Snowiest area in the Adirondacks

mink319 · Dec 29, 2003

I am interested in what you think is the snowiest area in the Adirondacks. I mean which area usually has the most snow on the ground, gets the most in big storms, and has the most frequent snow showers.
I would say the Central/Western Adirondacks are because they get lots of lake affect snow, and are still hilly enough to get the leeward/windward affect.

adkleaddog · Dec 29, 2003

Here's a very good resource......

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/nerfc/snow.shtml

NYBRAD · Dec 29, 2003

I don't know if this is a trick question or not but, I would say the High Peaks OVER 4000 ft. Very rarely is there 8 ft of snow on the ground in the lake effect areas. It's quite common to see trail markers high on the trees buried under at least 6ft of snow in the high peaks. It also is less effected by rain and warm ups. So it hangs around longer.

raftingguy · Dec 29, 2003

I voted for the High Peaks region for the reasons Brad mentioned. If the higher altitudes were omitted, I would vote for the central/western adirondacks but since they weren't I went with the High Peaks.

mink319 · Dec 29, 2003

Elevation...

Of course the high peaks above 4000ft have the most, but what I was looking for is the most snow at the same elevations. I am sorry I didnt phrase the question right. What I meant is that which area do you think is snowier, 2000ft in the Central/Western Adirondacks, or 2000ft in the High Peaks area.

NYBRAD · Dec 29, 2003

Tug Hill then

Then I would say the Tug Hill area.
It is the snowiest place east of the Rockies with an average snow fall of 250 inches per year.

adkleaddog · Dec 29, 2003

West and north of Piseco, to the Tug Hill, as NYBrad mentioned....Old Forge and the surrounding area is a snowmobiliers paradise.

When I shoe into the backcountry in that "general area" the snow at times is usually over four feet deep (around 2000' to 3000'), and of course higher at elevations.

About five years ago I had to dig to gain access to a leanto...(not an uncommon practice though)..

bigmoose · Dec 30, 2003

Come to Big Moose Feb-Mar-Apr. You will find there's still a place for the old wood frame bearpaws. Too much soft lake effect for plastics or metal frames (and no need for crampons.)
If you like steady snow (thank you Lake Ontario) and don't mind the continual backdrop of snowmobile noise, this is it.

raftingguy · Dec 30, 2003

In that case Mink, I am going with the consensus and saying the Tug Hill area as well.

bigmoose · Dec 30, 2003

although Tug Hill is not in the Adirondacks.

NYBRAD · Dec 30, 2003

Thats true......

Ok Big moose it is.

Although the area around Azure Mountain always seems to get dumped on pretty good.

I'm sure each area has it's snowy years, and not so snowy years.

Whats your total so far this year?

Snowiest area in the Adirondacks

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What do you think is the snowiest area in the Adirondacks?

High Peaks Region

Southern Adirondacks (Fulton County)

Central/Western Adirondacks (Herkimer+Hamilton Counties)

Northern Adirondacks (Franklin, Clinton, St. Lawrence Counties)

Lake George Saratoga Region

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