Check out your weekly weather report, notices, and hiking conditions for the Adirondacks this weekend – be safe out there!
Weather
Here are the current high temperatures and forecasts for the following areas:
- Crown Point: Fri 40°, Sat 38°, Sun 37° with snow
- Indian Lake: Fri 38° with rain and snow, Sat 31°, Sun 30°
- Lake George: Fri 50° with rain, Sat 44°, Sun 42°
- Lake Placid: Fri 36° with snow, Sat 30° with snow, Sun 28°
- Malone: Fri 38° with rain and snow, Sat 30° with snow, Sun 27°
- North Creek: Fri 40° with rain and snow, Sat 33°, Sun 32°
- Saranac Lake: Fri 36° with snow, Sat 31° with snow, Sun 29°
- Speculator: Fri 37° with snow and rain, Sat 31°, Sun 30°
- Ticonderoga: Fri 47°, Sat 41°, Sun 37°
- Tupper Lake: Fri 36° with rain and snow, Sat 30° with snow, Sun 29°
Do keep in mind that weather forecasts can and do change, and you’ll want to check the forecasts again right before leaving to hike.
Snow from recent storms has mostly melted away, but is currently present in heavily shaded areas and at the higher elevations. Temperatures at the summits will be colder, winds stronger, and snow deeper.
Avoid Hypothermia
Stay warm and dry by following these procedures:
- Wear waterproof outer layers
- Wear layers of fleece, wool, and other non-cotton clothing
- Pack extra clothing, including a fleece, wool, or other non-cotton jacket or sweater
- Add or remove layers to maintain a comfortable body temperature
- Wear a cold weather hat and gloves or mittens
- Eat, drink, and rest often
Blowdown
There has been some recent strong winds – consequently, you may come across fallen or hanging trees, limbs, or branches on the trails, particularly on lesser used trails or higher elevation trails.
Short Days
Sunset is occurring around 4:15pm, and earlier in deep valleys and on northern and eastern facing slopes. Plan to return to the trailhead by sunset, but have a flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries with you just in case.
Elk Lake Trails
The trails from Elk Lake Trailhead through the privately-owned Elk Lake Easement Lands to High Peaks Wilderness and the Dix Mountain Wilderness remain closed through the weekend.
The trails will reopen Monday, December 5, but the Elk Lake Road will be closed to public motor vehicle access beyond the Clear Pond Gate. The public may park in the parking area at the Clear Pond Gate and hike, ski, or snowshoe two miles to Elk Lake Trailhead.
Hunting Season
Most big game, small game, and waterfowl hunting seasons are currently open. Hikers should be aware that hunters with firearms or archery equipment will be out hunting, and they have the legal right to participate in these activities on the forest preserve. Hunting accidents with non-hunters are incredibly rare, but you should wear bright colors just in case.
High Peaks Information Center
The information center at Adirondack Loj is closed for renovations until late December. The Adirondack Mountain Club will operate out of a heated tent to offer snowshoe and microspike rentals, along with some retail merchandise. The flush toilet and shower facilities will not be available, although there are porta-johns. Parking will still be available.
Boreas Ponds Tract
The Interim Access Plan for the Boreas Ponds Tract has been developed, 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
The lands of this tract are unclassified at this time. The Interim Access Plan does not have any bearing on future land classification of the tract currently in development and does not prejudge what access and uses will be allowed in the future. The public is prohibited from trespassing in and around the leased camps.
High Peaks Region
South Meadow Lane: This lane is closed to public motor vehicles until the end of spring mud season. Vehicles may park at the barrier at the intersection with the Adirondack Loj Road but should not block the opening to ensure emergency vehicles have access.
Lake Arnold/Feldspar Brook Trail: This trail is flooded and the bog bridging cannot be crossed. You’ll need to use alternate routes on other trails in the area. The DEC is working to find a permanent solution.
East River Trail: The second bridge on the East River Trail to Allen Mountain and Hanging Spear Falls has been replaced by the DEC and Student Conservation Association Adirondack Program. Please do not bounce on the bridge.
Garden Trailhead Parking Area: The town of Keene operates the Garden Parking Area and charges $7 a day for parking. Hikers should use an envelope and the collection slot to pay.
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.
Phelps Trail: The high water bridge over Slide Mountain Brook between the Garden and Johns Brook Lodge is broken and unusable.
Whiteface Landing Trial: The trail has been rerouted to avoid private camps on Connery Pond. The new trail route starts at the small parking area just before the private gate. Please stay on the trail and respect the private property.
Corey’s Road: Logging trucks are using this road. Listen and watch for trucks while on the road or entering the road from trailhead parking areas.
Bradley Pond: The first and second foot bridges on the Bradley Pond Trail are damaged and unusable. The stream can be forded/rock hopped downstream 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.
Northville-Placid Trail
The trail has been rerouted around a beaver pond south of Plumley’s Point on the shores of Long Lake. The reroute passes the beaver pond higher up the slope and eliminates having to cross the beaver dam and the wet feet obtained when water levels were high. Follow the blue NPT trail markers.
Moose Creek Suspension Bridge: The bridge between Shattuck Clearing and Cold River is now open.
Ouluska Brook: The bridge over this brook has collapsed. Due to low water conditions, crossing the brook is still possible.
Giant Mountain Wilderness
North Trail to Giant Mountain: Beaver activity has flooded this trail just past the lean-to.
Adirondack Mountain Reserve (Ausable Club)
The public easement agreement only allows for hiking on designated trails and roads. Do not trespass on AMR lands or waters, or participate in unauthorized activities. Dogs are prohibited on the AMR.
Find more specific trail updates here >>
Find further backcountry information here >>
