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Town of Wilmington
Essex County
Wilderness Rescue: On Aug. 18 at 7:26 p.m., Essex County 911 transferred a call to DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch from a woman reporting her 58-year-old husband had fallen, striking his head on the Flume Trail in the Wilmington Wild Forest. Forest Ranger O’Connor responded with Wilmington EMS. The hiker from Ohio was carried out to an ATV with the assistance of EMS and New York State Police and driven to the trailhead. At 8:42, the hiker was transferred to a waiting ambulance for further medical treatment.
Almanack Contributor NYS DEC
Information attributed to NYSDEC is taken from press releases and news announcements from New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation.
Rangers respond to lost, injured, dehydrated hikers aged 21-71
2021-22 New York State Hunting and Trapping Licenses on Sale Now
Hunting and trapping licenses and Deer Management Permits (DMPs) for the 2021-2022 seasons are on sale now. In addition, DEC announced new opportunities for hunters this year, including expanded hunting seasons and allowing youth ages 12 and 13 to hunt deer with a firearm or crossbow in upstate counties that have passed a local low and ‘opted in’ to participate.
Licenses and permits can be purchased online, at any one of DEC’s license-issuing agents (leaves DEC’s website), or by telephone at 866-933-2257. New hunting and trapping licenses are valid from Sept. 1, 2021, through Aug. 31, 2022; annual fishing licenses are valid for 365 days from date of purchase.
Caring for Your Trees After a Caterpillar Outbreak
Do you have trees in your yard that were defoliated during the caterpillar outbreak this year? (Read more about it here)
Most healthy trees can withstand a couple years of leaf loss from caterpillar damage. Long-term damage depends on the type of tree as well as how much defoliation took place:
- Hardwoods – A healthy leaf-bearing tree should have grown new leaves by now, though leaves may be smaller than usual. If your tree lost all its leaves and does not grow any new ones by summer’s end, watch it in the spring. If it still does not leaf out next spring, it has died.
- Conifers – If your needle-bearing trees lost more than 50 percent of their needles, there’s a good chance they probably won’t recover. Keep an eye on them in the coming seasons, and if you have concerns or think the tree could endanger a house if it were to fall, contact an arborist.
ECOs assist with Old Forge house explosion
On July 30, ECO Gates responded to a house explosion in the town of Webb. The blast sent debris flying more than 200 yards into First Lake on the Fulton Chain, impacting an estimated 20 homes in the surrounding area.
Herkimer County soon declared a State of Emergency. ECO Gates, accompanied by ECO Jakaub and DEC Spill Responder Reichinger, deployed a boat to help assess the damage and look for debris in the lake.
Some fuel entered the lake, causing a sheen, and the ECOs assisted Reichinger to deploy a boom designed to pick up the oil. The following day, the Officers joined DEC Spill Responder Furlong to coordinate the use of a harbor boom from Eggan Environmental Services. The ECOs assisted Old Forge Fire Department and Eggan Environmental Services with deployment of the harbor boom using a patrol boat.
The boom will contain the spill and allow crews to remove the fuel from the surface so it would not enter the greater lake
Photo: ECO Noyes deploys boom/DEC
Outdoor conditions (8/20): Wet trails; some road closures
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. 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.
Tropical Storm Fred: Trail systems within the Adirondacks have received varying amounts of rain due to Tropical Storm Fred and trail conditions may be impacted. Expect high water and muddy trails for the upcoming weekend. Weekend forecasts predict thunderstorms, which could produce heavy rain, compounding poor trail conditions.
Recreation Highlight: Hiking the Cranberry Lake 50
Hike Smart NY on the Cranberry 50 Trail. The Cranberry Lake 50 Trail provides a challenging 50-mile loop around Cranberry Lake in the town of Clifton, St. Lawrence County. The diverse terrain encountered throughout this long trail hike makes it very rewarding to complete, but it is important not to underestimate the difficulty of this experience. DEC wants you to enjoy your time outdoors and stay safe doing it, so consider the following advice before taking on this challenge.
DEC beaches begin to close for summer
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has announced the closure of beaches to swimming at DEC-managed campgrounds and day use areas in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks. For public safety, beaches remain open to visitors but swimming is prohibited unless a lifeguard is present. Beaches are closed to swimming each year as many lifeguards return to school.
