As with last week, if you’re hiking this weekend in the Adirondacks Saturday is probably the day to do it, as Friday and Sunday have thunderstorms and showers likely. With recent rains trails might be wet and muddy – see what else you need to know if you’re heading out this weekend.
Weather
- Crown Point: Fri 85° and thunderstorm, Sat 72° and partly cloudy, Sun 69° and scattered thunderstorms
- Indian Lake: Fri 79° and scattered thunderstorms, Sat 74° and partly cloudy, Sun 68° and showers
- Lake George: Fri 84° and scattered thunderstorms, Sat 84° and partly cloudy, Sun 78° and showers
- Lake Placid: Fri 78° and thunderstorm, Sat 74° and partly cloudy, Sun 67° and scattered thunderstorms
- Malone: Fri 77° and thunderstorm, Sat 74° and scattered thunderstorms, Sun 68° and scattered thunderstorms
- North Creek: Fri 80° and scattered thunderstorms, Sat 76° and partly cloudy, Sun 70° and showers
- Saranac Lake: Fri 79° and thunderstorm, Sat 74° and partly cloudy, Sun 68° and scattered thunderstorms
- Speculator: Fri 78° and thunderstorm, Sat 74° and partly cloudy, Sun 68° and scattered showers
- Ticonderoga: Fri 83° and thunderstorm, Sat 81° and partly cloudy, Sun 74° and scattered thunderstorms
- Tupper Lake: Sat 78° and thunderstorm, Sat 73° and partly cloudy, Sun 66° and scattered thunderstorms
The Leave No Trace Seven Principles
The DEC is reminding us to abide by the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. These guidelines basically ensure that we’re able to enjoy our natural world by minimizing human-made impacts.
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Read more on the seven principles here >>
Fire Danger
Fire danger has gone from moderate last week to low this week.
See the DEC Fire Danger Map >>
Trail Conditions
Trails are wet and muddy in many locations, particularly in low spots and along waterways. Remember to walk through mud and water, not around it, to protect trailside vegetation.
Bear-Resistant Canisters
Overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness are required to store all food, toiletries, and garbage in bear-resistant canisters; the use of bear-resistant canisters is recommended throughout the Adirondacks.
Read more about bear-resistant canisters >>
Thunderstorm Safety
Avoid summits, water surfaces, and open areas during thunderstorms. If you become aware of a storm approaching move to lower elevations, head to shore, or otherwise seek shelter. If you find yourself in a thunderstorm find a low spot away from tall trees – seek shorter trees and crouch down away from the trunks.
Biting Insects
Black flies and mosquitoes are out! Follow these steps to minimize their effect on you:
- Wear light colored long sleeve shirts and long pants
- Tuck shirts into pants, button or rubber band sleeves at the wrist
- Tuck the bottom of pant legs into your socks
- Pack a head net to wear when insects are abundant
- Use an insect repellent with DEET
Read more on how to deal with black flies >>
Summits
With the Muddy Trail Advisory lifted we can hike over 2,500 feet now but remember, temperatures will be colder and winds stronger at summits. Dress accordingly – wear layers and remove or add clothing as needed.
Specific Notes
The Boquet Lean-To on the Dix Mountain Round Pond Trail is currently being repaired and has been moved away from the river by volunteers from the Adirondack 46ers. It’s not available for use; campers should use the designated primitive tent sites in the area.
The high water bridge on the Calamity Brook Trail is unsafe, unusable and should not be crossed. Crossing Calamity Brook, which is completely open at this time, without using the bridge will be difficult, especially with the high water levels. On warm and rainy days water levels in the brook will be higher in the afternoon; plan accordingly. The East River Trail (aka the Opalescent River/Hanging Spear Falls Trail) can be used to access the Flowed Lands and Lake Colden. It’s an additional 3.7 miles one-way to reach the Flowed Lands using this route. The DEC will be working on stabilizing and repairing the high water bridge.
The high water bridge over Slide Mountain Brook on the Phelps Trail between the Garden Trailhead Parking Area and Johns Brook Lodge broke in the spring of 2016 and the remains were removed. Materials were flown to the site so a new bridge can be built in 2017.
Elk Lake Road is now open to public motor vehicle access to the trailhead parking area. The trail from the Elk Lake Trailhead on the privately-owned Elk Lake Easement Lands is now open.
A trail reroute has been constructed around the flooded area on the North Trail to Giant Mountain just past the lean-to.
The High Peaks Information Center is now open.
Corey’s Road is open to public motor vehicle traffic to the summer parking lot.
South Meadow Lane is open to public motor vehicle traffic.
Rock climbing routes on the Upper Washbowl Cliffs are now open, but the rock climbing routes on the Lower Washbowl Cliffs remain closed to allow peregrine falcons to breed.
The top landing on the Mt. Adams Fire Tower has been damaged by ice and wind. Fencing and railings were broken off and the tower stairs and landings are slippery. The top landing and the cab are closed to the public at this time. The DEC plans to repair the tower sometime this year.
The first 1,500 feet of the Blueberry Hiking Trail in the western High Peaks has been closed. The trail now connects with the Blueberry Horse Trail approximately 0.3 miles east of the previous location (0.8 miles from Seward Trailhead). This reroute eliminates the need to hike through a large wet area, and also avoids hiking more than 120 feet of bog bridging.
The Blueberry Horse Trail between the Calkins Creek Horse Trail and Ward Brook Horse Trail in the western High Peaks contains extensive blowdown, is grown in with vegetation, and is also poorly marked. The trail is impassable to horses making it impossible to complete the Cold River Horse Trail Loop. The DEC has worked to open up about 75% of the trail and work on this trail is continuing.
Whiteface Landing 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.
The first and second footbridges on the Bradley Pond Trail are damaged and unusable. The stream can be forded/rock hopped.
The second bridge on the East River Trail to Allen Mountain and Hanging Spear Falls has been replaced. Please do not bounce on the bridge.
The bridge over Ouluska Brook on the Northville-Placid Trail has collapsed into the brook. If the water is low crossing the brook is still possible. The Northville-Placid 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 the water levels were high. Follow the blue NPT trail markers.
Beaver activity has flooded parts of Jack Rabbit Trail.
The Moose Creek Suspension Bridge between Shattuck Clearing and Cold River is now open.
Many of the herd paths found on Mount Marshall and some of the other trail-less peaks meander around the slopes of the mountain without reaching the peak. Those climbing these peaks should navigate with a map and compass rather than follow the paths created by others.
Fixed ropes, harnesses, and other equipment are often abandoned in the Trap Dike. Do not use any of these materials – they have been aged and weatherized and are unsafe.
The Calkins Creek Horse Trail has two bridges out, making it impassable for horse-drawn wagons and difficult for horses.
Interim Access Plan for the Boreas Ponds Tract has been developed which identifies access and recreational opportunities including: five year-round parking areas and three seasonal parking areas, 3.2 miles of seasonal motor vehicle access on the Gulf Brook Road, 6.7 miles of roadway open to bicycling from Blue Ridge Road to the Boreas Ponds Dam, and approximately 25 miles of seven roadways open to horses and horse drawn wagons. The public is prohibited from trespassing in and around the leased hunting camps.
Get more specific trail updates here >>
Find further backcountry information here >>
