TACONIC CREST TRAIL skiing & hiking, north of Petersburg Pass, SNOW HOLE

 


Feb 17, 2014 - SNOW HOLE.  Taconic Crest Trail from Petersburgh Pass (el 2,000') Rt.2 on the NY/MA border.  2-3' of snow (perhaps too much?!) - very good skiing in & out of snowshoe tracks, uphills a bit of work in the troughs.  Bare-booted the initial steep section from road to kiosk but skied it on the way back.  Great view from White Rocks lookout (2,300') 2.5 miles in - the Taconics, across the Rensselaer Plateau to the Catskills.  Williams College/Hopkins Memorial Forest has cut down most trees on a hill before White Rocks to attract flora & fauna that was found here in the past.  The grotto-like Snow Hole did have snow in it,.  Most of the trail is in NY but a section is in VT.  Short side-trip on Birch Brook Trail which eventually drops 1,500' to Williamstown - nice conditions for that.  Mostly intermediate with one steeper hill.  6 miles, 4.7 hours. 

Jan 11, 2009 - THE SNOW HOLE & BALD MTN.  Taconic Crest Trail from Petersburg Pass at NY/MA border (~2,000').  Quite a few cars here ahead of us at 10:30am - telemark skiers & boarders like the old ski trails on Mt. Raimer.  Great conditions - good base topped with over 6" powder.  Very steep hill at start can be walked or skinned; one more fairly steep hill but intermediate overall.  Had to break trail over half the way.  Nice view from White Rocks a little before the Snow Hole.  Continued on to Bald Mtn (2,480'), trail gets very steep, found unmarked trail to the L which was less steep, used climbing skins, no open views.  7 miles, 5 hours.

Jan 2, 2006 - TACONIC CREST TRAIL N from RT.2 at Petersburg Pass. 3"-5" powder over minimal base, better off-trail (did some nice thru-the-trees runs) than on trail; some wet spots. Temp in low 30s. Snow stuck to trees like hoar frost. Bare-booted first steep 200 yds to Williams College's Hopkins Memorial Forest signboard. Soon have nice run downhill then moderately steep uphill (tricky on way back; would be better with foot+ of snow). ~1 mile in, bushwhacked E up Jim Smith Hill thru waist high brush for some views; sweet run NW back down to TCT. White Rock lookout @ ~2.8 mi. & 2,500'+ elevation - views of Mts. Greylock, Raimer & Berlin Mt while we ate lunch in the warm sun. Continued N with long sweet downhill run to col S of Bald Mt. Turned back & took 100 yd detour to the Snow Hole, a rocky grotto where ice is often found in summer. Skied in 2 states today - NY, VT - & MA was only yards away. Intermediate (+ today). 7 miles, 4.5 hrs. Fischer Snowbound skis. Use Maxiglide to keep snow & ice from sticking to base of ski especially when temps are over 25 degF. 


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