Weekend Conditions 3/2-3 - sort of

3/3 Update: In case anyone is still hoping for skiing, now the Paul Smith's VIC has closed their trails for skiing. but says they are open for walking with traction aids. This probably puts the nearby hays Brook Truck Trail off the map for the moment as well. Both areas may still have an icy base, but another few days of potential record high temperatures will likely melt that as well. 

Brief Saturday, 3/2 update: Cascade Welcome Center now closed. The Whiteface Highway, our usual "ace in the hole" has many long bare sections on its upper reaches. Still skiable from the toll house, but the higher windy stretches are bare. 
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INTRODUCTION

After a week of wild weather, there isn't much good to report. Tuesday and Wednesday saw record highs, and Wednesday finished with high winds and driving rain as temperatures dropped below freezing. The earlier high temperatures melted much of the base, and the high winds mean some trails will have significant new blowdown. Saturday will be in the 40s with 50s predicted for Sunday.  So, and conditions reported below will indeed be "conditional"

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
         All sections remain at least white thanks to the bit of snow that fell Thursday morning. However, no section can really be recommended. The Old Mountain Road section up from Rick and River has been 'negotiated' on skis, but don't travel much farther than I did (3 miles) to try it. The section starting from Whiteface Inn Lane looked a bit better at the trailhead, but still pretty marginal. 

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:  5  Track Set: Where possible  
          New snow: 1/2"  Packed Base Depth: 1"   Off Track:3""   
          New Snow last 72 hours: 1/2" 
          Surface Conditions: Groomed granular on hardpack with icy spots.
          Remarks: Only some trails north of the brook are open, and not recommended for beginners. And for those with hope for better skiing net year. Fischer light backcountry waxable skis (my personal favorite) are 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:    Packed Base Depth:    Off track:    
          New snow past 72 hours: 
          Surface conditions:           
          Remarks: No current report on their website.

          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: 1"  Packed Base Depth:  2-4"  Off track: 4-6" 
           New snow past 72 hours:  1"
           Surface Conditions:  Groomed granular
​           Remarks:  Most trails reported as open, but report says not enough snow to do any grooming.  

            DEWEY MOUNTAIN:
           https://www.facebook.com/deweymountainrecreationcenter  518-891-2697
            Km Open:  Track set: 
           New Snow:    Packed Base Depth:   Off Track:  
           New snow past 72 hours: 
           Surface Conditions:  
           Remarks: Closed until conditions improve .

           TUPPER LAKE X-C SKI TRAILS
           https://www.facebook.com/Tupper-Lake-Groomed-XC-Trails-102907273119538/  518-359-8370
            Km Open:    Track set:    
           New Snow:  ?   Base Depth:     Off track:  
           New snow past 72 hours:  
           Surface Conditions:  
​           Remarks:  No current report

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS: Only some of the gentler terrain on the south side of the High Peaks can be recommended, but  the softer surface conditions this weekend will make that terrain somewhat user-friendly. Those with AT gear or sturdy skis with metal edges my find some of the steeper farther in terrain worth skiing.

                 Snow depth at Lake Colden:  22". 
                
                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:  Maybe skiable above the hiking trail portion.

MARCY TRAIL:   Probably not skiable until close to Indian Falls, and so far no reports of anyone actually skiing Marcy.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Icy but skiable starting at the Toll House. Some windblown sections on the usual turns.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL: Some bare spots reported to Marcy Dam, as of last weekend, so likely more after the warm temperatures this past week.  See trailhead photo from today.

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ: Not skiable.    

AVALANCHE PASS:  Now skiable, at least past Avalanche Camp. If still skiing,  rocks 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:  No current report

HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL: Parking lot is plowed.  Some trees down from an earlier windstorm, but not a real problem.,  Otherwise, still skiable.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  No report

RAQUETTE FALLS:  No current report.

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 2/20. 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. 

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD: Skiable cover once past the initial thick hemlock cover, but snowmobile tracks by Ausable Club workers will make it quite hard and fast even as the conditions warm.  

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