Avalanche Pass Ski Trail - January 21, 2016 SNOW! This week brought approximately 4-12" of new snow accumulation across the region, and the skiing is as good as its been all season. Generally skiers can expect to find powder and packed powder on the more popular sections of the Jackrabbit Trail, as well as the Connery Pond, Hays Brook and Heaven Hill trails, with 4-6" of fresh snow covering the rain crust from last week in the woods and on un-tracked trails at lower elevations.
National Weather Service forecast for Lake Placid - Looks like the big storm hitting Washington DC and the eastern seaboard will miss us entirely. However the weekend looks spectacular with lots of sun and temps in the 20s through Sunday. No new snow in the forecast for now.
On the Avalanche Pass and Whales Tail Ski Trails today we found powder conditions on above Marcy Dam but not much base to cover the larger rocks, especially on Whales Tail. Between Marcy Dam and the bottom of the Avalanche Pass Ski Trail, skiers will find mostly smooth skiing wit a few open drainages and exposed boulders, and caution is needed on many of the downhills. There's 8-12" in the woods higher up, on top of the rain crust from last week.
The hiking trail below Marcy Dam is skiable but thin in spots. Boardwalks and log structures are still exposed but passable. The Old Marcy Dam trail is the better approach from the Loj at this point. The Old Algonquin Trail is thin but still better skiing than the main Algonquin/Wright Peak hiking trail if you are skiing Whales Tail. The Truck Trail appears to be in great condition at Marcy Dam, though we did not ski it today. No report yet from Wright Peak Ski Trail, but the condition of the hiking trail leads us to believe it needs much more snow to be a worthwhile endeavor.
Other good possibilities include the Fish Pond Truck Trail with good cover and a good skied-in track. Ice on the ponds is mostly free of slush. Hayes Brook Truck Trail to the Sheep Meadow and Grass Pond also has good cover and has been broken out.
Road to the Lower Ausable Lake is very thin at the gate and for the next 1/4 mile, but cover improves at the first climb. Packed flat by snowmobiles, so no ski tracks.
Slides on Mt. Colden and Wright Peak are filling in nicely, but still need a big storm to really set things up.
BETA-ASTC POOL PARTY THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, January 24, Barkeater Trails Alliance is hosting the 24th Annual "Ski & Swim" Pool Party from 3pm to 6pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lake Placid.
More details HERE and HERE.
BEFORE THE POOL PARTY - JOIN US FOR A SKI!
Annual Theresa Klauck Memorial Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail
Cascade XC Center to Lake Placid
Sunday, January 24
Meet at 11:30am at Cascade Lodge (depart around 12pm)
End at the Crowne Plaza in time for the Meeting & Pool Party
Each year long-time friends of the Jackrabbit Trail get together to pay homage to Theresa Klauck. Before her unexpected death in 2001, Theresa was a dedicated volunteer on the Jackrabbit, and served on the Adirondack Ski Touring Council's Board of Directors from 1992 to 1994. The bridge just north of Craig Wood was constructed and dedicated in her honor.
XC Ski Area Conditions (click links)
Cascade XC Center
Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Paul Smiths VIC
National Weather Service forecast for Lake Placid - Looks like the big storm hitting Washington DC and the eastern seaboard will miss us entirely. However the weekend looks spectacular with lots of sun and temps in the 20s through Sunday. No new snow in the forecast for now.
On the Avalanche Pass and Whales Tail Ski Trails today we found powder conditions on above Marcy Dam but not much base to cover the larger rocks, especially on Whales Tail. Between Marcy Dam and the bottom of the Avalanche Pass Ski Trail, skiers will find mostly smooth skiing wit a few open drainages and exposed boulders, and caution is needed on many of the downhills. There's 8-12" in the woods higher up, on top of the rain crust from last week.
The hiking trail below Marcy Dam is skiable but thin in spots. Boardwalks and log structures are still exposed but passable. The Old Marcy Dam trail is the better approach from the Loj at this point. The Old Algonquin Trail is thin but still better skiing than the main Algonquin/Wright Peak hiking trail if you are skiing Whales Tail. The Truck Trail appears to be in great condition at Marcy Dam, though we did not ski it today. No report yet from Wright Peak Ski Trail, but the condition of the hiking trail leads us to believe it needs much more snow to be a worthwhile endeavor.
Other good possibilities include the Fish Pond Truck Trail with good cover and a good skied-in track. Ice on the ponds is mostly free of slush. Hayes Brook Truck Trail to the Sheep Meadow and Grass Pond also has good cover and has been broken out.
Road to the Lower Ausable Lake is very thin at the gate and for the next 1/4 mile, but cover improves at the first climb. Packed flat by snowmobiles, so no ski tracks.
Slides on Mt. Colden and Wright Peak are filling in nicely, but still need a big storm to really set things up.
BETA-ASTC POOL PARTY THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday, January 24, Barkeater Trails Alliance is hosting the 24th Annual "Ski & Swim" Pool Party from 3pm to 6pm at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Lake Placid.
More details HERE and HERE.
BEFORE THE POOL PARTY - JOIN US FOR A SKI!
Annual Theresa Klauck Memorial Ski on the Jackrabbit Trail
Cascade XC Center to Lake Placid
Sunday, January 24
Meet at 11:30am at Cascade Lodge (depart around 12pm)
End at the Crowne Plaza in time for the Meeting & Pool Party
Each year long-time friends of the Jackrabbit Trail get together to pay homage to Theresa Klauck. Before her unexpected death in 2001, Theresa was a dedicated volunteer on the Jackrabbit, and served on the Adirondack Ski Touring Council's Board of Directors from 1992 to 1994. The bridge just north of Craig Wood was constructed and dedicated in her honor.
XC Ski Area Conditions (click links)
Cascade XC Center
Mt. Van Hoevenberg
Paul Smiths VIC
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