Conditions Week of 1/18-1/23

INTRODUCTION

        Over the weekend, the Lake Placid area has picked up a total of 8-12" of snow.  The first 6" was very dense and wet, but additional snowfalls have been of lighter snow - a near perfect combination of a solid base with softer snow on top. 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.       

         The coming week will see occasional light snow, even a bit of sun, and temperatures remaining at or slightly below normal for mid-January.  Temperatures could be even colder by the coming weekend, but we'll report on that on Thursday, 1/22 when the forecast for the weekend is clearer.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail is now skiable.  Both the Old Mt. Road and McKenzie Pass sections have been broken out.  No report on the Paul Smiths section.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed: 15km      Track Set: 15 km 
          New snow: 11" storm total     Base Depth: 7"  Off Track 12"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
          Remarks:  Ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  54km    Track Set: 53 km
          New snow: 11" storm total     Base Depth: 12" on man-made trails. 7" on natural snow. Off Track 12"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
         Remarks: 

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  35  
           New Snow: 12 storm total"     Base Depth: 10""
           Surface Conditions:  packed powder
       Remarks: Most terrain groomed, some track set

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, and Avalanche Lake is crossable.  No report yet on the Marcy or Wright Peak ski trails.  Marcy trail still likely somewhat rough for the first 1.5 mi. up to the bridge, but skiable cover beyond.  The caveat is that it is likely there is a breakable crust under the lighter snow.
 
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. 

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 still a bit thin, but can be avoided by skiing across Connery Pond. Look for the Connery Pond Access sign just before the summer parking.  Once at the pond, ski at a magnetic bearing of 350 degrees to reach the best exit from the lake to the trail
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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, and loop back on the ponds no also skiable. 

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 not being plowed this winter, but for now at least some vehicles can access the parking area.  Washed out culvert at 1/2 mile is a bit of an obstacle, but can be easily negotiated on skis.

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

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Sufficient cover even at the start under the thick hemlocks.  Some snowmobile traffic along with the foot traffic.