This bulletin provides only the most recent notices. Check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for more detailed information on access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and conditions.

Emergency Situations: If you get lost or injured; keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call 911 or the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Dispatch, 518-891-0235.

Hike Smart by packing the proper gear. See our recommended packing list and safety tips.

Welcome to the Adirondacks. The Welcome to the Adirondacks webpage is the place to go if you are interested in learning more about the Adirondacks. It provides information about the Forest Preserve, conservation easement lands, outdoor recreation, and Leave No Trace.

Hiker Information Stations

DEC encourages visitors to stop by a Hiker Information Station ahead of their weekend hiking trip. These stations, staffed by DEC and Town of Keene stewards, provide information about parking, alternative hiking locations, local land use rules and regulations, safety, and preparedness, and Leave No Trace. Please visit us at the following locations:

• Mid’s Park, Lake Placid: Friday, 1 pm – 7 pm*
• High Peaks Rest Area, Northbound Route 87: Saturday & Sunday, 6 am – 11:30 am
• Marcy Field, Keene: Friday-Monday, 7 am – 1 pm

*This station will move inside the Lake Placid Visitors Bureau during inclement weather.

Remember a Headlamp

A headlamp or flashlight is one of the 10 essential items you should bring on every hike. DEC is seeing an increase in individuals without headlamps requiring rescue. Hiking in the dark can be dangerous. When you are unable to see where you are going, you are more likely to get lost or injured. A headlamp will help you hike out safely if you get caught in the woods after dark. Even if your planned hike should conclude before sunset, you should still bring a headlamp in case of emergencies or unexpected delays. Do not rely on your phone’s flashlight. Phones can die and using the flashlight will drain your battery quickly. Bring extra batteries and a back-up source of light as well.

General Conditions

Travel: Check 511NY for road closures and travel conditions. If you plan on hiking in the High Peaks, use 511NY to check the status of parking lots along the busy Route 73 corridor. Have back-up plans in place and, if the parking lot at your desired destination is full, move on to your back-up plan. The status of parking lots is being updated throughout the day by patrolling DEC Forest Rangers and Forest Ranger Assistants.

Weather: Check the National Weather Service or NY Mesonow for current conditions and forecasts for the locations where you plan to recreate.

Fire Danger: Low. Check the DEC Fire Danger Map for updated conditions.

Campfires: Never leave campfires unattended. Fully extinguish your campfire before leaving your campsite. Stirring water or dirt into the remains of the fire can help. Learn more about campfire safety.

Water Conditions: Water levels of most rivers are below average or low. Check the USGS Current Water Data for New York for stream flow of selected waters.

Nuisance Bears: Nuisance bear activity is high in the front country and the backcountry. Please take steps to prevent attracting bears in the backcountry. The use of bear-resistant canisters by overnight campers is required in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness and recommended throughout the Adirondacks.

Biting Insects & Ticks: Mosquitoes, no-see-ums (biting gnats), and ticks are present. Wear light-colored long-sleeve shirts and long pants. Tuck shirts into pants, button or rubber band sleeves at the wrist, and tuck the bottom of pant legs into your socks. Pack a head net to wear when insects are plentiful and use an insect repellant – follow label directions. Additional tips for tick prevention.

Clean, Drain, and Dry – Prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species and have your boat and trailer inspected and cleaned at one of the many boat inspection and wash stations across the Adirondacks, including the Adirondack Welcome Center’s boat wash, located between Exits 17 and 18 on the Northway, before entering the Adirondacks.

Hiking

Before you hit the trail, check out DEC’s Hike Smart NY page to learn about safety, best practices, and preparedness. While recreating in the Adirondacks, please follow the Hiker Responsibility Code and avoid busy trailheads. Discover trails less traveled and visit when trails may not be as busy.

Review Regulations. Before you head to your next hiking destination, take a moment to review the rules and regulations for the area you will be visiting. Each state land management unit has rules in place to help protect users and natural resources. Hikers headed to the High Peaks should review the rules and regulations for the High Peaks Wilderness.

