This weekly report of outdoor recreation conditions in the Adirondacks is compiled each Thursday afternoon and fully updated by Friday afternoon.

Contribute Your Knowledge: Add a comment below, or send your observations, corrections, updates, and suggestions to adkalmanack@gmail.com.

Learn and practice the seven Leave No Trace principles. Carry out what you have carried in. Do not leave gear, food, or other items at lean-tos and campsites. Do not litter. Take the free online Leave No Trace course here.

BE PREPARED! Start slow, gain experience. Always carry proper safety equipment – including plenty of food, water, flashlights, space blanket, emergency whistle, first aid kit, fire making tools, extra clothing layers and socks, and a map and compass – inform someone of your itinerary, and be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods in cold temperatures. Just before entering the backcountry or launching a boat check the National Weather Service watches, warnings, and advisories here. Follow Adirondack weather forecasts at Burlington and Albany and consult the High Elevation, Recreation, or Lake Champlain forecasts.

November 22nd, 2018 – SPECIAL NOTICES

WINTER CONDITIONS: Carrying snowshoes and ice crampons and traction devices is recommended. Prepare for winter conditions, and the possibility of rain showers and/or mixed precipitation later Saturday and Sunday and into early next week. Snow-depths Thursday (Nov. 22, 2018) range mostly from about 6 to 16 inches, with the highest amounts in the west, central, and southwestern Adirondacks (see detailed reports below), and up to three feet in some areas above about 4,000 feet. Very cold temperatures Thursday night will stay below freezing most of Friday but warm toward near 40 Saturday and Sunday, with wind chills mostly in the 20s those days on summits. Summit winds 15-25 mph Friday, are expected to be 25-45 mph Saturday, and about 20-30 mph on Sunday. Some stream crossings may be difficult and icy. Before entering the back-country check the latest National Weather Service local weather watches, warnings and advisories here and Mountain Forecasts here.

SNOWSHOES, CRAMPONS AND TRACTION DEVICES: Carrying snowshoes and ice crampons and traction devices is recommended. Snowshoes or skis are recommended ease travel on snow and prevent “post holing,” which can ruin trails and cause sudden falls resulting in injuries. Ice crampons and traction devices should be carried for use on icy portions of the trails including summits and other exposed areas. Skiing is generally not recommended in the High Peaks Wilderness Area at this time, as approaches beyond Marcy Dam are too thin.

SEASONAL ROADS: Currently most seasonal access roads remain road open, but are covered in as much as a foot of snow. DEC does not plow. The use of four-wheel drive vehicles is strongly recommended.

WEEKLY SNOW REPORT

SNOW DEPTHS: Snow depths mostly range from about 6 to 16 inches, with the deeper snows found in the west, central, and southwestern Adirondacks, and over about 2,700 feet with up to three feet in some areas above about 4,000 feet. The following snow depths were reported Thursday morning, in inches:

Lake Colden 15
Croghan 15
Inlet 14
Old Forge 12
Gabriels 12
Tupper Lake 12
Keene Valley 11
Newcomb 11
Long Lake 11
Whiteface Base 10
Raquette Lake 10
Peru 10
Saranac Lake 9
Chazy 9
Marcy Dam 8
Indian Lake 8
Piseco 7
Edinburg 7
Chestertown 6
North Hudson 6
Warrensburg 5
Malone 5
Gouverneur 5
Hammond 4
Potsdam 3
Ticonderoga 2
Lake Luzerne 0

DOWNHILL FACILITIES: After some early skiing last weekend, Whiteface and Gore mountains will open for the season on Friday, Nov. 23, 2018. Temperatures have been very cold. Expect to encounter icy areas and lighter, early season cover, with about 15-25% of their terrain open this weekend. Titus Mountain will also open on Friday, a little earlier than expected. McCauley and Oak Mountain are still both planning to open December 8. Big Tupper has announced plans to open this season. No word on Hickory near Warrensburg.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKI REPORT: All nordic facilities around the region, including those at Tupper Lake and Dewey Mountain, will be open beginning Friday. Most terrain is open, which is unusual for this early in the season. Some of the best conditions will be found down at Garnet Hill and Lapland Lake, and over at Paul Smith’s, where skiing and snowshoeing is free until December 1st (their foyer is open to warm up 9-5; After Dec. 1, they are open open weekends and holiday weeks for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, on maintained trails, and foyer access).

