Upper Saranac Lake, Thursday, 4/18/2013.
This time of year, people that like to boat and hike in the Adirondacks start asking about the snow and ice situation here. Questions this week have ranged from people asking about ice on specific lakes and ponds, to questions about snow and mud on the trails and one that asked about hiking
the Northville Placid Trail from Lake Durant to Route 28N.
the Northville Placid Trail from Lake Durant to Route 28N.
Doug at Whiteface, Friday, 4/19/2013
Believe it or not, Whiteface Mountain just closed for skiing and riding. I went Friday, April 19th and again today, Sunday the 21st, but this was the last day of operation for the season. This past week we have had warm temperatures and strong winds mixed with some rain and snow at times. Pretty typical stuff for April in the Adirondacks and even those of us that are diehard skiers have to say goodbye to winter.
So based on my ramblings during the last week or so, here is the unofficial report on outdoor conditions for the Tri-Lakes region.
Trying to save a dock from shifting ice.
Ice out: At the start of the past week the ponds and lakes were starting to turn gray, but they seemed to still be locked tight with ice. On Thursday, April 18th extremely high winds started to blow from the west-southwest and on the larger bodies of water the ice started to shift. On that day I watched as one of the local caretakers and her family tried to keep the moving ice from destroying a permanent dock that was ill-advisedly built two years ago. It seems like they may have had some success, but I’m sure the ice will win one of these years. It always does on the west facing shores.
Shell ice on Upper Saranac Lake, 4/20/2013
On Friday April 19th, Lake Colby was about 1/3 covered in the morning, but clear by mid-afternoon. Lake Clear seemed tight that afternoon, but was on
the way out by evening. Saturday the 20th, Upper Saranac Lake cleared completely except for about 200 feet of rolling shell ice in the Northeast Bay and about the same amount of weak ice around the boat launch in Back Bay.
the way out by evening. Saturday the 20th, Upper Saranac Lake cleared completely except for about 200 feet of rolling shell ice in the Northeast Bay and about the same amount of weak ice around the boat launch in Back Bay.
Some shoreline ice lingering on Folensby Clear Pond.
As of Saturday, April 20, 2013 here is what I have seen:
Ice free are;
Lake Colby, Upper Saranac Lake, Lake Clear, Folensby Clear Pond, Fish Creek Pond, Square Pond, Whey Pond and Rollins Pond.
The smaller ponds without much wind exposure still have some ice; Church Pond and Osgood Pond in Paul Smiths are still ice covered.
Ice free are;
Lake Colby, Upper Saranac Lake, Lake Clear, Folensby Clear Pond, Fish Creek Pond, Square Pond, Whey Pond and Rollins Pond.
The smaller ponds without much wind exposure still have some ice; Church Pond and Osgood Pond in Paul Smiths are still ice covered.
Lake Placid from Little Whiteface Mt. Still frozen, Sunday, 4/21/20013
While skiing today I looked down on Lake Placid to see it frozen
everywhere except the far western end. Rumor has it the lake trout are active near the edge of the ice shelf there.
Our friends at St. Regis Canoe Outfitters have been checking the ponds along the Floodwood Road. Contact them or check their Facebook posts for updates.
Ice on the first 100 yards of the Baker Mt. trail.
Snow in the woods and on the trails.
A week ago winter was still locked in fairly tight with only the south facing slopes free of accumulated snow. I climbed Baker Mountain, one of the Saranac Lake “6”, on Thursday, April 11th and except for the first 100 yards the trail was almost all ice free. As the trail was very muddy, I kept my microSpikes on for the entire hike; they were helpful.
A week ago winter was still locked in fairly tight with only the south facing slopes free of accumulated snow. I climbed Baker Mountain, one of the Saranac Lake “6”, on Thursday, April 11th and except for the first 100 yards the trail was almost all ice free. As the trail was very muddy, I kept my microSpikes on for the entire hike; they were helpful.
The only patch of snow on the Poke-O-Moonshine trail.
This past Wednesday, the 17th I climbed Poke-O-Moonshine down in the ChamplainValley. My friends and I picked this trail because we knew the trail would be relatively dry and there would be little or no snow on this lower elevation trail. It was a beautiful day and we only encountered a few small patches of snow and ice; we never needed to break the spikes out.
Looking at the north facing slopes of other mountains from the summit of Poke-O-Moonshine we could still see large patches of snow. In the upper elevations there is still substantial snow that likely requires traction
devices or snowshoes.
If we have some nice days in the next week I hope to hike Haystack and/or ScarfaceMountains, both are Saranac Lake 6er peaks.
Looking at the north facing slopes of other mountains from the summit of Poke-O-Moonshine we could still see large patches of snow. In the upper elevations there is still substantial snow that likely requires traction
devices or snowshoes.
If we have some nice days in the next week I hope to hike Haystack and/or ScarfaceMountains, both are Saranac Lake 6er peaks.
The Eastern High Peaks still snow covered on Sunday, 4/21/2013
Trails with mud or water running on them can be easily eroded, so choose your routes to avoid these conditions.
Wearing PFDs on a spring paddle.
Cold Water Safety
Cold water can be extremely dangerous. For about a minute after entering the water, Cold Shock Response will affect your breathing. In response to rapid skin cooling initially there is an automatic gasp reflex. In a capsize situation if the
head goes underwater, water may be breathed into the lungs during the gasp causing drowning. A life jacket or PFD helps keep your head above water and can prevent this.
Hypothermia is also a danger, depending upon the person and what they are wearing. Moderate hypothermia will occur between 5 and 30 minutes after submersion in cold water. A wet suit or dry suit will provide thermal protection and minimize the Cold Shock Response and hypothermia.
In New York State, paddlers are required to wear a PFD between November 1st and May 1st.
Cold water can be extremely dangerous. For about a minute after entering the water, Cold Shock Response will affect your breathing. In response to rapid skin cooling initially there is an automatic gasp reflex. In a capsize situation if the
head goes underwater, water may be breathed into the lungs during the gasp causing drowning. A life jacket or PFD helps keep your head above water and can prevent this.
Hypothermia is also a danger, depending upon the person and what they are wearing. Moderate hypothermia will occur between 5 and 30 minutes after submersion in cold water. A wet suit or dry suit will provide thermal protection and minimize the Cold Shock Response and hypothermia.
In New York State, paddlers are required to wear a PFD between November 1st and May 1st.
Be safe out there and minimize your environmental impact. Let someone know where you are going and practice Leave No Trace (LNT). Have a fun spring.
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