Weekend Conditions 2/20-21 and beyond

​INTRODUCTION

          Continued mostly great conditions but crust from Tuesday's storm has created problems east and south of Saranac Lake. On trails that were well broken out before Tuesday, and have received good use since then, the skiing is good, but quite a bit faster when the icy crust component is factored in.  Trails in this category include the popular sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and the trails leading away from ADK Loj. More specific reports (as we know them) are reported below.    

            Weekend weather looks good. High temperatures in the mid 20s and an additional inch or so of snow on Saturday.  Sunny on Sunday.  A slight warming trend next week, but no major thaw.
 
JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail is skiable, and all sections between Keene and Saranac Lake have ben broken out well enough that the crust is not an issue.  Paul Smiths section has great cover, but no reports of what stretches have been broken out. 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: 15km      Track Set: 10 km 
          New snow: 2" last 48hrs     Base Depth: 15"  Off Track 18"
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular and packed powder.
          Remarks:  Ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  54km    Track Set: 53 km
          New snow: 2" last 48 hrs     Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 15" on natural snow. Off Track 18"
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular and packed powder
         Remarks: 

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           40 km Open.  Most all trails groomed, many with set track. 
           New Snow: 2" -72 hours      Base Depth: 20"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular and packed powder
           Remarks: 

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 most rocks to avoid between Marcy Dam and Avalanche Camp are now covered. Avalanche Lake is crossable.  Wright Peak Ski Trail skiable, and approach on the hiking trail now much improved.  Marcy trail now totally skiable.  Whales Tail Ski Trail broken out earlier, but no reports since the icing event on Tuesday.

                 Random notes from the field: 1) Botheration Pond Loop is skiable despite the loss of the 55-foot bridge over the East Branch of the Sacandaga Riveras snow on top of ice makes an easy crossing. 2)  Southern approach to Hoffman Notch is difficult due to no bridge over the West Branch of Trout Brook.  Northern approach is fine.

                 Between the earlier cold weather and the new snow, most lakes no longer have problems with slush.  Still, no guarantees-carry a scraper.
Snow Depth at Lake Colden:  34"     Snow Depth at 4,000 feet (est.):  5-6 feet.
 
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable. 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 cover, but reports indicate not much fun due to the crust. .
​
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 now 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. Crust may be a problem at the more "southern" location.

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing to both Camp Santanoni and Moose Pond. Crust could be an issue, but no reports so far

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