Conditions 2/24/20

INTRODUCTION
    Temperatures were into the 50s today, but this is not expected to be an extended thaw, so there won't be any significant loss of snow cover.  Temperatures through Thursday will be just above freezing for a high, but colder at night.  A mix of snow, sleet, and a bit of rain are in the forecast.  Then much colder on Friday (high of about 10) followed by somewhat warmer temperatures for the coming weekend.  

     Given today's warm temperatures, we need to hope for a few inches of snow before the weekend to cover up what will likely be some fairly hard and fast conditions once the temperatures drop.  Next update on Thursday, 2/27, after we know what has actually fallen from the sky and have a better idea of weekend weather.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
        Finally good cover from end to end.  Downhills could be quite fast after today's warm weather unless/until we get some snow.   All sections are well broken out.  Section in from McKenzie Pond Rd. is thin at the start, but improves as one skis toward the pond.  Whiteface Inn trailhead has much more snow, but will also be quite "firm" when the temperatures drop as will be the other trailheads toward Keene. 

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed: 15   Km Track Set: 15
          New snow:      Base Depth: 10"  Off Track 20"
          Surface Conditions:  Wet powder as of Monday
          Remarks:  Restaurant and ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  45    Km Track Set: 45
          New snow:      Base Depth: 12"  off Track 20"
          Surface Conditions:  Wet powder as of Monday
          Remarks: Groomed and tracked - everything except the outer loop of the Ladies 5 km. 
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           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  37  
           New Snow:      Base Depth: 25"
           Surface Conditions:  Wet powder as of Monday
       Remarks:  All trails groomed.  Most track-set 

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
            Snowshoes or skis are now required in the High Peaks.  There is 47" at Lake Colden and 6-7 feet at 4,000 feet. See introduction for a discussion of how surface conditions will "evolve" during the week.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Finally enough snow to truly cover all the rocks.  

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Definitely skiable.  Old Marcy Dam trail is the better start as there are no problems with any brook crossings.

AVALANCHE PASS:  Finally, no rocks to dodge above Marcy Dam. Pass is in good shape.  Lake ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is being crossed. Be cautious around all inlets and outlets.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Finally fully covered and broken out.   Pond can be crossed to avoid the hills at the beginning.
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HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow,   Blowdown past the crossing of Hays Brook now reportedly cleared, but parking is not plowed.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely fully covered from the parking area.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Finally enough cover for this classic tour. A bit thin under some of the hemlocks, and there is a tree at the bottom of a hill about three miles in. Road is plowed to the parking area past the bridge over Stony Creek with a few spaces plowed at the parking area.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Parking area has been plowed.  Tracks broken to the ponds and out onto the surface for an even better view.  Second washed out culvert that required a detour has now been shoveled (thank you Jim Brundage?) and is no longer an obstacle.  First culvert is now just a "speed bump" with the new snow.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing as always. Moose Pond Trail also has good cover, but there is an undetermined amount of  uncleared blowdown.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Plenty of cover, but snowmobile traffic makes the surface less than ideal for skiing, but still acceptable.