Maybe there's a few patches of wet corn snow in the trails in the shade, but truthfully skiing and snowshoeing are over at Rockwood. So early this year.
I heard some talk at the last Foothills ADK Chapter meeting of doing trail maintenance in Rockwood as part of this year's National Trails Day, June 2. That would be welcome, fairly easy due to vehicular access, and a good investment based on how many people use the state forest.
Tomorrow is the first day of Spring!
Rockwood State Forest
Click the Photo for the Song of the Month---Richochei "Perfect Like You"
Monday, March 19, 2012
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Melting Fast
Yesterday, 8" of wet corn snow in the woods and the same on the trails for the most part. The drawback is dirty, icy sections that have developed under conifers, where the snow is often thin. In some places you can ski or walk around the ice; other patches are downright difficult, such as on hills.
Anywhere the tree cover is hardwoods there is decent skiing. The snow is soft, wet corn. I could punch my poles a few inches through it; it won't last long. On the bright side,--no matter the post-holing of some trails,--it's now soft enough to plow right through.
I skied the Forest Edge east to D-East Rd. and took that south to Camp Road Trail. Took that west to D-Spur and then skied Spring Rd. to Big Bowl, which has 10" of clean, nice corn. I started back via the C-Connector Valley Trail and skied across the forest on South Loop Rd, turned north on D-East and had to climb two bare slopes on that trail before getting out to the Forest Edge. I skied the Forest Edge back to the vehicle, getting in a few telemark turns on the downhill before the parking lot.
Myself and two other guys on skis crossed paths. They seemed to be making the most of what is left of winter in Rockwood.
Air temp: low 60's. 4:30pm-6:30pm
Skis: Black Diamond Polar Star's w/ 3 pin bindings, plenty of Swix Red/Silver kick wax for the wet snow.
Just a shirt and nylon running pants
Anywhere the tree cover is hardwoods there is decent skiing. The snow is soft, wet corn. I could punch my poles a few inches through it; it won't last long. On the bright side,--no matter the post-holing of some trails,--it's now soft enough to plow right through.
I skied the Forest Edge east to D-East Rd. and took that south to Camp Road Trail. Took that west to D-Spur and then skied Spring Rd. to Big Bowl, which has 10" of clean, nice corn. I started back via the C-Connector Valley Trail and skied across the forest on South Loop Rd, turned north on D-East and had to climb two bare slopes on that trail before getting out to the Forest Edge. I skied the Forest Edge back to the vehicle, getting in a few telemark turns on the downhill before the parking lot.
Myself and two other guys on skis crossed paths. They seemed to be making the most of what is left of winter in Rockwood.
Air temp: low 60's. 4:30pm-6:30pm
Skis: Black Diamond Polar Star's w/ 3 pin bindings, plenty of Swix Red/Silver kick wax for the wet snow.
Just a shirt and nylon running pants
Monday, March 12, 2012
Die-Hard Season
Sunday's warmth melted back the 2-3" of new snow from Friday night. Coverage is a layer of damp snow on top of a good firm base, with some ice in a few places.
D-Spur Road was heavily used by skiers, snowshoers, walkers, and pets over the weekend, but the side trails are in fine shape. There's at least 10" in the woods, but some trails are thinning, and there's some icy patches under overhanging conifers. The greater percentage of trails were nice and white and easy skiing on soft snow, a little wet, with a firm base.
I skied D-Spur to Spring Road to C-Connecter Rd., and shot down into Big Bowl with clean snow and singular ski tracks through the bowl. The C-Connector Valley Trail was untracked, so I had to try that. There's a few trees across the trail, but it's a fun run through the valley, which is really another little bowl. I took South Loop Road across the forest to D-East Road and out to Rte 29. The hills toward the end of D-East are thinning. Out by Rte 29, I skied the Forest Edge,--which was really good,---back to the parking lot.
Change is coming with this week's warmth. Trails should be okay for a few days. Avoid D-Spur as much as possible.
Air temp: 55 degrees. 4:30-6:00pm
Skis: Fischer Outtabounds (88-68-78), 3-pin set up. Too wide of a ski for mushy snow, but that's what I had on me when I decided to do my tour. Swix Red/Silver kick wax, smeared on tip to tail, for kick on the wet snow.
D-Spur Road was heavily used by skiers, snowshoers, walkers, and pets over the weekend, but the side trails are in fine shape. There's at least 10" in the woods, but some trails are thinning, and there's some icy patches under overhanging conifers. The greater percentage of trails were nice and white and easy skiing on soft snow, a little wet, with a firm base.
I skied D-Spur to Spring Road to C-Connecter Rd., and shot down into Big Bowl with clean snow and singular ski tracks through the bowl. The C-Connector Valley Trail was untracked, so I had to try that. There's a few trees across the trail, but it's a fun run through the valley, which is really another little bowl. I took South Loop Road across the forest to D-East Road and out to Rte 29. The hills toward the end of D-East are thinning. Out by Rte 29, I skied the Forest Edge,--which was really good,---back to the parking lot.
Change is coming with this week's warmth. Trails should be okay for a few days. Avoid D-Spur as much as possible.
Air temp: 55 degrees. 4:30-6:00pm
Skis: Fischer Outtabounds (88-68-78), 3-pin set up. Too wide of a ski for mushy snow, but that's what I had on me when I decided to do my tour. Swix Red/Silver kick wax, smeared on tip to tail, for kick on the wet snow.
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