Please refer to the schedule below for swimming closures at these DEC campgrounds and day use areas:
Man dies in Dix Mountain Wilderness
Recent NYS DEC Forest Ranger actions:
Town of Elizabethtown
Essex County
Campground Enforcement: On Aug. 9 at 4:15 a.m., DEC’s Central Dispatch received a call from the caretaker at Lincoln Pond Campground requesting Forest Ranger assistance to help address multiple, ongoing violations. Forest Ranger Lt. Dubay was notified, and Forest Rangers Quinn and Booth responded. Upon their investigation, Rangers issued 16 tickets for underage drinking.
Wildlife Management Areas open to the public through August
Annual Open House Lifts Restricted Access at Perch River, Upper and Lower Lakes, and Wilson Hill WMAs
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced the annual opening to the public of otherwise restricted Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) in Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties from Monday, Aug. 16, to Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. During the 16-day open house, Upper and Lower Lakes and Wilson Hill WMAs in St. Lawrence County, including the posted refuge or wetland restricted areas, will be open to visitors each day from sunrise to sunset. Perch River WMA in Jefferson County will also be open to visitors with one exception-Perch Lake will be open daily from noon to dusk.
In addition, this 16-day window is now fixed for subsequent years and will apply to future WMA open houses. Establishing these fixed dates will make planning trips to the areas easier for visitors interested in observing DEC’s efforts to manage and improve these important habitats. Portions of these WMAs are marked as refuge or wetland restricted areas to allow waterfowl and other listed species to breed and raise young without human interference.
Perch River WMA encompasses nearly 8,000 acres in the towns of Brownville, Orleans, and Pamelia. Perch River WMA can be accessed from State Route 12, and Allen, Buckminster, Vaadi, and Perch Lake roads. The Perch Lake proper (accessed by Perch Lake Road) will be open from noon until sunset each day. Fishing will be allowed, but motorized boats are not permitted.
Upper and Lower Lakes WMA is located about two miles west of the village of Canton along State Route 68 in St. Lawrence County. This WMA, the largest in the region, is an 8,770-acre upland/wetland complex between the Grasse and Oswegatchie rivers.
Wilson Hill WMA in northern St. Lawrence County is approximately six miles west of the village of Massena off State Route 37. Situated along the St. Lawrence River, the 4,000-acre area consists of several large pools of open water marsh bordered by a combination of dense cattails, brushy wetlands, forest, and upland meadow. Fishing is not allowed in Nichols Pool.
DEC may be conducting habitat and wildlife management projects on the WMAs throughout the 16-day period. Visitors are advised to avoid any operating machinery and pay attention to temporary signage. For additional information, bird lists, and maps, contact DEC’s Regional Wildlife Office at 315-785-2263 or visit the Western Adirondacks/ Upper Mohawk Valley/ Eastern Lake Ontario WMAs webpage.
Photo: Perch River WMA in Jefferson County/DEC Photo
Watch for Giant Hogweed, Wild Parsnips
Giant hogweed plants are now blooming across many parts of the state, making it a prime time to spot this harmful invasive. Giant hogweed is a large plant from Eurasia with sap that can cause painful burns and scarring.
Adult giant hogweed plants tend to be 7-14 feet tall with umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers up to 2.5 feet wide. The stem is green with purple splotches and coarse white hairs, and leaves are large (up to 5 feet across), incised, and deeply lobed. You can find more identification tips, including a table of lookalikes, on our website.
If you think you have found giant hogweed, do not touch it. From a safe distance, take photos of the plant’s stem, leaves, flower, seeds, and the whole plant. Then report your sighting to DEC by emailing photos and location information to [email protected] or calling (845) 256-3111. DEC staff will confirm if it is giant hogweed and discuss plans for management if it is a site not yet being managed by DEC.
Outdoor Conditions: Route 73 Shuttle to start
Hiking Information
Be prepared, bring the right gear, and wear the right clothes and shoes to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike. Review Hike Smart NY’s list of 10 essentials and bring those items on every hike. Prepare for your hike by doing the following:
Pilot Route 73 Hiker Shuttle: A pilot Route 73 Hiker Shuttle system will launch on Saturday, August 21. The pilot will help provide safe, sustainable visitation along the busy Route 73 corridor and in the Adirondack High Peaks region. The free shuttle system will operate 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays through Monday, October 11. Users can park at Marcy Field and ride to the Rooster Comb, Giant Mountain/Ridge Trail, and Roaring Brook Falls trailheads. Parking is still available at the trailheads themselves. All riders will be required to wear a mask. Stewards will be stationed at all drop off and pick-up locations to assist with navigating the shuttle system and educate hikers on responsible recreation, including preparedness, hiking safety, and Leave No Trace™ principles. Pets are not permitted.