BACK-COUNTRY SKI REPORT: Some snow this week and cold temperatures have left us with a good base, but a slight crust. All sections of the Jackrabbit Trail and all popular early season backcountry routes have been broken out. The best bet remains smoother terrain such as Connery Pond, Fish Pond, Hays Brook and Newcomb Lake roads, the Bloomingdale Bog trail, and the Hudson River and Inlet Trails. Note that Lake Lila will be plowed and not available for skiing this weekend. Whiteface Highway is still being plowed. The Marcy Dam Truck trail is skiable, the hiking trail from Adirondac Loj is not – from Marcy Dam up through the pass to Lake Colden is still too thin to recommend. Marcy and Wright Peak are not recommended due to thin approaches. An update with more detailed conditions in the Tri-Lakes and High Peaks area can be found here, courtesy the Adirondack Ski Touring Council / Barkeater Trails Alliance.

SNOWMOBILE REPORT: Trails remain closed until the end of big game hunting season – and at any rate are very thin with water holes. All trails are closed in until sundown Sunday, December 2, 2018 in Hamilton and Northern Herkimer Counties.

LAKES, RIVERS AND STREAMS

THIN ICE: Ice has begun forming ponds, bays of lakes, slow moving streams, backwaters of rivers, and some smaller lakes. No ice is safe at this time. Although ice may have snow on the surface, it is not thick enough to hold the weight of a person. Ice will remain unsafe until temperatures fall below freezing for a significant continuous period.

RIVERS AND STREAMS MOSTLY NORMAL: Rivers and streams are at mostly normal levels for this time of year around the Adirondacks. Some stream crossings may be difficult and icy. Water holes remain on many snowmobile trails.

STREAM GAGES: The following streamgage readings were observed on Thursday afternoon. Follow the latest river forecasts here and USGS streamgages here.

Moose River at McKeever – 3.14 ft (11/22): 3.81 ft (11/15)
Raquette River at Piercefield – 6.41 ft (11/22): 7.17 ft (11/15)
AuSable River at Ausable Forks – 1.50 ft (11/22): 1.67 ft (11/15)
Hudson River at North Creek – 3.82 ft (11/22): 4.32 ft (11/15)
Schroon River at Riverbank (Route 11) – 3.46 ft (11/22): 4.07 ft (11/15)
Lake Champlain at Whitehall – 95.88 ft (11/21): 95.66 ft (11/15)

WATER TEMPERATURES: Water temperatures are now in the 30s and 40s, and some smaller waters, especially at higher elevations, have unsafe ice. PFDs are recommended for all persons in small boats, kayaks and canoes. Water temperatures even in the 50s can quickly cause cold water shock and hypothermia which may result in death. The following water temperatures were recently reported:

Arbutus Lake, Newcomb (average) – about 38 degrees (11/21)
Lake Champlain (average) – about 46 degrees (11/21)

SEASONAL AND SAFETY NOTICES

DO NOT RELY ON TECHNOLOGY: Do not depend on electronic technology in the backcountry. Cell phone coverage is spotty at best and often non-existent. GPS signal can be poor under heavy tree cover. Batteries expire quickly in cold temperatures. Plan and prepare carefully before entering the backcountry and always carry a map and compass – and know how to use them.

SUN AND MOON SATURDAY: Sunrise Saturday in Lake Placid will be at 7:01 am and sunset at 4:22 pm, providing 9 hours 21 minutes of sunlight. The Moon will rise at 5:08 pm Saturday night, and set at 8:19 am, Sunday morning. The moon does not pass the meridian on this day.

FIRE DANGER: The fire danger for the Adirondacks is LOW – use caution with open fires. Each year DEC responds to numerous wildfires, many started by unattended campfires. Fires are prohibited in the Eastern High Peaks. It is illegal to leave an even smoldering fire unattended. Consult the current New York State Fire Danger here.

BE ALERT FOR MOOSE AND DEER: The peak period for vehicle collisions with whitetail deer and moose is October through December, with the highest incidences occurring in November. This is the peak of the annual breeding cycles when deer and moose are more active and less cautious in their movements. Motorists should be alert especially at dawn and dusk, which are times of poor visibility when these animals are most active. Much larger than deer, moose-car collisions can be very dangerous. The best way to avoid a collision with deer or moose is to reduce speed, be alert for their presence on or near the highway. When you see one, you are likely to see others nearby. Slow down immediately if you see deer or moose on the side of the road.

