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.

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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.

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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.


Saturday, January 21, 2023

APIPP: Forest Pest Hunters training webinar set for Jan. 24

Lake George

ADIRONDACKS – Forest Pest Hunter volunteer Bill Widrig has reported more than 300 forest pest survey observations, and he isn’t done yet. Widrig was among the first to join the Adirondack Park Invasive Plant Program’s Forest Pest Hunters effort when it began in 2021.

 

“Our property on the lake has old growth hemlock, some over 200 years old, that are very special to us,” Widrig said. “As hemlock woolly adelgid is a threat to these trees and all other hemlocks in the Northeast, I felt that I could not in good conscience just stand by and do nothing to help stop the spread of this pest.”

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Friday, January 20, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (1/20): Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden have poor ice coverage

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 (01/19): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 01/19. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 13.8in. of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin and several feet of snow at higher elevations. Conditions now require snowshoes to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness. Microspikes and crampons are also needed for traction on ice. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden have low quality ice coverage, with soft sections and areas of running water. Conditions on ski trails range from moderate to poor.

» Continue Reading.


Saturday, January 14, 2023

NYS Climate Action Council Finalizes Scoping Plan to Advance Nation-Leading Climate Law

dec logoNew York State’s Climate Action Council (Council) Co-Chairs, Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) President and CEO Doreen M. Harris, today announced the approval and adoption of the New York State Climate Action Council Scoping Plan (leaves DEC website), which outlines recommended policies and actions to help meet the goals and requirements of the nation-leading Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). After a 19-3 vote by the Council during a meeting on Dec. 19, 2022, the Scoping Plan is available to the public and will be submitted to the Governor and the State Legislature by Jan. 1, 2023. This critical milestone represents the culmination of over three years of collaboration, including contributions from the Council’s Advisory Panels and Working Groups, since the enactment of the Climate Act in 2019.

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Friday, January 13, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (1/13): Goodnow Mountain Trail closed through March 15 due to on-going timber harvest

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 (01/12): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 01/12. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 33cm of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin. Snow levels vary at higher elevations. Conditions now require snowshoes to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness where snow depths exceed 8 inches. Microspikes and crampons are needed.

Kushaqua Conservation Easement: Logging is in progress in the vicinity of the Mountain Pond Road. The road is being used as a haul road and is closed to ALL motorized use for the duration of the operation. Non-motorized users of the road should use extreme caution and expect to encounter log trucks.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Northern Forest Center to host Ensuring Climate Resilience webinar Jan. 17

Northern Forest Center logo.

The Northern Forest Center has announced the next webinar in their Building the New Forest Future series, Ensuring Climate Resilience, which will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, January 17 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Expert panelists will examine what communities can do today to ready themselves for environmental changes. Registration is free, but is required in order to participate in the webinar.
About the webinar:

Every community faces different pressures when it comes to our uncertain climate future. From flooding and drought to an influx of climate migrants, we will hear about ways communities can plan and prepare to face these changes. We will hear from communities that have already done this preparation and organizations that are leading the way. Speakers to be announced.

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Sunday, January 8, 2023

An Insatiable Hunger for Energy 

Combustion-related air pollutants

By the Numbers – Homes and Businesses 

We use energy in our homes every day; lots of energy. According to the United States Department of Energy, 40% of the energy consumed in the United States goes to powering our homes and commercial buildings.

We use energy to keep rooms at comfortable temperatures, to provide lighting, and to heat water. We also use energy to cook food and to power our phones, computers, games, and appliances.

