Conditions 2/25/21

 Continued mostly great conditions, and the crust from last week's storm has been somehwat mitigated by new snow and some warm temperatures that "softened and blended" that hard crust with the new snow. Still, best skiing is on trails that were well broken out before last Tuesday, and have received good use since then. The skiing there is good, but quite a bit faster when the icy crust component is factored in.  Trails in this category include the popular sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and the trails leading away from ADK Loj. More specific reports (as we know them) are reported below.    

            Coming weekend weather looks good, although, high temperatures will be above freezing  Friday, Saturday on Sunday. This will mean somewhat icy conditions each morning. A slight warming trend forecast for next week, but no major thaw that will diminish the snowpack we have..
 
JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail is skiable, and all sections between Keene and Saranac Lake have ben broken out well enough that the crust is not an issue.  Paul Smiths section has great cover, and at least the White Pine Road to VIC section has been broken out. Those skiing the Old Mountain Road starting from Rock and River in Keene should use the "Additional Parking" area on the right just before the lodge.

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: 15"  Off Track 18"
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular and 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: 22" on man-made trails. 15" on natural snow. Off Track 18"
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular and packed powder
         Remarks: 

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           40 km Open.  Most all trails groomed, many with set track. 
           New Snow: 2" -72 hours      Base Depth: 20"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular and packed powder
           Remarks: 

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                33" at Lake Colden
                5+feet above 4,000 feet
           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, and most rocks to avoid between Marcy Dam and Avalanche Camp are now covered. Avalanche Lake is crossable.  Wright Peak Ski Trail skiable, although the crust is still an issue up high. The approach to the Wright Peak Ski Trail on the hiking trail now much improved.  Marcy trail now totally skiable, but again with the above cautions.  

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable. Still a better choice than the hiking trail as far as surface conditions go, but over a mile longer than the Loj approach.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Skiable.  Old Marcy Dam approach is the better start, but both approaches are skiable.  

AVALANCHE PASS: Broken out and skiable through to Avalanche Lake.  Avalanche Lake is frozen crossable.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable cover, but the crust may still be a problem. .
​
HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.   As of 2/19, parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!)

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and loop back on the ponds now very doable.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Fully skiable.  "Official" plowing ends one mile from the parking area at the Corey's Road gate (now closed), but the road and trailhead parking are being plowed.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Parking area is still being plowed, although not after the last few inches of new snow!  Washed out culvert at 1/2 mile is a bit of an obstacle, but can be easily negotiated on skis, and there is track broken to the ponds. Crust may be a problem at the more "southern" location.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to both Camp Santanoni and Moose Pond. Crust could be an issue, but no reports so far

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