Weekend conditions 2/9 - 2/11

UPDATE 2/11/24:  As feared, the very warm temperatures on Friday and Saturday have resulted in serious deterioration of lower-elevation trails. Cascade Welcome Center is closed, Mt. Van Hoevenberg is back to just the man-made snow on the competition loops, and the report from the Paul Smith's VIC doesn't sound much better. And based on a quick inspection between competitions at the ski jumps on Saturday, the comment below about the Marcy Dam Truck Trail is accurate. Still skiable snow above 2,500-2,800 feet, but that's about it.

Temperatures will remain below freezing for the coming week, but so far it appears that the coastal storm will remain "coastal". The Catskills and the Berkshires will be about as far north as any significant snow will fall. 

So, back again to Microspikes.

INTRODUCTION

Again, no significant new snow this past week, some warm temperatures for the weekend, and unfortunately not much chance of any significant new snow next week.

Somehow, we still have cover on most trails, and the warm conditions will make some of the steeper terrain more skiable over the weekend - at least until it cools down a bit next week.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections remain covered, and the warmer weather will make all sections skiable, but with just a bit of attention required to avoid the exposed rocks that will, or have already melted out with the warm sun .
​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: Where possible  
          New snow:  Packed Base Depth: 2-4"   Off Track:5"   
          New Snow last 72 hours: 
          Surface Conditions: Groomed granular on hardpack
          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: 10?   Track Set: ?
         New snow:    Packed Base Depth: 2-3"    Off track: 4"   
          New snow past 72 hours: 
          Surface conditions:     Groomed granular on hardpack       
          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: 40    Track Set: 5 km  
          New snow:   Packed Base Depth: 15" on manmade snow, 2-4" on Legacy trails   Off track:  5"
          New snow past 72 hours: 
          Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular  
         Remarks:  Legacy trails on X-C side open, including Porter, but set track only on the competition trails.  

​           PAUL SMITH'S VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
         https://www.paulsmithsvic.org/trailconditions/  518-327-6241
           Km Groomed and Open: 25    Track Set: Where possible   
           New Snow:   Packed Base Depth:  5-6"  Off track: 6-8" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  
           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: 5
           New Snow:    Packed Base Depth: 2-3"  Off Track: 3-4" 
           New snow past 72 hours: 
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular
           Remarks: Lower trails have cover, and are skiable with set track.  Upper trails now reported as closed .

           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 lack of good cover, but  the softer surface conditions this weekend will make more terrain somewhat user-friendly. 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, 2/8 report. (same as last week despite warm temperatures.)
                
                Skis or snowshoes are required by regulation in the High Peaks when the snow depth is  8" or above. Not now required at most trailheads, but skis or snowshoes 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:   Skiable cover above 50-meter bridge, but so far no reports of anyone actually skiing Marcy.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  No real change: Skiable starting at the Toll House. Some windblown sections on the usual turns.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable to Marcy Dam, but there are 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.,  Otherwise good skiing, without any problem on the few steeper pitches due to the warmer conditions.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Skiable cover to Fish Pond, and now good skiing with the warmer surfaces.  Ice on the lakes is good with no slush under the snow.  

RAQUETTE FALLS:  No current report, but likely still skiable with caution. Now possible to drive beyond the end of the town road but no report on the parking at the actual trailhead. .

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS:  Good cover to the ponds, although the steeper hills on the return to the trailhead will require caution if the surfaces are firm and fast.  Some spots plowed for parking as of 2/5. 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.