Conditions 1/31/21

​INTRODUCTION

        No major accumulation of snow since the big storm two weeks ago, but the Lake Placid area has picked up another 6-8" of light snow in a succession of light flurries.   This makes for very nice surfaces pretty much everywhere.  Skis or snowshoes are now required by regulation for travel in the High Peaks. In other areas they are needed and should be used.       

        After the very cold temperatures Friday and Saturday, Sunday warmed into the teens; and Monday's high will be near 20. The big news is that we now have some more significant snow forecast for Tuesday, 4-8" possible. This may be enough to make some rougher terrain including the Marcy trail fully skiable.  Stay tuned.

             So far, the forecast doesn't call for a big drop in temperatures after the storm with highs in the 20s, warming to 30 by the end of the week, then a bit cooler over the coming weekend.


JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail is now skiable.  Both the Old Mt. Road and McKenzie Pass sections have been broken out.   Paul Smiths section has great cover, but no reports of what stretches have been broken out.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed: 15km      Track Set: 10 km 
          New snow: 2" last 48hrs     Base Depth: 9"  Off Track 15"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
          Remarks:  Ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  54km    Track Set: 53 km
          New snow: 2" last 48 hrs     Base Depth: 12" on man-made trails. 9" on natural snow. Off Track 15"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
         Remarks: 

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           40 km Open.  Most all trails groomed, many with set track. 
           New Snow: 3" -24 hours      Base Depth: 15"
           Surface Conditions:  packed powder
           Remarks: 
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
           With this snow, pretty much everything is now skiable, and skis or snowshoes are now required by regulation for travel in the High Peaks.  In other areas they are needed and should be used.  Avalanche Pass definitely skiable, although still a few rocks to avoid between Marcy Dam and Avalanche Camp. Avalanche Lake is crossable.  Wright Peak Ski Trail skiable, but approach on the hiking trail still rocky.  Marcy trail still likely somewhat rough for the first 1.5 mi. up to the bridge, but skiable cover beyond.  Whales Tail Ski Trail also reported in good shape.

                  Reports indicate that lakes that had been good skiing before all the heavy, wet new snow now are compromised with slush under the snow.  This problem may improve with the very cold weather this weekend, but for now no lake crossing can be assumed to be free of slush.  (You won't fall through, but you'll have very wet feet and iced up skis.)

Snow Depth at Lake Colden:   27"     Snow Depth at 4,000 feet (est.):  4-5 feet.
 
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and still a better choice than the hiking trail.  

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Skiable.  Old Marcy Dam approach has some water, but is the better approach.  Current hiking trail has some roots showing, but the bypass after the long bridge is in good shape 

AVALANCHE PASS: Skiable through to Avalanche Lake.  Avalanche Lake is frozen crossable.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable. Hills just past the summer parking are improved with the new snow. Connery Pond no longer skiable due to slush under the snow.
​
HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.   Parking area was plowed after the first storm.  We can hope that happens again

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, but loop back on the ponds likely not recommended to the above-mentioned slush condition.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  No report, but should be skiable to the falls without having to walk down both "Hemlock Hill" and the final switchbacks.  Plowing ends one mile from the parking area at the Corey's Road gate (now closed), but vehicles were being driven that far before the latest snow.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Parking area is now being plowed!  Washed out culvert at 1/2 mile is a bit of an obstacle, but can be easily negotiated on skis, and there is at least some old track broken to the ponds.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to both Camp Santanoni and Moose Pond. 

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable.  Some snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.