 

By the Numbers – Transportation 

Even though Americans account for just 4.23% of the global population, with nearly 291-million registered vehicles, the U.S.A. is home to almost a quarter of the world’s cars. American motorists drive more than 3-trillion miles annually, and the Federal Highway Administration expects that number to grow by 22%, by 2049.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, January 6, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (1/6): Fluctuating temps, mix of rain and snow predicted for High Peaks

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 (01/05): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 01/05. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 24cm of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin. Snow levels vary at higher elevations. Conditions now require snowshoes to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness where snow depths exceed 8 inches. Microspikes and crampons are needed. Ski trails have deteriorating conditions. Lake and river crossings are unsafe due to thin ice and open areas.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, December 30, 2022

Outdoor Conditions (12/30): Snowshoes, microspikes, and crampons needed for Eastern High Peaks Wilderness

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 (12/29): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 12/29. Changing weather may affect conditions. There is 56cm of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin. Conditions now require snowshoes to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness. Microspikes and crampons are needed. Ski trails have fluffy snow from recent snowfall. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are unsafe due to thin ice and open areas from recent flooding.
  • Use caution at stream crossings. Due to recent flooding and subsequent cold temperatures, streams may have a deceptively thin covering of ice on top of deep water.

Clinton & Franklin County Snowmobile Trails: Snowmobile trail gates throughout the counties are open. Conditions will be variable.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, December 23, 2022

Outdoor Conditions (12/23): Hazardous weather, icy conditions expected through Saturday

outdoor conditions logo

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

High Peaks Wilderness Snow Report (12/21): PLEASE NOTE: The following report describes conditions as of Wednesday, 12/21. Hazardous weather conditions expected Thursday evening into Saturday will completely change conditions in the High Peaks Wilderness. Please see the special weather warning below for more information. There is 35cm of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin, with exposed rock and ice at higher elevations. Conditions now require snowshoes to be worn in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness. Microspikes and crampons are needed. Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake have open areas around moving water and dams – use caution on any ice.

» Continue Reading.


Thursday, December 22, 2022

ADK leaders urge state to reuse Moriah Shock Correctional Facility set to close Dec. 31

 

MINEVILLE, N.Y. – Leaders of Adirondack environmental organizations joined with local elected officials here today to urge Gov. Kathy Hochul not to mothball the former Moriah Shock Incarceration Facility as is planned by Dec. 31, but instead to reuse it to bolster conservation and boost employment. The leaders said there were several possible options that would bring new life to the structure. Reuse would help a small Adirondack community recover from the job losses and lost business opportunities associated with the closure of a state institution, they said. They also pointed to several recent state initiatives that would benefit from an additional state building in the Adirondacks, from which to offer training and housing.

“Moriah Shock campus is a diamond that lies within the eastern portion of the Adirondack Park,” said Moriah Town Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava. “The facility is in great condition and has the infrastructure to support this proposal. Moriah lost over 100 jobs when they closed it, which has had a severe economic impact on our community. To let this facility sit vacant is a travesty when a number of reuses are possible.”

» Continue Reading.


Friday, December 16, 2022

Outdoor Conditions (12/16): Heavy snow expected through Saturday in High Peaks, trails messy & slippery

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 (12/15): PLEASE NOTE: The following report describes conditions as of noon on Thursday, 12/15. Heavy snow expected Thursday night through Saturday will completely change conditions in the High Peaks Wilderness. There is currently minimal snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin. Higher summits also have minimal snow coverage. Trails in general are messy and slippery due to thin ice coverage. Microspikes are needed. Ski trails are not in good condition at this time. Lakes have thin ice and are not currently crossable.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, December 16, 2022

DEC Recreation Highlights: Special Weather Warning, Region 5 Children’s Holiday Party Postponed to Dec. 19

Heavy snow on trees

Winter Storm Warnings are in effect throughout the Adirondack region from Thursday afternoon, Dec. 15 through Saturday, Dec. 17. Heavy snow is expected, with accumulations of up to 18 inches or more in some areas. Travel will be difficult, road conditions may be hazardous, and power outages are possible.

DEC Environmental Conservation Police Officers, Forest Rangers, Emergency Management staff and regional staff are on alert, monitoring the developing situation and actively patrolling areas and infrastructure impacted by severe weather. DEC is coordinating resource deployment with agency partners and all available assets are positioned to assist with any emergency response.

DEC advises backcountry users to be aware of and prepared for winter conditions. Winter hiking and skiing safety and preparedness are extremely important no matter your physical ability or destination. Properly preparing for winter conditions is essential for a safe, enjoyable experience. Check the Hike Smart NY 10 Essentials for a baseline packing list and review winter hiking safety.

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