INCREASED BEAR ENCOUNTERS: DEC received a higher number of bear incident reports this year in the Adirondacks. Bear encounters get more numerous at this time of year as bears have learned how to get food from humans and are bulking-up for winter (this summer’s drought in the Adirondacks is also a factor). Cook, wash, eat, and clean-up before dark. Protect garbage and other food sources in camp and at home from bears. All food, toiletries and garbage should be stored in bear-resistant canisters to avoid negative encounters with bears throughout the Adirondacks. The use of bear-resistant canisters is required for overnight users in the High Peaks Wilderness between April 1 and November 30 and recommended everywhere.

AVOID MINES AND CAVES WHERE BATS ARE PRESENT: DEC has urged outdoor adventurers to suspend exploration of cave and mine sites that may serve as seasonal homes for hibernating bats. Human disturbances are especially harmful to the State’s bat population since the arrival of the disease known as white-nose syndrome, which has killed more than 90 percent of bats at hibernation sites in New York. All posted notices restricting the use of caves and mines should be followed. If you encounter hibernating bats while underground, DEC encourages you to leave the area as quickly and quietly as possible. Anyone entering a northern long-eared bat hibernation site from October 1 through April 30, the typical period of hibernation for bats, may be subject to prosecution. Learn more here.

KEEP PETS LEASHED: Keep your pet under control. Restrain your pet on a leash when others approach. Collect and bury droppings away from water, trails and camp sites. Keep your pet away from drinking water sources. Dogs must be leashed in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks when on trails, at primitive tent sites, at lean-to sites, everywhere above 4,000 feet, or at other areas where the public congregates. Dogs should be kept leashed everywhere in the Adirondack Park for the safety of your dog, the protection of wildlife and rare plants, and out of courtesy to fellow recreationists.

GROUP SIZE RESTRICTIONS: Large groups have significantly more impact on the trails, natural resources and other users. DEC regulation restricts group size in the High Peaks Wilderness (which now includes the former Dix Mountain Wilderness) to no more than 15 hikers (day users) or 8 campers (overnight users) and encourages this practice to be followed in other areas. Outside the High Peaks Wilderness, DEC regulation requires a temporary permit be issued to authorize organized events of more than twenty people; camping at the same location for more than three nights; or camping in groups of more than 10 people.

VOLUNTEER FOR TRAIL WORK: No matter what your sport, if you’re a trail user consider contributing your efforts to one of the many organizations dedicated to maintaining the region’s network of thousands of miles of trails.

RECENT CHANGES IN THE ADIRONDACK BACKCOUNTRY

* indicates new or recent items.

HIGH PEAKS REGION
Including Dix Mountain, Giant Mountain, Hurricane Mountain, Jay Mountain, McKenzie Mountain, Sentinel Range Wildernesses, Lake Placid, and Wilmington
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

** Corey’s Road Closing: The gate on Corey’s Road will be closed the first week of December to accommodate logging operations in Ampersand Park. Parking will be available at Raquette Falls Trailhead. (11/21)

* Gulf Brook Road – Due to the snow, Gulf Brook Road is closed until the end of mud season next spring. (11/15)

* Mt. Van Hoevenberg – The Mt. Van Hoevenberg Nordic ski center, in Lake Placid, is scheduled to open for the 2018-19 season, Saturday, November 17, weather and conditions permitting. Season passes for the 2018-’19 season are still available. Through November 26, adult passes are $200, senior passes are $165 and the teen passes are $140. The junior all-season pass is $70. Children six and under ski free.

** Mt. Van Hoevenberg – DEC with the assistance of NY State Police Aviation Unit has airlifted 55 white bags of stone to the ledges near the summit of Mt. Van Hoevenberg. The stone will be used in the spring to build up retaining walls and harden trails to protect the soil and vegetation along the exposed ledges from wind, rain and hikers. Take care around the flight bags and stone piles. (11/21)

* Elk Lake Conservation Easement Tract: The trails through the Elk Lake Conservation Easement Tract – to Mt. Marcy via Panther Gorge and to Dix Mountain – are closed to public use for the duration of the big game hunting season. The trails will reopen for public use on December 3. (10/25)

