Weekend Conditions 2/6-7/21

​INTRODUCTION

        No accumulation of snow since last Tuesday's big storm two weeks ago, but the Lake Placid area now has 2 or more feet of snow on the ground - just as it is supposed to be in mid-winter. This makes for very nice surfaces and conditions pretty much everywhere.  Skis or snowshoes are now required by regulation for travel in the High Peaks. In other areas they are needed and should be used.       

        Temperatures this weekend will remain below freezing, but not too much below, so just about ideal for getting out.  Somewhat cooler going in to next week, but no deep freeze, and more importantly, no thaw in sight.

 JACKRABBIT TRAIL

          Entire trail is now skiable, and all sections between Keene and Saranac Lake have ben broken our.  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: 12" last 48hrs     Base Depth: 15"  Off Track 18"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
          Remarks:  Ski shop open

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  54km    Track Set: 53 km
          New snow: 12" last 48 hrs     Base Depth: 22" on man-made trails. 15" on natural snow. Off Track 18"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder
         Remarks: 

​           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           40 km Open.  Most all trails groomed, many with set track. 
           New Snow: 12" -72 hours      Base Depth: 20"
           Surface Conditions:  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 also reported in good shape and broken out

                 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:   27"     Snow Depth at 4,000 feet (est.):  4-5 feet.
 
WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable, and still a slightly better choice than the hiking trail.  

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Skiable.  Old Marcy Dam approach has some water, but is the better approach.  

AVALANCHE PASS: Broken out and skiable through to Avalanche Lake.  Avalanche Lake is frozen crossable.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Skiable. Hills just past the summer parking are improved with the new snow. Connery Pond again skiable with the new snow.
​
HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely very skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow.   Parking area continues to be plowed. 

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

RAQUETTE FALLS:  Fully skiable.  Plowing ends one mile from the parking area at the Corey's Road gate (now closed), but vehicles were being driven that far before the latest snow.

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 at least some old track broken to the ponds.

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

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