The following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.

NEW THIS WEEK

Independence River Wild Forest:

• Eatonville Trail will remain closed through mid-July.

Saranac Lake Wild Forest

• A section of the Bloomingdale Bog Trail, about 0.75 miles west of the State Route 86 parking area, is covered by large rocks. The rocks cover the trail for several hundred feet and will make travel a challenge. This will be repaired later this summer.
• Scarface Mountain Trail crosses the Adirondack Rail Trail. Construction is underway on this portion of the Adirondack Rail Trail. Those going to Scarface Mountain should look for construction vehicles and use caution while crossing.

Saint Regis Canoe Area

• The canoe carry between Hoel Pond and Turtle Pond crosses the Adirondack Rail Trail.  Construction is underway on this portion of the Adirondack Rail Trail. Those carrying across should watch for construction vehicles and use caution when crossing.

Last Week

Boreas Ponds Tract

• The Gulf Brook Road is open to the Four-Corners Parking Area
  Whitney Wilderness Area

Whitney Wilderness Area

• Lake Lila Road is open to public motor vehicle use. This road is a rough dirt road, anyone using this road should drive with caution. The public parking area is the only location where vehicles may be parked. If there is no room in the parking lot for your vehicle, you will need to return to Sabattis Road and go to a different destination.
  Taylor Pond Wild Forest

Taylor Pond Wild Forest

• The Redd Road gate and Mud Pond Road in Clinton County on Terry Mountain SF are now open.

Adirondack Rail Trail

• The section of trail between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake is currently closed for construction. Use of this corridor during the construction period is prohibited.

Know Before You Go:

Fire Danger (as of 6/8):

• Adirondack Park – MODERATE
• Champlain Region – MODERATE
• Southern Tier – MODERATE
• Check the fire rating map for daily updates.

Temperatures & Conditions: These are forecast temperatures for base elevations throughout the region.

Temperatures in the region range from the mid-60’s to low-70’s throughout the weekend. Nighttime lows appear consistent in the high-40’s. Rain showers are likely Friday and Saturday. Anticipate colder temperatures near freezing at higher elevations. Pack the appropriate layers and gear in case your trip goes longer than planned or an unexpected overnight occurs.

Sunrise/Sunset: Sunrise = 5:11 a.m.; Sunset = 8:37 p.m. Make a timeline and stick to it. Pack at least one headlamp (two headlamps recommended) even if you expect to finish your activity before sunset.

Adirondack Mountain Reserve: Parking reservations will be required May 1 through Oct. 31 for single-day and overnight access to the parking lot, trailheads, and trails located on the privately owned, 7,000-acre AMR property in the town of Keene in the High Peaks region. For a list of frequently asked questions and to register, visit AMR’s website.

Bear Canisters Required: NYSDEC requires the use of bear-resistant canisters by overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness between April 1 and November 30. NYSDEC encourages campers to use bear-resistant canisters throughout the Adirondack backcountry. Bear canisters should be used to store all food, food garbage, toiletries, and other items with a scent. Canisters should be stored a minimum of 100ft from tents, lean-tos, and cooking sites and kept closed whenever they are not being accessed. Learn more about bear canisters and avoiding human-bear conflicts.

Adirondack Rock Climbing Closures: DEC closes certain rock climbing routes in the Adirondacks to protect nesting peregrine falcons. For a full list of closures, visit Adirondack Rock Climbing Route Closures. Once peregrine nest sites are determined, climbing routes that will not disturb nesting will be reopened. Routes that remain closed will reopen after the young have fledged. Thank you for your cooperation. For more information please contact the Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 623-1240.

Check the Weather: Check the forecast for your destination and pack and plan accordingly. Check the National Weather Service Northern Adirondacks and Southern Adirondacks Mountain Point Forecasts for select summit forecasts. Check both daytime and nighttime temperatures and remember that temperatures will drop as you gain elevation.

General Notices

Visit the main Adirondack Backcountry page for more trip-planning resources.

No Overnight Camping at Trailheads: Overnight camping is not permitted at trailheads or other roadside locations where a camping disc is not present. This includes individuals sleeping in cars, vans, and campers. Campers should seek out designated roadside campsites marked with a “camp here” disc or campgrounds. When camping, always carry out what you carry in and dispose of trash properly. Use designated bathroom facilities, pack out human and pet waste, or dig a cat hole.

Travel: Plan on arriving at your destination early and have several back-up plans in place in case parking at your desired location is full. Some seasonal roads may be closed for the winter season and not all parking areas are plowed. Check recent notices for road closure announcements

Seasonal Roads: Many seasonal access roads are closed for mud season. Check the Recent Notices for specific closure announcements and be prepared to turn around and take an alternate route.

Water Crossings: Water levels are much lower than average for this time of year in the Adirondack region. Check the USGS Current Water Data for New York for stream flow of selected waters. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs aka lifejackets) are strongly recommended.

Ticks: Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily. Wear enclosed shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants. Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors. Consider using insect repellent. Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails and walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas. Additional tips for tick prevention.

Safety & Education

Whether you’re going for a hike, a ski, or out fishing, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind.

Help Protect the Adirondacks Against Wildfires

The sky is glowing orange across New York State as a result of wildfire smoke blowing in from out of state. Take this as a sign. Fire danger across the state has been listed as moderate to high for most of the season, and it’s important to remember that wildfires can start anywhere there’s fuel, including the Adirondacks.

How can we protect the Adirondacks against Wildfires?

• One of the simplest ways to help is to pay attention to the NYS fire danger map. Check the fire danger everytime you light a fire. The map takes into account recent rainfall, wind, and other environmental circumstances that might make wildland fires more likely.
• Check the regulations for any burn bans in your area or campfire restrictions within the wilderness area you’re recreating in.
• Reduce your campfire impact by following Leave No Trace Principle 5
• Finally, alert authorities if you believe you see evidence of a wildfire. Call 911 or DEC’s emergency dispatch: 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)

Leave No Trace™

Follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace to maintain minimal impact on the environment and the natural resources of the Adirondacks. Use proper trail etiquette to ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself and others and tread lightly!

Stick with the Stove

Use a camp stove for cooking whenever possible. Stoves are faster and easier to cook on. Plus, they create significantly less impact than cooking over a campfire.

Campfires aren’t permitted in many wilderness areas in the Adirondacks. Where they are, they should be restricted to designated fire rings. Before cooking, make sure to clear away dead leaves and duff that could catch on fire from the flame of your stove.