Snowshoe conditions?

[adirondackcamper]

Hey there everyone. Hope everyone had a good new year. I just picked up a pair of snowshoes and I’m looking for a day hike tomorrow . How much snow is in the Lake George WF are? Also considering going to Pharaoh Lake WA. Thanks everyone

[Huginn og Muninn]

Try this webpage:

https://www.weather.gov/nerfc/snow

If you look below the first image (Current Snow Depth), you will find a clickable map as the second option down. The map can be slow to load, but will eventually display snow depth in inches near your selected location. I began using it last month and so far, it seems pretty accurate.

[DSettahr]

I've also found the Weatherstreet snow depth maps to be fairly accurate. It can take up to 24 hours for the site to finish updating after a big snowfall event but otherwise it's been pretty close by my observations.

Looks like there's about ~4+ inches on the ground throughout the southeastern Adirondacks at the moment: https://weatherstreet.com/city_snow_...snow-depth.htm

[adirondackcamper]

Originally Posted by DSettahr

I've also found the Weatherstreet snow depth maps to be fairly accurate. It can take up to 24 hours for the site to finish updating after a big snowfall event but otherwise it's been pretty close by my observations.

Looks like there's about ~4+ inches on the ground throughout the southeastern Adirondacks at the moment: https://weatherstreet.com/city_snow_...snow-depth.htm

Thank guys. I appreciate the links. DSettahr, in you opinion, is 4+ inches enough to justify using snowshoes? I’m really just looking for an area to try my hand at snowshoeing, as I’ve never used them before. The shoes I bought are, the Tubbs Wilderness 30’s

[Buckladd]

I live near LG, about 6 inches in the woods, more at higher elevations. Less in open areas. Got another 2 inches last night. Not enough for my wife and I to break out our snowshoes yet, but likely at higher elevations (Hogtown, Tongue Mt).

[DSettahr]

Originally Posted by adirondackcamper

DSettahr, in you opinion, is 4+ inches enough to justify using snowshoes? I’m really just looking for an area to try my hand at snowshoeing, as I’ve never used them before. The shoes I bought are, the Tubbs Wilderness 30’s

Probably not. Definitely not if it is powdery, new snow without any base- the built in crampons on the snowshoes will still be snagging roots and rocks buried just under the snow.

If it was older snow that had compacted into a solid base from an even deeper accumulation, it might be doable. But for 4 inches... while I'd still throw the snowshoes in the car just in case, I'd probably expect to more likely stick to just microspikes.

[Tick Magnet]

Just got back from southern Hamilton County and there was only 2-3 inches of snow at 1400'. Spikes were helpful, but not required as we were the first boots on the trail in quite some time.

[Dave Bourque]

From the NYSDEC website;

Snow Accumulation: The following provides current snowpack depths in inches as of 01/05/21 at a selection of Adirondack locations.

• Northwoods Club Road, Minerva, Essex County: 7.7 inches
• Goodnow Flow Road, Newcomb, Essex County: 7.6 inches
• Tahawus/Upper Works, Newcomb, Essex County: 7.8 inches
• Blue Ridge Road, Newcomb, Essex County: 7.5 inches
• Elk Lake Road, North Hudson, Essex County: 8.7 inches
• Lake Colden, Essex County: 11.4 inches
• Cedar River Road, Indian Lake, Hamilton County: 7.8 inches
• Sagamore Road, Long Lake, Hamilton County: 7 inches
• Haskell Road, Ohio, Herkimer County: 9.6 inches
• North Lake Road, Ohio, Herkimer County: 9.7 inches

[Dave Bourque]

Snow accumulations as of 1/19/21.

• Northwoods Club Road, Minerva, Essex County: 14.5 inches
• Goodnow Flow Road, Newcomb, Essex County: 14.3 inches
• Tahawus/Upper Works, Newcomb, Essex County: 13.1 inches
• Blue Ridge Road, Newcomb, Essex County: 16 inches
• Elk Lake Road, North Hudson, Essex County: 17.3 inches
• Lake Colden, Essex County: 27.1 inches
• Cedar River Road, Indian Lake, Hamilton County: 19.1 inches
• Sagamore Road, Long Lake, Hamilton County: 19.9 inches
• Haskell Road, Ohio, Herkimer County: 20.9 inches
• North Lake Road, Ohio, Herkimer County: 20.4 inches

[Dave Bourque]

From the NYSDEC website 2/3/21.

• Northwoods Club Road, Minerva, Essex County: 18.6 inches
• Goodnow Flow Road, Newcomb, Essex County: 18.8 inches
• Tahawus/Upper Works, Newcomb, Essex County: 18.2 inches
• Blue Ridge Road, Newcomb, Essex County: 21.4 inches
• Elk Lake Road, North Hudson, Essex County: 21.2 inches
• Lake Colden, Essex County: 27.5 inches
• Cedar River Road, Indian Lake, Hamilton County: 20.6 inches
• Sagamore Road, Long Lake, Hamilton County: 20.4 inches
• Haskell Road, Ohio, Herkimer County: 21.6 inches
• North Lake Road, Ohio, Herkimer County: 22 inches