Egypt Road or SkyFields/Jackson Hill?

On 1/31/2013 11:04 AM,  Glenn wrote:

Hi,

I am bringing a group from NJ to ski Presidents Day weekend at the 3 different trail sets.  I figure since we will be there at around noon that Friday, the Canal Trail with its Domser Road Trail off-shoot will be a good place to start.  Saturday or Sunday, we plan on skiing either Egypt Road or Skyfields on Jackson and Monday morning, we will ski whichever one of those two we didn’t ski before.  My question is, since we will need to be on the road by around 1pm Monday to go back to NJ, which of these two trail sets has more trails?  I would like to set it up to ski the largest set of trails when we have a whole day to ski.

I have brought groups before to your beautiful ski trails.  We always ended up going to the Canal Trail on our first day and Egypt Road on our last day and as a result, have never made it to the Great Trail section of Egypt Road Trails.  We have also never made it to the SkyFields on Jackson Trail set.

Thank you in advance!

Glenn

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 Hi Glen...

Based upon your information, I would suggest the following:

Friday:  Continue with your practice of starting the weekend with the 
Canal Trail. Assuming you are doing out-and-back (from either end), your
skiers can go whatever distance their stamina can handle. If you have 
never started at the Trails End parking lot at the south end, you might 
try it this year.  That way it is basically a slightly uphill ski 
outbound, and a downhill ski back to the cars. Or, if your group can do 
it...spot cars at both ends and ski the whole distance, with part of the
group skiing north to south and the other south-to-north. 

Saturday/Sunday: Since you haven't been able to do the Great Trail yet, I suggest you go to Egypt Road and spend the day there...having lunch at the warming hut. Start at either parking lot, or, again, perhaps spot cars 
at either end.
 
Monday: Head to the Jackson Hill trails. You won't be able to cover all 
of the trails in a morning, but your group members can choose a route 
based on their individual skill level.  trails. 

My suggestion? Less experienced skiers can use the trails on the north side of Jackson Hill Road: Into-the-Woods, the Easy Loop, and Skyfields.  Better skiers will be challenged by the south-side trails...the Serpentine Loop, Hillside and Telemark trails.  The Into-the-Woods trail to the Adirondack Field trail is a relatively easy two hour loop that brings you back by the warming hut.

I suggest that you print out color trail maps for all skiers from our "Trail Conditions" pages.  This way they can all be comfortable about where they are are any time. 

Please note that you will have no Verizon Cellular service on or near the SkyFields trails. There is also no cellular service at all on the lower (southern) half of the Canal Trail.

Have a great weekend!

Jackson Hill Warming Hut Locked?

On 1/29/2013 8:28 AM, Joanne wrote:

Is the Jackson Hill Warming Hut open to the public?  If so, when?

We had a perfect day skiing your wonderful trails on Sunday, Jan 27. We went to the hut at about 1:00 to have our lunch, but the building was locked.
 Have been there in years past and enjoyed the added amenity.

 

Thank you for this beautiful system of trails. I have enjoyed it many times when there is poor skiing everywhere else.

Joanne

Rensselaer, NY

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BREIA Response:

Joanne....
Thanks for alerting us to this. The warming hut should not have been locked.  It must have happened inadvertently by a maintenance worker. We will have someone up there this afternoon to unlock it.  We apologize for the inconvenience Sunday.  
It should not have happened. The building is open for use by the public during the entire ski/snowshoe season.

Feb. 9th event

On 1/26/2013 10:50 AM, Marilyn wrote:

Hi,

Is there an event planned for Feb. 9th or an Open House in the near future? Where can I get info on this?
Thank you.

Marilyn

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BREIA Response:
The Feb 9 event at the upper Egypt Road trails is as follows:

Slip Sliding Away Event hosts open trails for the public  for  Snowshoeing at the BREIA TRAILS. 
We  will provide  snowshoes, guides and maps and a hot beverage at no cost.  Check conditions at:   breiax_countryski.org
Date: Feb. 9th  Time: 10:00 to 1:00pm  
Location:  Alder Creek Gorge BREIA (upper parking lot), 9338 Egypt Road, Boonville
Sponsored by the Central North Zone  NYS Association for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance
A great family event; see you there.

