Weekend conditions 2/2-4

INTRODUCTION

No significant new snow this past week, and unfortunately not much chance of any significant new snow next week.The only "bright" spot is that we'll finally see some sun starting on Saturday. Temperatures will cool to seasonal norms Monday and Tuesday, but again warm to the low 30s by the middle of the week.  In the absence of much new snow, Mt. Van Hoevenberg is the only center reporting any set track, and that is only on the competition trails. Paul Smiths is also able to groom most of their system, but no report as of Friday of any set track.  In the backcountry and on the Jackrabbit Trail, only the gentler terrain can be recommended.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections remain covered, but most sections have surfaces that are still frozen and fast with only perhaps a dusting of new snow. The exception is the McKenzie Pass section above Whiteface Inn Lane where 1-1/2 - 2" of new snow has made that skiable with just a bit of attention required to avoid the still-exposed rocks.
​Also, a reminder of the logging ongoing between White Pine Camp and Jones Pond roads on the Paul Smiths section.

GROOMED CENTERS

        ADK CASCADE WELCOME CENTER (PREVIOUSLY: CASCADE CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTER)
         https://adk.org/cascade-welcome-center/   518-837-5047
           Km Open and Groomed:  12  Track Set: ?  
          New snow:  Dusting  Packed Base Depth: 3"   Off Track:5"   
          New Snow last 72 hours: Dusting 
          Surface Conditions: Groomed granular
          Remarks: All trails north of the brook are open. Fischer light backcountry waxable skis on sale for $50.00
Remember that Cascade is now owned by the Adirondack Mt. Club. Ski shop open as usual, and ADK members  ski free. 

         SCOTTS COBBLE NORDIC CENTER - NEW
         10 km of groomed trails on Craig Wood Golf Course - rentals, lessons operated by High Peaks Cyclery. Trail fee of $15/day - $10/half-day. Residents of the Tri-Lakes area ski for free (Donations appreciated)       scottscobblenordic.com.
518-523-9811 or 518-523-3742

          KM Open and Groomed:  ?   Track Set: ?
         New snow: Dusting    Packed Base Depth: 2-3"    Off track: 4"   
          New snow past 72 hours: Dusting
          Surface conditions:     Groomed granular       
          Remarks: No current report on their website, but there is evidence of grooming with continuous cover.

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
        https://mtvanhoevenberg.com/daily-update/   518-523-2811
          Km Open and Groomed: 42 Track Set: 5 km  
          New snow: Dusting   Packed Base Depth: 15" on manmade snow, 2-3" on Legacy trails   Off track:  5"
          New snow past 72 hours: Dusting 
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular  
         Remarks:  Legacy trails on X-C side open, including Porter, but set track only on the competition trails.  Empire State Games races this weekend will result in some temporary trail closures. 

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
         https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/  518-327-6241
           Km Groomed and Open: 25    Track Set: ?   
           New Snow: Dusting  Packed Base Depth:  5-6"  Off track: 6-8" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  Dusting
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular
​           Remarks:  Most trails reported as open.  Esker Loop still has a caution symbol.

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open: 5  Track set: ?
           New Snow: Dusting    Packed Base Depth: 2-3"  Off Track: 3-4" 
           New snow past 72 hours: Dusting 
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular
           Remarks: Lower trails have cover, and are skiable.  Upper trails ungroomed. .

           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open: 10   Track set:    no mentiion
           New Snow:  ?   Base Depth: 5"    Off track: 6-8"   
           New snow past 72 hours:  ?
           Surface Conditions:  Granular
​           Remarks:  The system has been groomed, but no recent grooming due to warm conditions. Free Maxiglide in the sign-in booth.

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS: Generally only the gentler terrain can be recommended due to the firm surface conditions. Those with AT gear or sturdy skis with metal edges my find some of the steeper terrain worth skiing.

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  26" as of DEC's Thursday, 2/1 report. 
                
                Skis or snowshoes are required by regulation in the High Peaks when the snow depth is  8" or above. Not now required at trailheads, but skis or snowshoes now required for those venturing to higher terrain. All storms to date have been definitely elevation-dependent, so expect much greater snow depth above 3,000 feet. And above 4,000 feet expect 5-6' since the earlier snow did not melt at that elevation.

WRIGHT PEAK SKI TRAIL:  No report, but still not likely skiable until above the hiking trail portion.

MARCY TRAIL:  Now reported as thin until just above 50-meter bridge. Skiable cover from there to Indian Falls and beyond.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable starting at the Toll House. Some windblown sections on the usual turns.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable to Marcy Dam, but there may still be a few rocks that are not fully covered.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ: Not skiable.    

AVALANCHE PASS:  Now skiable. Some rocks still to dodge between Marcy Dam and Avalanche Camp. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden now being crossed. On Avalanche Lake be aware of possible thin ice at the outlet.  If in doubt, go to the right shore a few yards before the outlet and use the foot bridge to cross.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable. Outlet to the pond is still not fully frozen, but some have found a way to cross the pond rather than skiing the bypass around the private land. Report of some recent snowmobile traffic due to the need to respond to an incident.

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: Parking lot is plowed.  Some trees down from an earlier windstorm, but not a real problem, and otherwise good skiing, except for the few hundred yards steeper hills after crossing the Osgood River. 

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable cover to Fish Pond, but the major hill two miles in from the register will require great caution.  No current report on the lakes, but the ice is good as long as there is no slush underneath the snow.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Skiable with caution. No plowing beyond the end of the town road. This adds about a mile each way to the ski.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Good cover to the ponds, although the steeper hills on the return to the trailhead will require caution.  Some spots plowed for parking as of 1/31. Please register if you ski there to help justify continued plowing.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: As usual, likely the best choice with these otherwise marginal conditions. Some improvements reportedly made with a snowmobile and drag.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: Skiable cover, but snowmobile tracks by Ausable Club workers will make it quite hard and fast.