Weekend conditions 3/6/20

INTRODUCTION
         Looks like a great weekend for skiing.  An inch of new snow Wednesday night on top of a foot or more of solid base means everything is skiable.  Cold Friday night and a high in the upper 20s on Saturday will be followed by temps in the 40s on Sunday.  Next week will see a continuation of "spring" conditions - above freezing during the day and below freezing at night.  Some chance of new snow, but so far next week will have firm surfaces each morning before the snow softens later in the day.  So, don't miss your chance this weekend.

JACKRABBIT TRAIL
        Good cover from end to end, and all sections are well broken out.  Section in from McKenzie Pond Rd. is thin at the start, but improves as one skis toward the pond.  

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI CENTERS
          CASCADE X-C SKI CENTER:  
          Km Open and Groomed: 15   Km Track Set: 15
          New snow:      Base Depth: 10"  Off Track 20"
          Surface Conditions: Packed powder and hardpack
          Remarks:  Final Full Moon Party tonight - 8 PM

          MOUNT VAN HOEVENBERG:
          Km Open and Groomed:  45    Km Track Set: 45
          New snow:      Base Depth: 12"  off Track 20"
          Surface Conditions:  Packed powder and hardpack
          Remarks: All groomed and tracked, except the outer loop of the Ladies 5 km. 
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           PAUL SMITHS VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTER:
           Km Open and Groomed:  37  
           New Snow:      Base Depth: 25"
           Surface Conditions: Packed powder and hardpack
       Remarks:  All trails groomed.  Most track-set 

BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
            Snowshoes or skis are now required in the High Peaks.  There is 47" at Lake Colden and 6-7 feet at 4,000 feet. See introduction for a discussion of how surface conditions will "evolve" during the coming week.

WHITEFACE HIGHWAY:  Skiable all the way to the Castle.

MARCY DAM TRUCK TRAIL:  Finally enough snow to truly cover all the rocks.  

HIKING TRAIL FROM ADK LOJ:  Definitely skiable.  Old Marcy Dam trail is the better start as there are no problems with any brook crossings.

AVALANCHE PASS:  No rocks to dodge above Marcy Dam. Pass is in good shape.  Lake ice on Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden is being crossed. Be cautious around all inlets and outlets.

CONNERY POND TO WHITEFACE LANDING:  Fully covered and broken out.   Pond can be crossed to avoid the hills at the beginning.
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HAYS BROOK TRUCK TRAIL:  Definitely skiable to both Grass Pond and the Sheep Meadow,   Blowdown past the crossing of Hays Brook now cleared, but parking is not plowed.

FISH POND TRUCK TRAIL:  Fully covered and broken out to the pond. Several trees down on the long descent when heading toward Fish Pond, but none that come as too much of a "surprise". Return option via St. Regis and Little Clear ponds also broken out.  Some slush on Little Clear Pond, but no danger of falling through.

RAQUETTE FALLS:  A bit thin under some of the hemlocks, and there is a tree at the bottom of a hill about three miles in, but otherwise very skiable. Road is plowed to the parking area past the bridge over Stony Creek with a few spaces plowed at the parking area.

GULF BROOK ROAD TO BOREAS PONDS: Parking area has been plowed.  Tracks broken to the ponds.  Second washed out culvert that required a detour has now been shoveled (thank you Jim Brundage?) and is no longer an obstacle.  First culvert is now just a "speed bump". 

NEWCOMB LAKE ROAD TO CAMP SANTANONI: Good skiing as always. Moose Pond Trail also has good cover, but there is an undetermined amount of  uncleared blowdown.

AUSABLE LAKE ROAD:  Plenty of cover. Snowmobile and hiker traffic makes the surface less than ideal for skiing, but still acceptable.