Friday, March 24, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (3/24): Spring conditions, variable weather this weekend

outdoor conditions logoThe 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

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snow Report (03/23): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 03/23. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 50.4 inches (4.2 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and as much as 7 feet at higher elevations. There is considerable unconsolidated snow, especially off trail in wind deposited areas. Snowshoes or skis are required to be worn throughout the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, beginning immediately at trailheads. Snowshoes are recommended everywhere in the High Peaks region for safe and efficient travel. Bring microspikes and crampons for traction on ice. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen but use caution in areas of moving water such as inlets, outlets, and streams. Be prepared to turn around if conditions prove too difficult to complete your hike.

» Continue Reading.


Sunday, March 19, 2023

Stoneflies Are Emerging: A Sure Sign of Spring 

Stonefly Nymph

While enjoying a very spring-like late-winter afternoon beside the Trout River, at my home in northern Franklin County, I found myself greatly appreciating the sunshine and fascinated by the large number of black bugs that seemed to also be enjoying the sun’s long-awaited warmth.

The adult stoneflies were emerging in fairly-large numbers; making their way across the ice and snow and onto the tree trunks along the bank; some finding the half-dozen sap buckets I have hanging there. Unfortunately, several made their way into the sap contained in those pails.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, March 18, 2023

Adirondack Foundation, Northern Forest Center to host housing challenges webinar March 29 

housingA new report provides communities with tools and information for approaching housing challenges in the Adirondack region. Produced by Adirondack Foundation and the Northern Forest Center, “A Place to Start: Adirondack Housing Resources,” is a comprehensive document that includes data, strategies and tools employed by municipalities, economic development agencies, private contractors, appointed task forces, and regional nonprofits. A webinar introducing the report and highlighting successful projects to date will be held at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29. To sign up, visit bit.ly/housingresourceswebinar.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, March 17, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (3/17): High Peaks hikers should prepare to break trail, especially in the Colden area

outdoor conditions logoThe 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

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snow Report (03/16): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 03/16. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 56.7 inches (4.7 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and as much as 7 feet at higher elevations. There is considerable unconsolidated snow, especially off trail in wind deposited areas. Snowshoes or skis are required to be worn throughout the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, beginning immediately at trailheads. Snowshoes are recommended everywhere in the High Peaks region for safe and efficient travel. Many trails, especially in the Colden area, are not broken out – be prepared to break trail and account for the additional time and energy that will require. Bring microspikes and crampons for traction on ice. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen but use caution in areas of moving water such as inlets, outlets, and streams. Be prepared to turn around if conditions prove too difficult to complete your hike.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, March 10, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (3/10): Clear, calm weather predicted for Adirondacks this weekend

outdoor conditions logoThe 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

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snow Report (03/09): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 03/09. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 46.5 inches (3.9 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and likely deeper accumulations at higher elevations. Snowshoes are required to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness when snow accumulations reach 8 inches. Microspikes and crampons are needed for traction on ice. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen but use caution in areas of moving water such as inlets, outlets, and streams.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, March 3, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (3/3): Long Lake ice conditions variable, unreliable; use caution

outdoor conditions logoThe 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

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snow Report (03/02): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 03/02. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 45.3 inches (3.8 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and likely deeper accumulations at higher elevations. Snowshoes are required to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness when snow accumulations reach 8 inches. Microspikes and crampons are needed for traction on ice. Avalanche Pass ski trail is in good condition. The trail to Indian Falls is skiable with some sections affected by drainages. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen but use caution in areas of moving water such as inlets, outlets, and streams–they are not as frozen over as you may expect.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, February 25, 2023

Recreation Highlight: Use Caution on Avalanche Terrain

Winter landscape

DEC is advising backcountry downhill skiers, snowboarders, and all outdoor adventurers who may traverse slides or steep, open terrain in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks to be aware of and prepared for avalanche conditions.

Avalanche danger increases during and immediately after major snowfalls and during thaws. Recent warm weather brought significant melting and settling of snow before a winter storm Wednesday night into Thursday brought several inches of fresh snow to the High Peaks region, with new accumulations close to a foot in some places. Snow may be deeper on leeward slopes or areas of snow deposits, such as gullies. As snow accumulates over time it develops distinct layers formed by rain and melt/freeze cycles. When new snow falls onto previous snowpack, it adds weight and downward pressure. Lower snow layers may be reactive to the added stresses of recent snows, creating conditions conducive to avalanches.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, February 24, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (2/24): Headlamps for Hiking: Two is one and one is none

outdoor conditions logoThe 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

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snow Report (02/23): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 02/23. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 34.6 inches (2.9 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and deeper accumulations at higher elevations. Snowshoes are required to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness when snow accumulations reach 8 inches. Microspikes and crampons are needed for traction on ice. The Marcy Dam Truck Trail from South Meadows is skiable. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen, but always exercise caution on or near ice, especially near outlets.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, February 22, 2023

Field Training for Invasive Hemlock Woolly Adelgid set for March 11

closeup of hemlock woolly adelgid

Bolton Landing, NY – The public is invited to attend a hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) field survey training on Saturday, March 11, from 10 am to noon, at Hearthstone Point Campground in Lake George.

