, the trail remains impassable due to a flooded bridge between McKenzie Pond Rd and McKenzie Pond itself. The water level has continued to rise since Saturday. The span of open water and ice flow is now 50 feet from bank to bank, with no safe place to cross whatsoever. The trail can still be skied as an out and back from the parking lot....quick but enjoyable, and you get to see the stream running 2-3 feet deep above the deck of the bridge. Hopefully its still there when the water goes down!
At the Hayes Brook truck trail there is now a small 2-3 car parking area shoveled out at the intersection of Mountain Pond Rd and Rt. 30. Thanks to Forest Ranger Pete Evans for the report and your efforts.
9:00am - A few specific updates to share since yesterday's report.
Skiers out in the High Peaks yesterday report a higher than average number of people on the trails without skis or snowshoes. Mount Marcy was skied but can't be recommended for all, and certainly not for the faint of heart. From Marcy Dam, the bottom section is still icy and rocky. Middle section has decent snow and good skiing, but crossing the stream at Indian Falls is "sketchy". Above treeline conditions are very icy and wind blow.
Jackrabbit Ski Trail still impassable between McKenzie Pond Rd and the pond itself. The first major bridge reached when traveling toward the pond is completely flooded still as of Sunday afternoon. Also, a report of flooding past the Placid Lean-to on the McKenzie Pass section. As of Saturday, Old Mt. Rd. had one stream flowing across the trail about 3/4-mile up from Rock and River. Beaver pond at two miles was also flooded, but a bypass was possible. No reports so far on the many beaver ponds on the Lake Placid side of the pass, but all of the above may have frozen with last night's cold temperatures. Again, look for updates later today or tomorrow.
Trail to Whiteface Landing from Connery Pond - Great powder conditions BUT flooded sections too. Several wet areas with running water and a couple iced over. More snow needed to cover the ice. Passable but take care crossing
Reports from Paul Smiths/Fish Creek area are good. Fish Pond truck trail and trails around Little Green Pond are in great shape. Hayes Brook will be good as well but be advised that Mountain Pond Rd is not plowed from Rt. 30 to the parking area.
Stay tuned for more updates...
Weather will warm up slowly this week with perhaps some light snow to help cover up the icy sections left from the flooding. Now predicted to his 30 by Saturday and 40 on Sunday with, you guessed it, again a chance of rain.
Today we'll be out checking conditions around the area. This report will updated throughout the day.
3:00pm - a few more updates
Good ski tracks are established on most of the Jackrabbit Trail. On the Lake Placid end of the Old Mountain Road section, a few ice climbers have bare-booted but mercifully stayed to the side of the trail and out of the ski tracks. Above Whiteface Inn Lane the trail is well-traveled by skiers and snowshoers. We spent some time today packing snow in the open drainages that are now frozen between the road and the lean-to. A few remain open with running water, so use caution on downhills.
On the Saranac Lake side of McKenzie Pass, the trail remains impassable due to a flooded bridge between McKenzie Pond Rd and McKenzie Pond itself. The water level has continued to rise since Saturday. The span of open water and ice flow is now 50 feet from bank to bank, with no safe place to cross whatsoever. The trail can still be skied as an out and back from the parking lot....quick but enjoyable, and you get to see the stream running 2-3 feet deep above the deck of the bridge. Hopefully its still there when the water goes down!
At the Hayes Brook truck trail there is now a small 2-3 car parking area shoveled out at the intersection of Mountain Pond Rd and Rt. 30. Thanks to Forest Ranger Pete Evans for the report and your efforts.
9:00am - A few specific updates to share since yesterday's report.
Skiers out in the High Peaks yesterday report a higher than average number of people on the trails without skis or snowshoes. Mount Marcy was skied but can't be recommended for all, and certainly not for the faint of heart. From Marcy Dam, the bottom section is still icy and rocky. Middle section has decent snow and good skiing, but crossing the stream at Indian Falls is "sketchy". Above treeline conditions are very icy and wind blow.
Jackrabbit Ski Trail still impassable between McKenzie Pond Rd and the pond itself. The first major bridge reached when traveling toward the pond is completely flooded still as of Sunday afternoon. Also, a report of flooding past the Placid Lean-to on the McKenzie Pass section. As of Saturday, Old Mt. Rd. had one stream flowing across the trail about 3/4-mile up from Rock and River. Beaver pond at two miles was also flooded, but a bypass was possible. No reports so far on the many beaver ponds on the Lake Placid side of the pass, but all of the above may have frozen with last night's cold temperatures. Again, look for updates later today or tomorrow.
Trail to Whiteface Landing from Connery Pond - Great powder conditions BUT flooded sections too. Several wet areas with running water and a couple iced over. More snow needed to cover the ice. Passable but take care crossing
Reports from Paul Smiths/Fish Creek area are good. Fish Pond truck trail and trails around Little Green Pond are in great shape. Hayes Brook will be good as well but be advised that Mountain Pond Rd is not plowed from Rt. 30 to the parking area.
Stay tuned for more updates...
Weather will warm up slowly this week with perhaps some light snow to help cover up the icy sections left from the flooding. Now predicted to his 30 by Saturday and 40 on Sunday with, you guessed it, again a chance of rain.
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