The Recovery Begins, but Slowly

INTRODUCTION

      Some additional dense precipitation last night and today that was more like snow than what had fallen before has brought some areas back to being more skiable.  Best bet is still the Newcomb LakeRoad to Camp Santanoni, but there are a few other possibilities.

      Temperatures will remain warmer than normal through Saturday, but not high enough to reduce what we have on the ground. Still, either ice skating or hiking may be the best choice for outdoor activities if you don't want to drive to Newcomb.  And be aware that many hiking trails are quite icy with traction aids (Microspikes or crampons) pretty much mandatory - especially given recent rain.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
        Only the smoother sections were really skiable before the thaw, and those sections should again be skiable once we finally get a few inches of new snow.  Unfortunately, those few new inches haven't materialized. So, for now no section of the trails can be recommended as skiable.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed:  3  Km Track Set: 3
          New snow:  1".    Base Depth: 3"
          Surface Conditions:  Wet powder with icy spots
          Remarks:  Restaurant and ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  8    Km Track Set:  1
          New snow:  1".    Base Depth: 3" 
          Surface Conditions:  Wet powder with icy spots
          Remarks:  Just the flatter trails on the X-C side. 

           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  25  
           New Snow:   0".    Base Depth: 6"
           Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
           Remarks:  Cover has held reasonably well, but their web site does not recommend skiing .

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
            Snowshoes or skis are required in the High Peaks when there is 12" or more of snow on the ground.   There is still nearly 12" at Lake Colden and 2-3 feet at 4,000 feet. As noted above, traction required on most trails and summits.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle, but there may be windblown stretches.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Still some cover, but not really recommended for skiing. 

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Not yet skiable.

AVALANCHE PASS:  Not yet skiable past Marcy Dam.  Lake ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is being crossed. Be cautious around all inlets and outlets - especially the outlet to Avalanche Lake where the safest course is to exit on the western shore and cross the outlet on the bridge.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Not yet skiable

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely still fully covered to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow, and the mostly gentle grades mean that the skiing is not too fast when icy.  Some blowdown past the crossing of Hays Brook.  Two of the trees are a bit of an effort to get around, but they don't detract from the overall experience.  Use caution on the steep hill that descends to Hays Brook.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely still fully covered from the parking area, and the gentle grades for the first two miles make that skiable even when firm.  A comment on an earlier report says that the big hill two miles in from the register is now at least "skiable", and that the downed trees that were a hazard have been cleared.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: 2" new snow on a 3" base. Parking area still hasn't been plowed as of 12/31, and parking on Blue Ridge Rd. is not ideal. Some culverts washed out in the Halloween storm, but they are crossable and will be more easily negotiated as we get more snow.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: 2" new snow on a 6" base. Definitely still the best choice for this week. Trees downed by the icing of the past few days have been cleared as far as the Moose Pond junction. Moose Pond Trail also has good cover, but there is an undetermined amount of  uncleared blowdown.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Now can be recommended for skiing with 2-3" of new snow on a thin but firm base. 

BURN ROAD IN THE WHITNEY WILDERNESS AREA NEAR BIG TUPPER LAKE:  Skiable with an inch or so of new snow on a firm 2" base.