A canoe race is happening you’ll want to be aware of, two bridges have been replaced and repaired, and more – here’s all you need to know for hiking in the Adirondacks this weekend.
Adirondack Canoe Classic (90 Miler)
The Adirondack Canoe Classic takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Expect to come across many canoe racers on the section of the route from Long Lake to the Raquette River Boat Launch on Saturday.
East River Trail
The second bridge on the East River Trail to Allen Mountain and Hanging Spear Falls has been replaced by DEC and Student Conservation Association Adirondack Program. Please do not bounce on the bridge.
Moose Creek Suspension Bridge
Repairs on the bridge on the Northville-Placid Trail between Shattuck Clearing and Cold River are completed and the bridge is now open for use.
Whiteface Landing Trail
The trail has been rerouted to avoid private camps on Connery Pond. The trail now starts at the small parking area just before the private gate. Please respect the private property by staying on the trail.
Fire Danger
Fire danger is currently moderate. Remember never to leave a campfire unattended, and ensure all fires are out completely with all wood, coals, ember, and ash cool.
Weather
We may be in the second weekend in September, but the DEC is still issuing hot weather precautions. Forest rangers continue to respond to incidents of hikers in distress due to dehydration. Wear loose clothing of a material that keeps moisture away from your body. Protect yourself from the sun with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Drink plenty of water before and during your hike and rest often. Replace electrolytes with tablets or by other means.
A chance of thunderstorms and showers are forecasted. In the case of a thunderstorm, avoid summits and other open areas. Seek shelter at the first sound of thunder. Find a low spot away from tall trees and crouch down away from tree trunks.
Remember that temperatures will be cooler and winds stronger at the summits.
Trail Conditions
Trails may be wet and muddy along water bodies, in low lying areas, and during and after rain. Always remain on trails, walking through mud and water as necessary, to avoid eroding trailside vegetation.
Water Levels
Water levels are currently low. Most water crossings can be traversed easily. However, water levels can rise quickly during and after rain, and again a chance of showers and thunderstorms is forecasted.
Black Bears
Due to dry conditions, black bears are still more active than usual. The DEC is now reporting they are more actively seeking food. Campers not using bear-resistant canisters properly have lost their food to bears.
Black bears have been most active in the High Peaks Wilderness and the Dix Mountain Wilderness. Remember, the use of bear-resistant canisters is required in the Eastern High Peaks, but recommended throughout the Adirondacks.
Bears are more active in the evening – cook, eat, and clean up before dusk. Keep your campsite as clean as possible and don’t keep coolers or food out at any time. Toiletries should be treated as food items and stored securely as such.
Biting Insects
Insects are still out there. Minimize the chance of being bit by doing the following:
- Wearing light colored long sleeve shirts and long pants
- Tucking shirt into pants, rubber banding sleeves at wrist, tucking the bottom of pant legs into socks.
- Packing a head net to wear when insects are thick
- Using an insect repellent with DEET
Opalescent Trail in High Peaks Wilderness
A trail reroute has been constructed around the washout on the Opalescent Trail near the Uphill Lean-to by members of the Student Conservation Association Adirondack Program. Previously this area was washed out from heavy rains.
Boreas Ponds Tract
The Interim Access Plan for the Boreas Ponds Tract has been completed, opening up new recreational opportunities:
- 3.2 miles of motor vehicle access on the Gulf Brook Road
- 6.7 miles of roadway open to bicycling from Blue Ridge Road to Boreas Ponds Dam
- About 25 miles of 7 roadways open to horse and horse drawn wagons
- 5 year-round parking areas and 3 seasonal parking areas
All roadways and lands are open to hiking, hunting, trapping, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing except for one acre around the leased hunting camps; the public is prohibited from trespassing in and around the leased camps.
High Peaks Wilderness:
Ouluska Brook Bridge: The bridge over Ouluska Brook on theNorthville-Placid Trail has collapsed into the brook. Because water conditions are low it is still possible to cross the brook.
Blueberry Hiking Trail: The first 1,500 feet of this trail has been closed. The trail now connects with the Blueberry Horse Trail about .3 miles east of the previous location (.8 miles from Seward Trailhead). This reroute eliminates the need to hike through a large wet area.
Blueberry Horse Trail: This trail between Calkins Creek Horse Trail and Ward Brook Trail in the Western High Peaks contains extensive blowdown, is grown in with vegetation, and is poorly marked. The trail is impassible to horses. The DEC aims to work on this trail in the fall.
Phelps Trail: The high water bridge over Slide Mountain Brook between the Garden and Johns Brook Lodge is broken and unusable.
Northville Placid Trail: This trail has been rerouted around a beaver pond south of Plumley’s Point on the shores of Long Lake. It passes the beaver pond higher up the slope and eliminates the need to cross the beaver dam. Follow the blue NPT trail markers.
Ouluska Brook: The bridge over Ouluska Brook has collapsed into the brook. Due to low water conditions, crossing the brook is still possible.
Corey’s Road: Logging trucks are still on this road – keep an eye out for them when entering from trailheads.
Garden Trailhead Parking Area: There is a $7 a day fee for parking. An attendant is present 1pm to 7pm on Fridays and from 7am to 7pm on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays until October 16th. The rest of the week hikers are expected to pay the fee using an envelope and collection slot.
Garden Trailhead Shuttle: The shuttle between Porter Mountain/Marcy Field Trailhead Parking Area and the Garden Trailhead operates from 7am to 7pm on weekends and holidays through October 16th. A round trip costs $5.
Bradley Pond Trail: The first and second foot bridges have been damaged and are unusable. The stream can be forded/rock hopped most of the time on the down stream side of the bridge sites.
Mount Marshall: Many of the herd paths and trail-less peaks go around the slopes of the mountain without reaching the peak. Use a compass to navigate and don’t follow the paths created by others.
Trap Dike: Do not use the abandoned equipment here; it is unsafe due to aging and weatherizing.
Calkins Creek Horse Trail: This trail has two bridges out, making it impassible for horse drawn wagons and difficult for horses.
Adirondack Mountain Reserve (Ausable Club)
The AMR consists of private lands between the Dix Mountain Wilderness and the High Peaks Wilderness in the Adirondacks. The public easement agreement only allows for hiking (or snowshoeing and skiing when in season) on the designated trails and roads. Traversing the Lower or Upper Ausable Lakes is prohibited. Do not trespass on AMR lands or waters, or participate in any unauthorized activities. Dogs are prohibited on the AMR.
Giant Mountain Wilderness:
North Trail to Giant Mountain: Beaver activity has flooded this trail just past the lean-to.
Hurricane Mountain Wilderness:
Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower: The fire tower is still closed to the public at this time.
McKenzie Mountain Wilderness:
State Route 86 Bridge Over the West Branch Ausable River: Construction is occurring about three miles northeast of Lake Placid. Construction is expected to continue until November 1st. Parking near the bridge will be restricted. Hikers accessing Whiteface Landing are discouraged from using the parking areas near the bridge – use the parking area along Route 86 near the Connery Pond Road instead.
Paddlers using that section of river are advised to find an alternative route, and are discouraged from paddling under the bridge.
