Rockwood State Forest

Rockwood State Forest
Click the Photo for the Song of the Month---Richochei "Perfect Like You"

Monday, December 16, 2013

Breaking Trail

Swung into Rockwood, (well not exactly since the parking lot wasn't plowed), around 1pm. I parked along the road. We received a good 12" of fine grained snow, pretty lofty and staying that way with the cold temps, over Saturday night. I had to wonder who else was turned away from snowshoeing or skiing Rockwood due to the parking lot being inaccessible. I parked along the road. I figured I'd let the plow know where to go next ;) So I broke trail all the way to the Shorty Cut-Off trail, then skied the Ridge trail for the first time. If anyone followed my tracks later, they would see the Ridge trail is pure fun. If you're on the Shorty Trail (Southwest Map), you might start along the ridge from where the Shorty crests the top of the ridge, but I skied down the Shorty toward Big Bowl and then picked up the Ridge Trail at the bottom. It was a challenging climb to the ridge while breaking trail at the same time. After skiing the ridge east, I descended to the main trail and came out right where the old gate and sign stand in the woods, which is an old town marker of some sort. It was a nice loop. On the way out, I skied the Camp Road Trail to the chimney and then did the loop back to the main trail. A few chickadees and woodpeckers keeping me company in the woods. Was out about two hours. Skied my Fischer Snowbounds with three pins on them this year. Nice day, 21 degrees. All the trail are clear in Rockwood as far as I see it. Thank you to whomever cleared them of downed trees.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Nice Ridge Trail

Rockwood received 1 -1/2" Saturday night. Quite cold, windy day in the woods, on foot.

I swung into Rockwood and drove the roads to see if they were open and free of downed trees and they are. Then I walked the C-Connector Valley trail and that one has been cut out. Nice. Big Bowl has also been cleaned up.

I brushed out another less frequented trail by hand that leads to a very nice, sharp backcountry ridge with great views to the South and the path of the sun in winter. The trail starts off of the Shorty Trail (see the Southwest map) in view of the descent into Big Bowl, and climbs a bit before reaching the ridge. You can turn onto the ridge here but it may not be clear-going. I continued on the trail until it turned South and climbed to an old road-cut in the ridge, then followed the spine of the ridge East under mature trees with no underbrush. The sharp ridge (an esker?)is clear as day just north of the C-connector Valley Trail on the map, all the way to D-Spur. A nice new loop for 2014.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Wrapped up the Nordic Backcountry ski season at Nick Stoner Golf Course on April 6, with a couple laps on the course. I thought of seeing if any snow was left at Rockwood, but knowing my chances were better at Nick Stoner persuaded me to go there. It was worth it, with a few inches of corn snow and still some firm base. But it's over now. I've hung the skis up.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Went up North instead

Snow was very crusty on my local golf course in Gloversville over the weekend, so I had to assume it would be crusty at Rockwood. We went up north to Chub Lake north of Canada Lake/Areitta on Saturday and the lakes above 2000' are just perfect, a nice cover of powder on a firm base. On Sunday, I headed back up and toured Nine-Corner Lake and that was just as perfect. Plenty of snowmobiles for company, but plenty of solitude as well. You need good and decently wide backcountry skis as these untracked lakes would be difficult to ski with real x-c skinnies. I used my 88/68/78 Fischer Outtabounds, the widest bc skis I own. 88mm at the tip and 68mm underfoot gives very good float in deeper snow.

Maybe the trails throughout Rockwood are in better condition than my crusty golf course, but the option of visiting a lake up north is a good one too.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Time for New Snow

The interior trails were ice with a 1/2" of dry snow on top on Sunday, just bad. I bumbed into a couple on snowshoes who were disgruntled with the conditions, but had enjoyed their walk while carrying the shoes anyway. What saved the day for me was skiing the forest edge along the road, from the parking lot east to the other gate, about a half mile run. I skied it probably four times down and back on decent snow, enough to cut into and make light tracks. The sun rarely hits this snow due to its northern exposure. It's rolling terrain. Made a fine time out, about 1 1/2hrs. It was cold when I left at 4pm, about 16.

The storm coming will put things back in shape.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Cold weather but fine snow

      I skied Rockwood today and the first thing I heard when I got out of my vehicle was a great report from another gentleman who had just finished skiing. He said, with a wide grin, “It’s as perfect for skiing here as I’ve ever seen it.” I knew right then I was in for a great afternoon. The snow was fine and dry and the ski tracks were nicely groomed by previous skiers. On the flip side, there are several large blowdowns across the trails which are slowing things up. But hey, the snowshoers, skiers, and walkers at Rockwood today had nice snow and a fine sunny day.

Friday, January 4, 2013

New Snow

Looking good out there. I hope to ski Rockwood this weekend. Maybe someone has a report; there must be over 18" in the woods now.

Fulton County -- Precipitation Reports
TownAmountTypeSinceOn
Broadalbin
1.50"Snow7:00:00 AM1/4/2013
Caroga Lake2.00"Snow5:00:00 AM1/4/2013
Fish House1.50"Snow5:00:00 AM1/4/2013
Gloversville1.50"Snow1/4/20131/4/2013
Hamilton County -- Precipitation Reports
TownAmountTypeSince
On
Hoffmeister3.50"Snow1/4/20131/4/2013
Piseco3.00"Snow6:00:00 AM1/3/2013
Indian LakeTraceSnow6:00:00 AM1/4/2013