It’s that slow death time of year in ilsnow land when the late March sun just eats away at anything exposed. But it has been rain-free and temperatures have fallen well below freezing at night, so nothing has gotten washed away.
Even the lakes have remained good riding. But that will change as we get a couple of rain events before the weekend.
There was pretty good snowmobile traffic around town on Saturday and I think most of the people who came up for their final ride were happy with what they got. 🙂
Snow Conditions
If you try to make your way around town this week, you’ll see a good deal of this by the exposed areas and near roadsides:
And this:
But in the woods, it’s a different story with snow pack still ranging from 6 inches to 1-2 feet around Indian Lake. The traditional snowbowls still hold over 2 feet of snow:
Bottom line:
Little doubt that you should be able to ride Perkins Clearing, Moose River Plains, Powley Road and the Speculator Tree Farm into April and even the Newcomb trail. By the weekend, you’ll need to park and ride almost directly into these places (in most cases).
Keep in mind that Town of Old Forge/Inlet trails close April 1st, no matter what. Moose River Plains will stay open as long as DEC deems there’s sufficient snow coverage. Town of Lake Pleasant will make the call as when to swing the gates shut on Perkins Clearing Road.
Note: The gate at the south end of Perkins Clearing Road is already closed; go to Mason Lake parking lot and work your way into Perkins Clearing Road from the north end.
Additionally, the Indian Lake Snowarriors were able to repair a blown axle bearing on their Tucker and groom the Newcomb trail up to the Essex County line on Sunday.
White lighting?
Yesterday evening’s ECMWF and some of the other model-ology are flirting with the idea of a rain changing to snow event Sunday night into Monday as a weather system moves through and draws some continental polar airmass (cP):
It would foolish to attempt any snowfall forecasts with an event several days away, especially with climatology becoming increasingly hostile toward significant snow events with each passing day. But snow events do happen this time of year, so it’s something to watch.
After that?
First week of April looks sufficiently cold to hold any snow we have left by then for the die-hards.
This panel shows an anomalously strong Polar Vortex (PV) pancaked under a NAO- blocking regime near Greenland/Davis Straits:
While this would be a truly cold set-up for mid winter, you need to keep in mind that daily maximum temperatures average in the middle-40s this time of year for Indian Lake. But there probably will be some days in which high temperatures would be hard pressed to make it into the 30s, yielding snow opportunities from any weather system that does pass through.
I gotta admit at least part of me wants it to warm up and melt away winter’s corpse. This cold spell will only maintain April’s hold as a generally miserable month here in ilsnow land, delaying the inevitable mud season and removal of snow-tires from my car.
But, if we get snow, you know I’m gonna find a way to ride it. 😉
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Prospect Point Cottages on Blue Mountain Lake. If you are looking for a quiet and scenic winter getaway, this place is for you with fireplaces, free hot brunch and snowshoes provided. The wintry view of Blue Mountain from across the lake is nothing short of amazing with a fresh mantle of snow!