View a map of the route (PDF), the shuttle schedule (PDF), and browse a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions (PDF). » Continue Reading.
I FISH NY Guide to Freshwater Fishing Series Now Available
Whether you’re a first time angler or it’s been awhile and you could use a refresher, we’re here to help. Check out three new videos we recently posted on DEC’s YouTube channel. Adding to our debut video (Family Fishing Basics), this series provides the basic information you’ll need to get started in the sport of fishing.
Interested in more fishing content? Let us know! Email [email protected].
How to cast to a spin casting (push-button) rod
Basic Fishing Knots
Bobber & Worm Rig
Road Trip to Adventure: Everton Falls Preserve
Looking for a scenic, family-friendly Adirondack adventure by foot or canoe? Check out The Nature Conservancy’s Everton Falls Preserve that protects a 1.5-mile stretch of the East Branch of the St. Regis River.
From the parking area, there is a short trail through northern hardwood and conifer forests where you can enjoy a picnic lunch at the shoreline along the river. If you are looking to spend time padding, there is a boat access site across from the Everton Falls Preserve parking lot, which provides nine miles of flat-water paddling. For a weekend trip, book reservations at Meacham Lake Campground & Day Use Area and for other local amenities, visit the towns of Saint Regis Falls, Paul Smiths, or Saranac Lake.
Editor’s note: Read more about the recreational opportunities that can be found at the Everton Falls Preserve in this article in the Adirondack Explorer.
Photo by Tom French for Adirondack Explorer.
How to Report a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)
DEC’s harmful algal bloom (HABs) notification season has begun. HABs notifications will be updated through the fall using an online reporting and notification system dubbed NYHABS. The system includes an interactive map that shows reports of freshwater HABs, as well as a public reporting system. Instructions on how to use NYHABS are on DEC’s HABs notification page.
Know it: If you see a HAB, please use the reporting form to submit a report to NYHABS.
Avoid it: Because waterbodies may have HABs that have not been reported to DEC, we recommend avoiding contact with floating mats, scums and discolored water.
Report it: If you, your family, or pet have been in contact with a HAB, please rinse with clean water and report any symptoms to your local health department.
Report Your Turkey Sightings This August
While you are exploring the forests and fields around your home or driving through the state’s beautiful landscapes this summer, be sure to keep an eye out for wild turkeys.
DEC uses reported observations of wild turkeys to track changes in abundance and productivity (number of poults produced per adult hen) over time and in different parts of the state. It also helps forecast hunting prospects for the coming fall season and for subsequent spring seasons. Submit your observations online. To see results from previous summer surveys, please visit DEC’s website.
Photo courtesy of G. Ellmers
Latest News Headlines
- Here's what it's like to try to hike all 46 Adirondacks High Peaks
- Moxham Mountain land deal opens up southern access
- Trial begins in murder of retired NYC firefighter near Old Forge
- A 'totally ‘80s' theme for Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
- Great Corner Monument: In search of a hidden marker
- 'Wow'ed by Wilmington
- Accessible Adirondacks
- Report highlights conservation challenges, infrastructure needs in Adirondacks
- Adirondack nonprofit helps communities prepare for food composting law
- Tupper Lake town considers leasing Big Tupper mountain
Latest News Headlines
- Here's what it's like to try to hike all 46 Adirondacks High Peaks
- Moxham Mountain land deal opens up southern access
- Trial begins in murder of retired NYC firefighter near Old Forge
- A 'totally ‘80s' theme for Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
- Great Corner Monument: In search of a hidden marker
- 'Wow'ed by Wilmington
- Accessible Adirondacks
- Report highlights conservation challenges, infrastructure needs in Adirondacks
- Adirondack nonprofit helps communities prepare for food composting law
- Tupper Lake town considers leasing Big Tupper mountain
The Adirondack Almanack
The Adirondack Almanack is a public forum dedicated to promoting and discussing current events, history, arts, nature and outdoor recreation and other topics of interest to the Adirondacks and its communities
We publish commentary and opinion pieces from voluntary contributors, as well as news updates and event notices from area organizations. Contributors include veteran local writers, historians, naturalists, and outdoor enthusiasts from around the Adirondack region. The information, views and opinions expressed by these various authors are not necessarily those of the Adirondack Almanack or its publisher, the Adirondack Explorer.
General inquiries about the Adirondack Almanack should be directed to editor Melissa Hart.
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