CONTINUED GOOD CONDITIONS Weekend 29-30

INTRODUCTION
        Since the original post on 1/24, conditions have remained good with a bit of new snow since the big snow last week. Some new flurries, but on this coming, Sunday 4-5 inches might fall. Continued cold, but at least getting well above zero each day. The good news is no thaw in sight through the Weather Underground 10-day forecast.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
          Entire trail is now skiable, and all sections between Keene and Saranac Lake have been broken out. Trail from McKenzie Pond Rd. to the pond is a bit "lumpy', but definitely skiable with just a few rocks and roots yet to be covered. The long descent from the pass to McKenzie Pond has an occasional "speed bump",  but otherwise that whole section is in good shape.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  10    Track Set:  10
          New snow:    Base Depth: 6"  Off Track 10"
          Surface Conditions:  packed powder
          Remarks:  

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  50 km    Track Set: 40 km
          New snow:    Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 6" on natural snow. Off Track: 10"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder 
         Remarks:  

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open: 35 of 40 km open.  Track set: 20 km
           New Snow:     Base Depth: 12"  Off Track: 17"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
​           Remarks: Building staffed Thursday - Sunday. All trails except for Fox Run packed. Track set on the edges of the wider trails. All other trails groomed. Hot food 12-3 and live music 2-4 this weekend

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:

                34" at Lake Colden
                3-4 feet above 4,000 feet
           
        
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable and likely still the better choice for skiing to Marcy Dam. At the trailhead on Adirondak Loj Rd., DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Finally skiable if still a bit rough. Marcy Brook is crossable above the breached dam.  No need to descend to the bridge over the brook below the dam.

AVALANCHE PASS: Finally skiable   Avalanche Lake is frozen and crossable, but use caution at the outlet. (If skied from the Meadows Lane/Marcy Dam Truck Trail trailhead, DEC Rangers do not want any parking on the right side of the plowed turnout. Good parking on the left side, and then there's the road.)

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable, but still a bit thin on the hills on the new start. Pond is crossable and is the best access..  

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.  So far this season, the parking area continues to be plowed. (Yay!)

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

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable.  

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Skiable. Parking area now plowed for 4-5 cars,  Parking on the road is possible - just not ideal. All culverts and bridges have been repaired/replaced. As of late December, one tree down just short of the ponds.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to Camp Santanoni. Moose Pond trail has some blowdown that may not be removed this winter.

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