 Please note that while snowshoes are available for free loan, there are no skis available for this event at Egypt Road.

Ski report 1/25/13 on Canal Trail

Super grooming this morning made for a wonderful 15k of classical skiing.  My hat is off to the crews that did the grooming.  The canal trail grooming is comparable to the finest you can find anywhere.  Thanks,  Tony Rabasca

Feb 16

On 1/20/2013 5:11 PM, TMC wrote:

What would be the chances of an event similiar to the one you are hosting on the 9th of February? We are interesting in snowshoeing, but would need to rent snowshoes and have guides and a map. There would be two kids under 7 joining us also, if possible.

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On 1/21/2013, BREIA responded:

 Unfortunately, BREIA does not have  snowshoes available and we do not have any program staff. The Feb 9 event is sponsored primarily by a state-wide organization. However, if you might be interested in trying cross- country skiing,  February 16 is a Saturday. On Saturdays, you can rent (borrow for a donation) cross-country skis from Boonville Search and Rescue at the Canal Trail trail-head in Boonville (adjacent to the Headwaters Plaza on State Rt. 12).  Guides are not available, but you can download trail maps of any of the BREIA trail systems from the BREIA website link, "Where We Are".
You kids are more than welcome to join you!

Canal Trail - Sunday 1/20 by Timothy

Skied the Boonville Canal trail today 1/20 from the SAR building to Jackson Hill and back. Trail is adequately covered for the enitre length. Talked with a couple of guys that skied from below Pixley park to Jackson Hill and they also said that trail was in good shape the entire length. Some small branches here and there, but nothing significant. 2 inches of fresh snow before 2:00 pm. today.

Ski Rentals

On 1/15/2013 7:15 PM, zuki wrote:

I see on the Home page that rentals are available at the trail head.
I believe the trail head is right behind the DPW garage on Rt 12, next to Burger King?

What are the hours that skis are available to obtain?

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BREIA Response:

The X-C equipment is not available through us. Although BREIA we donated the equipment, it is available from Boonville Search and Rescue, located at BREIA's Canal  Trail trailhead in Boonville, as you mentioned above.
Hope this helps!

BREIA CONDITIONS

On 1/15/2013 11:40 AM, Darice wrote:

Hello,

I am planning a visit this weekend with friends and was wondering how the conditions are?  We usually come to Egypt Rd where it is groomed.  I also was wondering what any non-groomed conditions might be like.  We often go to Whetstone Gulf as well.

Thanks for any input you may have.

Darice

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BREIA RESPONSE:

Hi Darice...
We survived the weekend thaw and rain okay, and with colder temps and the promise of a few inches of new snow Wednesday -Thursday, we should be in good shape for this coming weekend. Today, Tuesday, the Rim Trail (exposed to the south wind) has a hard, thin snowpack.  Other trails are better. Check back with us Friday for an update.

First time visitor

On 1/11/2013 9:13 AM,  Shannon wrote:

We went to the Egypt Trail area yesterday - our first time at any of the BREIA areas and were astounded at the fabulous conditions!  This is as good as or better than some of the areas we go to and have to pay!  Many thanks to all of the hard work the staff does to keep the trails in such great shape!

I agree that the trail signage could be improved in the Egypt area.

Again - thank you, thank you!!  We’ll be back soon!

Shannon

Guilderland, NY

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BREIA Reply:

Shannon... Thanks very much for your comments. As you write, replacement signs are being made to clarify the unmarked intersections.  They should be erected temporarily on trees for the remainder of this winter, and permanently installed on posts in the spring.

There will not be additional large maps posted at this time, so be sure to print your own out from the "Where We Are" tab on the homepage of our site.

Hope we can get through this weekend thaw with out major damage to the current conditions!

Tree Down on Canal Trail

On 1/10/2013 4:10 PM, Dave wrote:

There is a fallen tree across the trail on the stretch from the second Rte 46 crossing (coming from Boonville) to Pixley Falls. It’s right across from the bright yellow house on 46. I cleaned things up enough to get under it going down and over it coming back, but it requires a chainsaw.

