Though we only got a dusting of snow overnight here in Schenectady, a lake-effect snow band off of Lake Ontario parked itself overnight in southwestern Schoharie County, with reports of 6-8" of snow on the ground. Ever the optimist, and eager to get back on skis, I headed to Clapper Hollow State Forest, in the middle of that action, and only about an hour from home. We skied there once last year, and the trails are mostly on old roads, so not a lot of snow cover would be needed to make it skiable.
Three trails leave the parking area. I knew that #10 to the right had a long uphill/downhill on it that might not have enough snow to be safe. #1 to the left still looked pretty overgrown and weedy, and not yet flattened out by earlier snows, so I opted for #4. My complete outing is highlighted in red.
It certainly looked and felt like winter here, with the temperature only about 18F, big winds, and blowing snow still falling.
But there were several problems. There's no base, the ground under the snow was not frozen, and there were wet spots, leading to gloppy ski bottoms which then iced up. Once I started up the hill, this was no longer an issue until I returned back down there later. The other problem was insufficient cover under the pines, the dark areas on the map. I was climbing through small rocks and roots, even thought I was on an old road. When I got to the top and looked down the other side at the stuff showing through the minimal snow, I wasn't the least bit interested in attempting that downhill. So I turned around and gingerly headed back down the hill I'd just climbed, much of it having the same problem. I thought I might go back and try #1, which was less piney, so better covered.
Back at the bottom, my skis iced up badly, including some mud, so after just a half-hour of skiing, I decided this just wasn't going to be worth the aggravation. It's an early season lesson to be relearned every year in our eagerness to get out on the snow, and today I learned it for this season.
Monday, December 6, 2010
XC Skiing - Clapper Hollow State Forest
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I live just a short couple hundred yards from The Clapper Hollow State Forest. The map shows 8 miles of cross country ski trails. Not all of them are passable, and you find yourself having two side step over Fallen trees and brush if the snow is not deep enough. With a 11/2-2 foot base this February, its not as much of an issue. We'll be heading in with some folding saws today to clear some of the worst areas. Trail# 10 is very overgrown with blackberries and downed trees from a recent wind storm, so I would avoid this one until some chainsaw work can be done. Westart from the Meade road side, where there is usually enough room to pull off the side of the road and Park, although there is not a parking lot like on The Clapper Hollow side. The first portion of the trail sometimes has truck tracks, which one filled with more recent snow are spaced just about perfectly in width, and after a couple skiers go through you would think you're up at Lapland Lake on groomed trails. We then take our first left, which heads up a short little Hill towards the lean-to and the pond. A perfect place to have a hot dog roast in the fire pit and a cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee. We continue on trail 6, which is in great shape and ski until the straight away above the sreep dropoff above trail 10, returning via trail #1 and the truck trail, which takes a little over an hour if you keep skiing. We will be attempting to ski past the aforementioned straight away today, where there is a nice stretch of large red pine, followed by some nice Hardwoods. Get out there and enjoy the skiing everybody. Can't always count on snow these last couple years, and you've got to do it while the getting is good! Take a screenshot of the the state forest trail map before you go because there is no service once you are in the woods.
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