Trail Info needed for Black Dome-Blackhead

[nekollena]

I am heading up Thomas Cole, Black Dome and Blackhead this Saturday. After the rain last weekend does any know hom much snow is still left up in those mountains?

[Mark Schaefer]

I have not been in the Blackhead Range area since the big snowfalls of February 23 through 28. During that period the nearby Windham Mountain Ski Center (Cave Mountain, 3100' summit) reported a total of 70 inches of new natural snow. Several nominal amounts of snow fell in early March.

During this past weekend of March 13-14 elevations above 1000' in the Catskills received mostly snow with a bit of rain (up to 1 inch) mixing in on Sunday and Monday. Windham Mountain Ski Center reported 10 inches of new snow at the summit and 8 inches of snow at the base lodge Saturday through Sunday morning. At the same time Maplecrest received 8 inches of snow and East Windham 9 inches of snow.

From what I gathered from reports of last weekend's tragedy on Blackhead there had been 6-7 feet of snow in the Blackhead Range going into the weekend. About 1 foot of snow fell during the weekend leaving 7-8 feet of snow on the ground by the end of the weekend.

It would seem most probable that there are still multiple feet of snow on the ground in the Blackheads. Hopefully some others will have first hand reports of the current snow depth and conditions in that general area.

[TFR]

In addition to what Mark said, the trail markers are obscured in many places. Tread carefully, and know your bail out routes. Don't be lulled by the warm temps, this can lead to rapidly rising streams, 'rotten' snow, and difficult conditions. Best to be prepared with crampons and snow shoes, (skip the micro spikes or stabilicers), and a muscle shirt. That ought to do it! :eek: :twisted:

[nekollena]

Thanks Mark and TFR for the info:tup: