Warren County staff has recently unveiled a new trail reporter application that will allow trail users to report issues they find on Warren County trails through an easy-to-use portal that will result in notification of the trail owner or maintenance organization. Warren county staff welcome all those who hike, bike or walk on local trails to utilize the app by reporting any hazards or maintenance needs (such as a downed tree, washed out section of trail or other obstacle) observed during their time on local trail systems.

The new portal, dubbed “Warren County Trail Reporter,” has been developed by Warren County Planning & Community Development in conjunction with organizations that oversee the dozens of great trails around Warren County. Since several different organizations operate trails in the region, folks may not know who to contact to have such issues addressed, which is where the application comes in, according to Warren County staff.

The Warren County Trail Reporter asks users to name the trail, mile marker, location, date and time of the observation, describe the hazard, include a photo, and also prioritize the severity of the problem. It is important to note that the Warren County Trail Reporter is NOT the avenue in which to report emergencies. In the event of an emergency, people are asked to call 911 for assistance. 

Warren County staff respectfully ask for patience during the process of sifting through newly-reported application alerts. Trail owners and organizations will be notified when reports are received, however many of these organizations do not have sufficient staff available in order to immediately address a report.

“With so many miles of trails and limited staff time, it is incredibly helpful when trail users let us know of issues they come across,” said Michael Horn, Executive Director of Lake George Land Conservancy. “This tool from Warren County allows trail users to easily report issues along with location and photos that will allow trail managers to respond more effectively.”

“The Town of Queensbury has developed an extensive network of trails, used by thousands of our greater local community residents and visitors; trails for family hiking and biking and trails for mountain bikers of all skill levels,” said Queensbury Supervisor John Strough. “Even though we have regular maintenance schedules for our trails, we would still appreciate the use of an additional public alert system because safe trails are a priority for us.”

The new portal can be found online here: https://bit.ly/3voEUQM.

The new tool is the latest recreational offering from Warren County Planning & Community Development Department, which has spearheaded a number of initiatives to improve and increase the use of Warren County’s plentiful recreational resources. Among them are the Warren County Rec Mapper, which details hiking, biking and paddling opportunities around the county, First Wilderness Heritage Corridor and First Wilderness Letterboxing Trail.

The mission of the Warren County Planning Department is to analyze, prioritize and plan for the balanced and sustainable use of the county’s natural resources and built environment to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations while respecting our past.

Photo at top: A hiking trail in the Tongue Mountain Range in Bolton. Photo provided by Don Lehman, Director of Public Affairs for Warren County.