* Adirondack Mountain Reserve: Parking is prohibited along the Ausable Club Road and at the trailhead. (10/11)

** Mt. Van Hoevenberg: The new Mt. Van Hoevenberg East Trail is now open to public use. The 1.7-mile trail, located in the town of North Elba, Essex County, climbs 920 feet to the 2,940-feet summit of the trail. The trailhead is located the Olympic Sports Complex, while the summit is located in the High Peaks Wilderness. (10/5)

* Bear Nuisance – Canisters Required: Nuisance bears have been especially active in Eastern High Peaks this year and have been approaching hikers and campers in attempt to obtain food, especially in the Slant-Rock Lean-to and Bushnell Falls areas. Pack all food, toiletries, and garbage in a bear resistant canister as required by regulation. If approached by a bear: Do not throw your pack at them, if they are rewarded with food, they will continue this behavior; Raise your arms over your head to look bigger, yell loudly at the bear as you slowly back away – do not run; If available, bang rocks or metal objects together for noise. Learn how to avoid negative encounters with bears. The use of bear-resistant canisters is required for overnight users in the High Peaks Wilderness through November 30th. All food, toiletries and garbage must be stored in bear-resistant canisters. DEC encourages the use of bear-resistant canisters and other practices to avoid negative encounters with bears throughout the Adirondacks. (8/30)

Route 73 Parking: Parking areas along Route 73 are now striped. Park in the designated parking spots between the striped lines. Do not park in hash marked areas or where No Parking signs are posted. Try some of these less crowded hikes.

Route 73 – Roaring Brook Falls Parking: Parking is prohibited on the shoulders of both lanes of State Route 73 near the Roaring Brook Falls Trailhead. Parking is prohibited on the shoulder of the northbound lane from the entrance to the Roaring Brook Trailhead Parking area north to the bridge over Putnam Brook and on the shoulder of the southbound lane between the guiderails south of Putnam Brook Bridge. The New York State Department of Transportation is installing “No Parking” signs along these sections of the road. Read more about the closures here.

Garden-Porter Mtn. Trail – Cascade Mtn.: The Porter and Little Porter Trail from the Garden in Keene are closed this 2018 hiking season due to the decision of a private landowner. A reroute is being planned, but will not be completed this hiking season. As this will limit access to Cascade via Porter – further crowding the Route 73 Cascade trailhead – approach Porter Mountain via the trail from Marcy Field until the reroute is complete.

Cascade Mountain Trail Changes Coming: Recently approved amendments to the High Peaks Wilderness Area Unit Management Plan include changing access to Cascade Mountain. A new trailhead will be located at the Olympic Sports Complex at Mount Van Hoevenberg. This will increase the length of a round-trip by four miles to 8.8 miles total. The estimated completion date for this project is Columbus Day, October 14, 2019. According to the Adirondack Mountain Club’s High Peaks Trails, the current trail was constructed in 1974 to replace an older steeper badly eroded trail.

Dix Mountain Wilderness: Group size regulations are now in effect on the lands in the former Dix Mountain Wilderness. Groups should consist of no more than 15 hikers and no more than eight campers. The lands of the Dix Mountain Wilderness are now part of the High Peaks Wilderness. DEC will be changing signs, web pages, and regulations to eliminate the Dix Mountain Wilderness and transition to the High Peaks Wilderness.

Owls Head: Owls Head in Keene is open to hikers mid-week only. The public is prohibited from parking on the private road leading to the trailhead between 4 pm Friday and 7 am Monday. The trail to the summit of Owls Head is not an official DEC trail nor is there an easement for public use of the trail. Public use of the trail is at the landowner’s discretion.

* Bike Trails: Trail stewards responsible for bike and fat bike trails in the Wilmington-Lake Placid-Saranac Lake ask riders to abide by trail closures posted on TrailHUB.

Bradley Pond Trail: A new section of Bradley Pond Trail to Sanatanoni Mountain has been constructed near the beginning of the trail to avoid the two crossings which had unusable bridges. The new trail section crosses Santanoni Brook on a newly constructed bridge and then joins the old trail a short distance later. (2018)

Bradley Pond: Bradley Pond Lean-to has a 3ft by 6ft hole in the roof. The lean-to can still be used but should be avoided if it’s raining. DEC is developing a temporary fix for the 2018 season and will fully repair the roof during the off season. (6/15)

Ouluska Brook Bridge: The bridge over Ouluska Brook on the Northville-Placid Trail has collapsed into the brook. Crossing the brook is possible only during low water conditions.

