Quick update folks. Those of you reading this who live in the area will already understand the sad reality we are facing. For those that don't, we have unfortunately lost much of the snowpack this week. Today temperatures will exceed 60F and the National Weather Service has issued a flood warning with 1/2" to 1" of rain forecasted for this afternoon and evening. Colder temperatures will return this week but it will take some time (or one big mutha of a snowstorm) to bring back the trail skiing.
We cannot recommend skiing on any backcountry trails this weekend. In general, the ski trails outside of the High Peaks Wilderness are partially melted out, with a mix of slushy granular snow, hard water ice and bare ground, exposed rocks and roots, open drainages with fast moving run-off, and very challenging skiing conditions where the snow does remain. Golf course crossings along the Jackrabbit Ski Trail have very little cover. Additionally, we urge skiers and snowshoers to avoid all ice crossings at this time.
The only section of the Jackrabbit Trail that has mostly survived the meltdown is from Whiteface Inn Rd to the top of McKenzie Pass. Still good cover on this stretch but skiers attempting it this weekend should be prepared to encounter melted drainages and hard ice on some downhills. We do not recommend skiing through to McKenzie Pond Rd. The rest of the trail has little snow cover remaining. The Old Mountain Rd section still has snow on the Lake Placid end, but the beaver dam ponds can no longer be crossed safely, making it necessary to scramble around the ponds through the scree.
Below are some photos taken today, February 25, around 12pm.
We cannot recommend skiing on any backcountry trails this weekend. In general, the ski trails outside of the High Peaks Wilderness are partially melted out, with a mix of slushy granular snow, hard water ice and bare ground, exposed rocks and roots, open drainages with fast moving run-off, and very challenging skiing conditions where the snow does remain. Golf course crossings along the Jackrabbit Ski Trail have very little cover. Additionally, we urge skiers and snowshoers to avoid all ice crossings at this time.
The only section of the Jackrabbit Trail that has mostly survived the meltdown is from Whiteface Inn Rd to the top of McKenzie Pass. Still good cover on this stretch but skiers attempting it this weekend should be prepared to encounter melted drainages and hard ice on some downhills. We do not recommend skiing through to McKenzie Pond Rd. The rest of the trail has little snow cover remaining. The Old Mountain Rd section still has snow on the Lake Placid end, but the beaver dam ponds can no longer be crossed safely, making it necessary to scramble around the ponds through the scree.
Below are some photos taken today, February 25, around 12pm.
 Lake Placid side of McKenzie Pass section of the Jackrabbit Trail, at Whiteface Inn Rd trailhead |  Saranac Lake side of McKenzie Pass section of the Jackrabbit Trail, at McKenzie Pond Rd. trailhead |
 Jackrabbit Trail at River Rd trailhead in Lake Placid |  Old Mountain Rd section of the Jackrabbit Trail, below the trailhead on Mountain Lane |
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