TIRRELL POND cross country skiing on the NPT

 

Mar 14, 2022 - the video

Mar 14, 2022 - TIRRELL POND from the south, Rts 28/30.  Temp rising thru the 30s, plenty of snow with 8" powder on top of a good base, rolling intermediate terrain.  No one had signed in for 9 days but breaking trail was not too difficult.  Fun hills come early then you go thru easement lands where the logging roads of Finch, Pruyn cross the trail.  A short detour to the edge of O'Neil Flow reveals a good view across a vly to Snowy Mtn.  Several crossings of small brooks were not too difficult thanks to good ice/snow bridges (that could change later this week with warmer temps).  Back into state land (Blue Mtn Wild Forest) & soon arrive at the new bridge (there used to be a narrow log bridge here that I would never attempt to cross in winter) over the scenic outlet of Tirrell Pond which leads to a short trail to the O'Neil lean-to for lunch.  Skied out onto the E side of the pond (1,919' el) to get a look at Blue Mtn (3,750') which was a bit of a disappointment with its radio towers - the view of the steep rocky sides of Tirrell Mtn (2,953') was lovely, however.  Spotted a mink/otter (black color makes me think mink, but other clues make me think otter) running near shore & got a close look at holes in the ice that I suspect could lead to its home.  Headed back the same way.  Very good skiing overall - a bit sticky on the way in, a bit slow on way out as the snow warmed.  -~8 miles, 4.6 hours.

 

Mar 23, 2014 - TIRRELL POND thru ski from Adk Museum to Lake Durant.  Great skiing on 6" powder on top of 2' of base - made the skiing a bit too easy tho;)  Gorgeous sunny day with temp rising into low 20's.  The strong sun did make the snow a little sticky in the pm but nothing that an application of Maxiglide couldn't cure.  Easy breaking trail to the pond, the 470'drop in a mile was too easy.  Lunch at lean-to.  Skied down middle of pond, no slush or wet spots, Blue Mtn to the W, rock face of Tirrell Mtn to the E, very scenic & a tail wind too!  Northville-Placid Trail south (rolling terrain) looked like someone had skied in a couple of days ago, 1'" fresh snow in their tracks.   Good view over to Snowy Mtn fron O'Neil Flow.  8+ miles (skied some hills twice), 4.6 hours.

Jan 29, 2012 - TIRRELL POND from the S.  20" of snow, 7" of powder on top of icy/wet base - very good skiing (a band of lake-effect snow hung over the area yesterday, got reports this morning of 5" new in Indian Lake).  Northville-Placid Trail.  Broke trail all the way - not too hard.  A narrow log bridge (no handrail) a few feet over the outlet leads to O'Neill lean-to - I opted to ski out onto the pond (a little slush) well away from the outlet then over to the lean-to.  4.6 hours. 

Feb 16, 2004 - TIRRELL POND ski, near Blue Mountain Lake.  Perfect conditions - 2'-3' powder - trail nicely "groomed" by previous skiers.  Northville-Placid Trail N from Rts.29/30 Lake Durant.  A rollercoaster of a trail which seldom stays flat for long, some short steep sections, couple of sharp turns - you will work all of your intermediate skiing skills - snowplows, herringbones, sidesteps, wedge turns, etc.  Stop for a view across O'Neill Flow to Snowy Mt. & Blue Ridge.  Much of trail is thru second growth forest of skimpy hardwoods owned by Finch Pruyn Paper - state land is reached before O'Neill leanto on S end of Tirrell Pond.  This leanto faces N & feels cold. Skied 1 mile to N end of pond (steer well free of inlet & outlet at N & S ends due to thin ice & wetness) to Tirrell leanto with desirable sunny southerly exposure. Clear cobalt skies offered nice views of Blue Mt. (hate that radio tower) to the W & rocky Tirrell Mt. to the E.  Temp rose to 15°F.  Back the way we came - lots of enjoyable runs.  9 miles; 5.5 hrs.  Fischer Rebound skis ; Masters Snowtour 2 adjustable poles of 7075 aluminum are my regular poles & have served me well for 3 years now.  Another member of our party had new light duty 5083 aluminum poles & managed to bend both - these are meant for light duty use at the touring centers.  Poles for bc use should also have large baskets for good flotation in deep powder

Feb. 13, 2000 - Tirrell Pond from the west. Just about the best skiing of the year - trail gently used by skiers & snowshoers creating slight but not too deep trough. Glide & control on Lookout skis were sweet. Beginning of trail was being used by snowshoe racers who were going up Blue Mtn. & down the access road to the north then out. After that point saw only 3 other people. Before reaching Tirrell Pond trail drops 500' in about a mile - just pure pleasure! Couple of steeper spots along the way for a bit of challenge. Tirrell Pond is in attractive setting between Blue Mtn. & Tirrell Mtn. which has a lot exposed rock. Had previously did this as thru trip coming out by Lake Durant but this was in & out the same way. The hill climb on the return was not as bad as expected & still had enough energy to ski up the Blue Mtn. access road until it got so steep that climbing skins or snowshoes were necessary - the downhill return was fun. Hoping the Adks. get mostly snow Monday - Albany area getting mostly rain

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