WESTERN ADIRONDACKS
Including Aldrich Pond Wild Forest, Bog River Complex, Cranberry Lake Wild Forest, Five Ponds & Pepperbox Wildernesses, Watson’s East Triangle Wild Forest, William C. Whitney & Round Lake Wilderness
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

** Lake Lila Road: Lake Lila Road is closed for the season. The road will be plowed so trucks and other heavy equipment can access and work on the rail corridor near the Nehasane Station. The road will not be skiable until the work is complete. (11/21)

* Stillwater Mountain: The Stillwater Mountain Fire Tower and the trail to it is closed to public through December 20. (10/11)

Pigeon Lake Wilderness: There is an area with significant blowdown on the Norridgewock Trail about 1.5 miles south of Beaver River Station. A rough and temporary reroute has been flagged with pink flagging. All users should exercise caution when traveling through this area (7/5).

NORTHWESTERN ADIRONDACKS
Including Grass River Complex, Raquette Boreal Complex, Whitehill Wild Forest, Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest,
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

Raquette Boreal Complex: DEC has improved access and recreational opportunities at Jamestown Falls on the Raquette River along State Route 56. Improvements include: Rehabilitated access road, A hand launch on the river, Information kiosk, and ADA compliant primitive campsite with the following accessibly designed feature: hardened tent pad, picnic table, fire ring, and privy. (8/2)

NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS
Including the Saranc Lake and Paul Smith’s Area, DeBar Mountain Wild Forest, Kushaqua Tract, Santa Clara Tract, Saranac Lakes and the St. Regis Canoe Area
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

** Dewey Mountain (11/26): The trails are holding up well despite recent warm weather and rain. Conditions should improve with colder temperatures and snow in the forecast.  Hours of operations through December are 10 am-4 pm.

Saranac River Locks: Work has been completed on the Upper Lock on the Saranac River between Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes. Boaters are once again able to pass through the lock to access. The repairs have made the lock much easier to operate. DEC staffing of the Lower and Upper Locks on the Saranac River in the Saranac Chain of Lakes has ended for the season. Boaters can operate the locks using the posted instructions. (10/11)

Loon Lake Mountain Trail: Lyme Adirondack Forest Company, the private landowner of the Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract, is conducting a timber harvest in the area of the Loon Lake Mountain Trail. Be prepared to encounter logging trucks and heavy equipment at any time on the trail and the easement lands in the area during this active harvest operation. Contact the DEC Ray Brook Office at 518-897-1291 for questions regarding this harvest operation. (2018)

NORTHEASTERN ADIRONDACKS
Including Chazy Highlands Wild Forest, Lake Champlain Islands Complex, Sable Highlands Tract, Taylor Pond Complex, Wilmington Wild Forest, Five Mile Conservation Easement Tract, Gold Mine Conservation Easement Tract
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

* Sable Highlands Tract – The gate on Barnes Pond Road is open for the big game hunting season. The 3.9-mile seasonal access road is off the True Brook Road and provides access for hunters and others to six campsites along the road and the interior of the 3,761 acre Barnes Pond Public Use Area. (11/1)

Sable Highlands Tract: The gate on Barnes Pond Road is closed and road is closed to public motor vehicle use until the opening of big game season.

* Bike Trails: Trail stewards responsible for bike and fat bike trails in the Wilmington-Lake Placid-Saranac Lake ask riders to abide by trail closures posted on TrailHUB.

SOUTHWESTERN ADIRONDACKS
Including the Old Forge Area, Black River Wild Forest, Fulton Chain Wild Forest, Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness, Independence River Wild Forest, Pigeon Lake Wilderness
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

* Independence River Wild Forest: Big Otter Lake Road has been rehabilitated up to Tommy Roaring Brook. The road will be temporarily blocked beyond Tommy Roaring Brook until further rehabilitation occurs. (11/7)

Pigeon Lake Wilderness: A permanent reroute has been constructed on the Norridgewock Trail around the area of significant blowdown about 1.5 miles south of Beaver River Station. (9/27)

Black River Wild Forest: Loop Road at North Lake is open for public motor vehicle use to Campsite #18. The road remains closed beyond this point due to a major washout at Golden Stair Creek. (7/12)

Black River Wild Forest: Stone Dam Trail north of Stone Dam Lake to its intersection with the Chub Pond Trail is overgrown and can be hard to find and follow.

