ConditionsWeekend of 3/19-21

INTRODUCTION
      We're now past mid March with Spring officially happening this weekend.  Right on time, we have "spring" conditions and thankfully a pretty good base to carry us along.  Spring conditions also mean variable conditions depending on the time of day and the exact temperature - conditions that this report cannot precisely report. Friday will be below freezing in most areas, but after that Saturday will be in the 40s, and the rest of the week will see highs in the 50s.  The sunny skies each day will still mean below freezing temperatures each night (maple sugarer dream weather), but that will make for some frozen surfaces each morning.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail is still skiable.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: 20km      Track Set: 10 km 
          New snow: 3" last five days     Base Depth: 12"  Off Track 12"
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular.
          Remarks:  Ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  54km    Track Set: 52 km
          New snow: 3" last five days.     Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 12" on natural snow. Off Track 12"
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular.
         Remarks: 

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           40 km Open.  Most all trails groomed, many with set track. 
           New Snow:       Base Depth: 18"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular. 
           Remarks: 

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
                31" at Lake Colden
                4-5 feet above 4,000 feet

           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,  Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden remain crossable.  Wright Peak and Marcy Ski Trails skiable,  

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 and broken out after the snow earlier this week.
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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. 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. 

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

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Fully skiable, and snowmobile traffic has diminished.