Trail conditions have changed considerably in the past few days. Through most of the day and night on Monday we saw a mixed bag of precipitation including rain and freezing rain, and the wind blew hard for over 24 hours. It calmed down Tuesday but remained above freezing most of the day. Ski tracks turned crusty and untracked snow did as well, but not so bad that it made breaking trail unpleasant. This morning (Wednesday) we received a dusting of dry snow which mercifully covered all the twigs and needles that came down on Monday.
Generally all sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and other ski trails are well covered and skiable but conditions are variable. Ski and snowshoe-tracked trails are well-packed, frozen and crusty with a dusting of new snow. Caution needed on the bigger hills which are fast and icy. Untracked snow on the sides of trails provides decent skiing once a new track is laid down. "Crustiness" varies by location and elevation but is generally easy to break through whever you go. We urge skiers to continue to use caution on any ice crossings - if in doubt go around or turn around.
We patrolled and cleared blowdown on the Hayes Brook Trail on Tuesday, but turned around just short of the Sheep Meadows. There's a good frozen track and significant snowpack in the Paul Smiths area remains despite the rain. Average snow depth here is 6-10".
Today we patrolled and cleared blowdown on the Connery Pond - Whiteface Landing Trail. Skiing is great out here with a good track (occasionaly shared with the snowshoe track), good coverage and a consistent packed powder base. Average snow depth here is 6-8", with noticeably more snow above the big hill on the way to Whiteface Landing.
National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Thursday and Friday. 2-6" of new snow expected by Thursday night in the Lake Placid region followed by another 1-3 inches on Friday. If this turns out to be accurate we'll have some great skiing to bring in the New Year this weekend.
The next update will be issued Friday afternoon and will include a report on conditions in the High Peaks Wilderness.
UPCOMING EVENTS
**Skier Bulletin**
The skier access to the top of the Fallen Leaf Trail via the dam/pond crossing located just below the Jackrabbit Ski Trail has been closed by the landowner. A fence and posted signage have been installed. Though the majority of the Fallen Leaf Trail is on state land, the top of the trail and the dam and pond are on private property. Please respect the landowner's property and comply with the closure. The Fallen Leaf Trail can still be skied as an out-and-back by starting from the bottom, where it intersects with the Jackrabbit Trail at the Whiteface Inn Rd crossing.
Generally all sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and other ski trails are well covered and skiable but conditions are variable. Ski and snowshoe-tracked trails are well-packed, frozen and crusty with a dusting of new snow. Caution needed on the bigger hills which are fast and icy. Untracked snow on the sides of trails provides decent skiing once a new track is laid down. "Crustiness" varies by location and elevation but is generally easy to break through whever you go. We urge skiers to continue to use caution on any ice crossings - if in doubt go around or turn around.
We patrolled and cleared blowdown on the Hayes Brook Trail on Tuesday, but turned around just short of the Sheep Meadows. There's a good frozen track and significant snowpack in the Paul Smiths area remains despite the rain. Average snow depth here is 6-10".
Today we patrolled and cleared blowdown on the Connery Pond - Whiteface Landing Trail. Skiing is great out here with a good track (occasionaly shared with the snowshoe track), good coverage and a consistent packed powder base. Average snow depth here is 6-8", with noticeably more snow above the big hill on the way to Whiteface Landing.
National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for Thursday and Friday. 2-6" of new snow expected by Thursday night in the Lake Placid region followed by another 1-3 inches on Friday. If this turns out to be accurate we'll have some great skiing to bring in the New Year this weekend.
The next update will be issued Friday afternoon and will include a report on conditions in the High Peaks Wilderness.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- January 7 - ADK Winter Fest at Heart Lake, Adirondack Loj
- January 29 - 25th Annual Pool Party & Theresa Klauck Memorial Jackrabbit Trail Ski Tour
**Skier Bulletin**
The skier access to the top of the Fallen Leaf Trail via the dam/pond crossing located just below the Jackrabbit Ski Trail has been closed by the landowner. A fence and posted signage have been installed. Though the majority of the Fallen Leaf Trail is on state land, the top of the trail and the dam and pond are on private property. Please respect the landowner's property and comply with the closure. The Fallen Leaf Trail can still be skied as an out-and-back by starting from the bottom, where it intersects with the Jackrabbit Trail at the Whiteface Inn Rd crossing.
 Hayes Brook Trail - Dec 27, 2016 |  Connery Pond - Whiteface Landing Trail, Dec 28, 2016 |
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