Independence River Wild Forest: The Erie Canal Trail Bridge over Otter Creek has been damaged and is closed indefinitely.

Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: Moose River Mountain Trail has heavy blow down and is difficult to follow at times. East Pond-Lost Creek Trail between East Pond and the Big Otter Lake East Trail is rough, grown in and may contain blowdown. The trail is difficult to follow at times.

WEST CENTRAL ADIRONDACKS
Including Blue Mountain Wild Forest, Township 19 Easement, Township 20 Easement, Blue Ridge Wilderness, Moose River Plains Complex, Perkins Clearing/Speculator Tree Farm Easement, Sargent Ponds Wild Forest, West Canada Lakes Wilderness
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

* West Canada Lakes Wilderness – Spruce Lake Lean-tos #1 and #2 were restored this season by volunteer crews from Lean2Rescue. (11/15)

* Perkins Clearing – The southern half of Cave Hill Road will be closed to the public for the remainder of the big game hunting season. (11/1)

* Northville-Placid Trail: A broken foot bridge spanning Lamphere Brook in the West Canada Wilderness was recently replaced with a new 35-foot bridge. (10/11)

Otter Brook Truck Trail: Crews from the Student Conservation Association Adirondack Corps cleaned and brushed out an approximate seven-mile section of the Otter Brook Truck Trail from the gate off the Otter Brook Road to a mile east of the intersection with the trail to Lost Pond. DEC expects to clean and brush out the remainder of the trail between the trail to Lost Pond and the Moose River Plains Road next summer. (9/27)

** Limekiln Lake-Cedar River Road / Moose River Plains Road: The gates to Moose River Plains will be open for snowmobiling on Monday, December 3. The road is passable, but there is some blowdown that will be removed by town crews. This is expected to begin Tuesday. (11/29)

Moose River Plains Complex: Lean2Rescue has completed three lean-to projects on Eighth Lake. Dunning Lean-to located on the northern shore of the lake has been completely rehabilitated. Volunteers with the organization replaced the roof, the floor, and select logs that were in poor condition. They also stained the lean-to. The “Double-wide Lean-to” on the western shore of Eighth Lake has been completely rehabilitated. The four base logs, the floor, and the roof were all replaced and the lean-to was stained. Earlier this summer the lean-to located on a small island near the western shore of Eighth Lake was removed. Due to the small size of the island it cannot sustain camping. The site has been converted into a day use site (9/27)

O’ Neil Flow Road/ Blue Mountain Wild Forest: Be on the lookout for logging operations (2018).

** Sargent Ponds Wild Forest: The Sargent Ponds Wild Forest road system remains open but is covered in more than a foot of snow. Only four-wheel drive vehicles should be used to travel on the road. (11/21)

EAST CENTRAL ADIRONDACKS
Including Indian Lake, Newcomb, Camp Santanoni, Essex Chain Lakes, Hoffman Notch, Hudson Gorge, Jessup River, Siamese Ponds and the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

** Paul Smith’s VIC Conditions: Paul Smith’s VIC (11/21) had over a foot of snow on the trails this past week and trails are excellent for classic skiers and snowshoers. They’ve begun track packing and grooming on Logger’s Loop, Heron Marsh, Barnum Brook, Fox Run and Boreal Life Trails, totaling about 15 kilometers of roller groomer terrain for classic cross country skiing and snowshoeing. The trails have recently been cleaned up.  Paul Smith’s VIC has free skiing and foyer access to the public until December 1st. For more information, visit the Paul Smith’s VIC website.

* Essex Chain Lakes Complex: DEC has announced the completion of three bridges, Woody’s Road Bridge, Cornell Road #1 Crossing, and Deer Pond Road Bridge in the Essex Chain Lakes Complex. The bridges were designed to modern New York State Department of Transportation standards that make the new structures safer for public passenger vehicle traffic and can accommodate use by heavy trucks and equipment associated with timber harvesting and sustainable forest management on nearby conservation easement lands. (10/19)

* Essex Chain Lakes: The gate for the Camp Six Road is open providing hunters and others motor vehicle access to three roadside primitive tent sites and a parking area at the end – one mile from the Chain Lakes North Road. (10/4)