Dave

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BREIA Response:
 
Thanks for this heads up.  It has been passed along to our maintenance crew.

Conditions this weekend?

On 1/8/2013 4:47 PM, Martha and Don wrote:

Hi,

A group of 15 or so friends plan to be in Boonville this weekend (1/11-1/13) to use the beautiful BREIA trails -- thank you all so  much for making these trails available.  We've been watching the weather forecast with some apprehension.  I know you probably won't make the decision until much closer to the weekend, but what's your best estimate of the chance that the trails will be closed this weekend?

Thanks,

Martha

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It's early to know for sure as of now (Tuesday afternoon), especially with some rain twice in the forecast between now and then,  but my best guess at this point is that we should still have good conditions this coming weekend.  please check our trails condition report on Friday.
Even if the snow does melt some on the lower elevation trails (The Canal Trail and Egypt Road trails), There is considerably more snow now at the Jackson Hill trails, so consider them is we do experience some meltage.  However, there is lots of snow at present and conditions are great this week.

Overall, it is very unlikely any of the trails will be closed this weekend

Steve (for BREIA)

Dogs on Trails?

 On 1/6/2013 11:09 AM, gordi wrote:

Hello,
I was wondering if you allow dogs on your trails?
thank you,
Gordi

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 BREIA Response

Hi Gordi...
Thanks for your question.  As posted at all trail-heads, dogs are not permitted on the trails in the winter, with the exception of the Canal Trail (a State-owned property), where they are permitted year-round.  Your dog is welcome to accompany you at any time the trails have no snow cover.

This decision was made by BREIA's benefactor 5 years ago, and since these trails are a free gift to the public, the decision on dogs does need to be respected by all users. 

 

If any winter users do encounter anyone with a dog, we ask that you gently and politely remind them that dogs are not permitted during the winter months.  Thank you!

BREIA Track Width?

 On 1/5/2013 10:57 AM, Todd  wrote:
I have a pulk (and a small child) that I would like to bring to the trails… can anyone tell me how wide the tracks are? I don't want to bring it there and find out it doesn't fit in the tracks...
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 BREIA  response:

This is a good question.  However, we cannot give you a good answer. BREIA has four groomers of various types and age, and according to our maintenance director, there is a bit of variation in the track width between all or most of them. To complicate it, we move the groomers around our locations, depending on need and so there is never advance knowledge of which groomer will be on what trails ahead of time.

So the short answer is...for your personal skiing, you probably won't niotice the difference in track widths, however, your pulk will, and if it doesn't fit, it will be awkward and will mess up the track.  My best advice is... if you want to bring it and see it it fits the track on any given day, that's fine, but if the pulk doesn't  fit, you musta' quit.  Sorry about that -    :)

love the ski trails - Jan 3

I have been traveling to Boonville  from Lowville to ski on the wonderful trails on Jackson HIll and the canal trails.. including the domser trail..for the past 6 years.   I can't say thank you enough for all those who keep these trails groomed for us to ski on. I have met wonderful people from all over the area on the trails and was there on new years day taking pictures of the new snow... I can't say thank you enough for all the time and effort and now that the warming huts are open.. even better...Keep up the good work... its truly appreciated... Linda

Amazing network for xc skiers

Thank you for an absolutely wonderful network of xc ski trails! What a beautiful gift to xc skiers! A group of us had a splendid time on 1/29 and 1/30 at the Egypt Rd. location and the Canal area, and only wished we lived closer to use the system more often. The woods were gorgeous and the conditions were perfect. We did agree with the one writer re: improving signage at junctions in the Egypt Rd. area. Kudos, also, to the very personable men from the search and rescue unit who were at the Canal Rd. hut offering so much helpful information about the network and the general area.

Thank you for allowing the public access to trails

Thank you for allowing the public to ski on all the BREIA trails at all times this winter.  That is a real asset, especially for those of us who are retired and love to ski.  I am sure that everyone will be careful of and courteous toward school groups.  Thanks again.

Lee