Be Prepared. Trails will be a combination of dry and wet and muddy areas. Wear waterproof shoes and walk through mud, not around it, to protect trail edges. Temperatures will be lower on high summits, and many exposed summits will be windy. Pack extra layers of clothing. Check the National Weather Service Northern Adirondacks and Southern Adirondacks Mountain Point Forecasts for selected summits. If conditions become unfavorable, turn around. You can always complete your hike another day.

Manage your time wisely. As daylight hours shorten, be mindful of sunrise and sunset times and plan accordingly. Start long hikes early to ensure you will have enough sunlight to finish before dark, and always bring a headlamp in case your hike takes longer than anticipated.

Use Caution. Many Adirondack trails encounter water crossings and not all of them have bridges. Use caution at crossings and on trails along fast-flowing brooks and rivers.

Recent Notices

Included here are notices reported in the past week. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information web pages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

Trash in the Backcountry: DEC is receiving increased reports of visitors leaving trash behind after trips to State lands, waters, and facilities in the Adirondacks. Outdoor adventurers are reminded to follow the principles of Leave No Trace and keep New York’s environment clean by properly disposing of waste.

Lake George Wild Forest: The summit of Prospect Mountain is open to pedestrians as is the hiking trail from the village of Lake George. COVID-19 restrictions remain in place.

Siamese Ponds Wilderness: Eagle Cave on Chimney Mountain is currently closed to protect the bat population from potentially harmful exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

Saranac Lake Wild Forest:

• The Upper Lock on the Saranac River between Lower and Middle Saranac Lakes is operating slowly. Plan for the additional time to get through the lock.
• DEC staff will be present from 9 am to 7 pm at both the Upper and Lower Locks of the Saranac River on Friday thru Monday from now through Columbus Day Weekend.
• The Lake Flower Boat Launch is once again open to trailered boats. Construction of the bathroom is complete, but the bathroom is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

High Peaks Wilderness: The sign on the Blue Ridge Road (aka Boreas Road) identifying the turn onto Tahawus Road and the southern entrances into the High Peaks Wilderness has been stolen.

• If accessing the Blue Ridge Road from the west (Route 28N) watch for Tahawus Road on the left a short distance after the rail crossing.
• If accessing the Blue Ridge Road from the east (I87) watch for Tahawus Road on the right a short distance after the rail crossing warning sign.

Boreas Ponds Tract: Gulf Brook Road, which provides access to the Boreas Ponds, remains closed to public motor vehicle use at this time due to washouts caused by the 2019 Halloween storm. Hikers, off-road bikers, and horse riders may still use the road to access ponds. DEC is working to repair the storm damage. Repairs to ditches and replacement of small culverts is underway. Additional work includes installing large culverts and bridges to ensure the road is resilient to damage from future storms. DEC is working to have the road open as early as possible, but likely not until the 2021 season.

Fulton Chain Wild Forest: The Safford Pond Trail is passable all the way through as a bridge that washed out during the 2019 Halloween Storm was reconstructed last December.

Black River Wild Forest

• A bridge has been installed on Loop Road (North Lake) at the location where a culvert had previously washed out. The full length of the road is once again open to public motor vehicle use. After Labor Day be aware of logging trucks on the road.
• The bridge across Little Woodhull Creek on the Stone Dam Trail has been reset and repaired.

Split Rock Wild Forest: The DEC Westport Boat Launch on Lake Champlain is temporarily closed to remove sediments accumulated in front of the ramp. The removal of sediments, which should be completed by the end of October, will improve access for boaters who launch and retrieve boats during low-water periods.

Essex Chain Lakes Complex: There is an active logging operation on Cornell Road. This road, and the land adjacent to it, is privately-owned working forest conservation easement land. It also provides public access to the Essex Chain Lakes Complex Forest Preserve – specifically the Deer Pond Parking Lot. Please be alert for log trucks using the Cornell Road, and safely pull off the side of the road to allow them to pass.

West Canada Lake Wilderness: A 400-foot section of the Northville-Placid Trail about 0.5 miles north of the Carry Lean-to is flooded due to recent beaver activity. DEC staff were able to lower the water level to 7-8” and are continuing efforts to remove dams farther downstream. The trail is passable, but hikers should anticipate wet feet while passing through this area.