* Essex Chain Lakes: The gate at the Outer Gooley Club on the Chain Lakes Road South is open providing hunters and others motor vehicle access to three primitive tent sites and a parking area 1.5 miles beyond the gate. Two additional tent sites are located past the gate at the seasonal parking area – one further north on the Chain Lakes Road South and one at Pine Lake. (10/4)

* Fort Ticonderoga Ferry: The Fort Ticonderoga Ferry from Ticonderoga, New York to Shoreham, Vermont is closed for the season due to the low water level in Lake Champlain. (10/25)

Siamese Ponds Wilderness: Two foot bridges have collapsed. The 55-foot bridge over the East Branch Sacandaga River on the Botheration Pond Loop Trail has collapsed and cannot be crossed. Do not attempt to scramble over it. During low water, rock hopping is possible. A 30-foot bridge on the Puffer Pond Trail over a tributary to the Thirteenth Lake south of the lake collapsed earlier this year and cannot be crossed.

Jessup River Wild Forest: The Oxbow Trail has reopened.

EASTERN ADIRONDACKS
Including Hammond Pond Wild Forest, North Creek, Schroon Lake,  the Lake George Valley, Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, Lake Champlain, Split Rock Wild Forest, and Champlain Area Trails Society Trails
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

** Gore Mountain / North Creek Ski Bowl (11/23): Top-to-bottom skiing, including some glades and additional terrain on the lower mountain. Snowmakers have been focused on Foxlair, Lower Sleighride, Showcase, Wild Air, 2B, the Arena, Bear Cub, and the Saddle area and along Sunway and Quicksilver. Ungroomed terrain is open on natural conditions and is for experts only. Early season ticket pricing in effect. More information and updated conditions can be found here.

SOUTHERN ADIRONDACKS
Including Ferris Lake Wild Forest, Shaker Mountain Wild Forest, Silver Lake Wilderness, Wilcox Lake Wild Forest
These are recent changes, older changes for this area can be found here.

* Wilcox Lake Wild Forest: The last segment of the trail to Spruce Mt. Fire Tower in Corinth is closed until December 2nd for the regular big game season. Access to the tower is prohibited during this time. This part of the trail is on Lyme Timber lands, and is closed each year for this period. (10/25)

West Branch Sacandaga River: A new paddlers’ take-out site has been completed along the West Branch Sacandaga River in the Shaker Place Conservation Easement Tract, in the town of Arietta, Hamilton County. There are no public access rights beyond the Shaker Place take-out. There is also no public access on the adjacent lands. Paddlers must stay on the roadway, in the parking area, and on the path to the river. (10/5)

Northville-Placid Trail: A new lean-to was constructed by DEC staff along the trail just north of the West Stony Creek crossing. (9/27)

Northville Placid Trail: The trail is brushy between Silver Lake and Mud Lake and may be difficult to follow in areas. This section is scheduled to cleaned and brushed out in Summer 2019. (9/27)

Garnet Lake: The water access site at Garnet Lake has been gated to prevent the launching of trailered boats. Canoes, kayaks and small boats can be easily carried over the gate and to the water’s edge for launching. The gate was installed for several reasons according to DEC: In the Adirondacks, trailered boats may only be launched at designated boat launches on lakes 1,000 acres or larger. The site on 330-acre Garnet Lake is a designated waterway access site (aka hand launch). Use of the lake by larger motorboats has increased in recent years exceeding the capacity of the small lake. Eliminating the use of trailers access to the water decreases the threat of the spread of aquatic invasive species into the lake. (8/30)

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Be sure to properly prepare and plan before entering the backcountry. Visit DEC’s Hiking Safety webpage and Adirondack Trail Information webpage for more information about where you intend to travel. Check the Adirondack Almanack Outdoor Conditions Reports each Thursday afternoon. A map of the Adirondack Park can be found here; active alerts are updated by noon Friday here.

This weekly report of outdoor recreation conditions in the Adirondacks is compiled by Adirondack Almanack founder and editor John Warren for publication each Thursday afternoon. John’s condensed version for radio can be heard Friday mornings on WSLP Lake Placid, and the stations of North Country Public Radio.

The NYS Trails Supporter Patch is available for $5 at all outlets where sporting licenses are sold, on-line and via telephone at 1 (866) 933-2257. Patch proceeds help maintain and enhance non-motorized trails throughout New York State.