Program leaders will give an overview of winter outing safety skills, while teaching how to identify hemlock trees, survey for hemlock woolly adelgid, and report findings using iMapInvasives.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, February 21, 2023

LivingADK Board of Directors weighs in on proposed Old Forge housing development

The following Letter to the Editor was published in the Adirondack Express newspaper during the week of February 3 – 9, 2023.

“Dear Citizens, Business Owners, and Community Organizations,

The LivingADK Board recently discussed the community concern surrounding the proposed housing development on North Street. LivingADK has consistently played the role of an unbiased facilitator assisting to coordinate resources and investigate possible solutions for the achievement of our mission to help ensure sustainable communities along the Route 28 corridor. Community housing has been a major challenge for many years. Our organization has been a partner in the creation of the Town’s Comprehensive Plan (updated July 2019) and several housing needs assessments, one of which was the West Central Adirondack Housing Needs Assessment (June 2012). These documents and more recent needs assessments clearly identify the shortage of affordable community housing options. Housing is a complicated issue, one that has challenged communities across the Adirondack Park and in resort communities across the country. We understand there is no one miracle solution, instead it will be a mix of solutions.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, February 20, 2023

Support Local Small Farm Agriculture, Join a CSA Farm 

Tangleroot Farm

Small farms. The name says it all. Modest. Practical. Connected to the earth and the local population. Small farms were once the backbone of this country.

Small-scale farmers grow a diversity of fresh produce; often using very few or no chemicals. They raise livestock avoiding added hormones and antibiotics. They sell their goods at local markets and directly to neighbors, friends, and other members of their community.

They’re a self-reliant lot; sometimes stubbornly independent. They love the outdoors. They’re not afraid to work 80 hours a week. And they’re content to reap fair and honest compensation for fair and honest work. They’re creative, resourceful, resilient agricultural entrepreneurs who love their land and the food they grow on it; food that’s the finest, the freshest, and the best that money can buy.

As consumers, we have a choice. We can buy our food from small, local, independent growers who sell their own home-grown produce and meat direct to the public and enjoy the freshest, highest-quality food possible, or we can buy food produced on industrial, corporate, factory farms; and support stockholders, middlemen, and a soulless, faceless, global, industrialized-food-system.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, February 17, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (2/17): Fluctuating temps lead to variable ice conditions on Adirondack waters

outdoor conditions logoThe 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

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snow Report (02/16): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 02/16. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 27.6 inches (2.3 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and deeper accumulations at higher elevations. Snowshoes are required to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness when snow accumulations reach 8 inches. Microspikes and crampons are needed for traction on ice. The Marcy Dam Truck Trail is skiable. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden have variable ice conditions and crossings near inlets/outlets are dangerous – always exercise caution on or near ice. Camping adjacent to the Opalescent River at the south end of Lake Colden is discouraged due to recent flooding.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, February 10, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (2/10): Loon Lake Mountains Saddle Trail closed due to logging operations

outdoor conditions logoThe 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

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snow Report (02/09): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 02/09. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 28 inches (2.3 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and deeper accumulations at higher elevations. Snowshoes are required to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness when snow accumulations reach 8 inches. Microspikes and crampons are needed for traction on ice. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen – always exercise caution on or near ice.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, February 3, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (2/3): Northern NY under windchill warning through Sat., windchill temps -30°F to -45°F

outdoor conditions logo

Special Weather Warning: (02/02) – A wind chill warning for northern New York is in effect from 1 a.m. Friday until 1 p.m. Saturday. Dangerously cold wind chills are expected, with wind chill temperatures reaching as low as -30°F to -45°F at base elevations. The dangerously cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

Conditions will be even more severe at higher elevations. Higher elevations will see stronger winds in the 30-40 mile per hour range and wind chill temperatures dipping into the -60°Fs. For reference, these conditions are more severe than what is forecast for the South Pole of Antarctica – please take these conditions seriously.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, January 27, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (1/27): Microspikes & crampons needed for traction on ice

outdoor conditions logoThe 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

High Peaks Wilderness:

  • Snow Report (01/26): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 01/26. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 25.6in (over 2 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and deeper accumulations at higher elevations. Snowshoes are required to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness. Microspikes and crampons are needed for traction on ice. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are frozen – always exercise caution on or near ice. Ski trails are skiable.

» Continue Reading.



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