Marcy via Van Hoevenberg Trail, Valentine's Day Feb. 14, 2013

[Short Job]

There's not too much to say because all conditions were great - beginning to end. We wore snowshoes all day. I guess you maybe could ski to Marcy Dam, if you were skilled and patient. There are quite a few spots with protruding rocks or roots. Beyond the dam remains, the snow coverage was better, but not perfect, although the ski trail looked OK, what we saw. All water crossings were sound today. Beyond Indian Falls, the trail was softly broken, delightful hiking. The rocky summit cone had some moderately icy patches, but it was crunchy ice, MSR's did fine. I cannot end this report without commenting on the superb weather. We reached the summit at 12:10, the clouds were lifting, and we got to enjoy the fabulous snow sculpted boulders in bright sunshine with barely a breeze and a summit temp of 20 degrees F. out of the sun. Sunglasses were definitely the eye fashion of the day by noontime.