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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.
Outdoor conditions (7/2): Beware aggressive raccoons
Outdoor Conditions: Hiker Information Stations
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
New:
Pharaoh Lake Wilderness: A bridge on the Pharaoh Lake Trail from the Pharaoh Lake Road trailhead was damaged by a fallen tree. The railing was damaged, but the bridge remains in usable condition. Please use caution. » Continue Reading.
Outdoor Conditions (6/18): New parking for Upper Works
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
High Peaks Wilderness: Visitor parking at the Upper Works trailhead will transition to a new lot starting today, June 18. The new lot is adjacent to MacNaughton cottage approximately one tenth of a mile before the old lot on Upper Works Road. The lot is located on land owned by the Open Space Institute. Parking at the old lot will no longer be permitted.
Outdoor conditions (6/11): Reminder that trailhead camping is not permitted
Important Notice: No Overnight Camping at Trailheads
DEC is receiving increased reports of people camping at trailheads in the Adirondacks. Please note that 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.
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
Outdoor conditions (6/4): Hinckley Reservoir open for public use
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
Last Week:
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: A beaver dam is partially obstructing Spider Creek’s passage under Route 30 between Follensby Clear Pond and Upper Saranac Lake.
Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area: The Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area, located in Herkimer County, is open for public recreation. The area is closed to swimming, although the beach remains open to visitors. Recreation opportunities at Hinckley include picnicking, paddling, and use of the beach. Swimming is not allowed because lifeguards are not currently available. For public safety, swimming is only permitted only when a lifeguard is on duty.
Outdoor conditions (5/28): Recreation openings for Memorial Day
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: A beaver dam is partially obstructing Spider Creek’s passage under Route 30 between Follensby Clear Pond and Upper Saranac Lake.
Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area: The Hinckley Reservoir Day Use Area, located in Herkimer County, will open for public recreation beginning Saturday, May 29. The area will be closed to swimming, although the beach remains open to visitors. Recreation opportunities at Hinckley include picnicking, paddling, and use of the beach. Swimming is not allowed because lifeguards are not currently available. For public safety, swimming is only permitted only when a lifeguard is on duty.
Outdoor Conditions (5/21): Warm weather, cold water
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.
Terry Mountain State Forest: The Redd Road gate is now open.
Lake George Wild Forest:
- Jabe Pond in Hague is now open.
- Lily Pond in Horicon is now open.
William C. Whitney Wilderness: The road to Lake Lila is now open.
Speculator Tree Farm: Elm Lake Road, Long Level Road, and the second half of Fly Creek Road are open.
Perkins Clearing Tract: Perkins Clearing, Jessup River Road are open. Old Military Road is not open yet.
Outdoor conditions (5/14): Low fire danger, wet trails
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
Speculator Tree Farm: Elm Lake Road, Long Level Road and the second half of Fly Creek Road are open.
Perkins Clearing Tract: Perkins Clearing, Jessup River Road are open. Old Military Road is not open yet.
Essex Chain Wilderness: All roads are now open.
West Canada Lakes Wilderness: Cedar River Flow Road is open to the Wakely Dam
Outdoor conditions (5/7): More seasonal roads reopen
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
Essex Chain Wilderness: All roads are now open.
West Canada Lakes Wilderness: Cedar River Flow Road is open to the Wakely Dam.
Tooley Pond Conservation Easement: The Allen Pond Road Gate and the Main Haul Road Gate are now open for the season.
Outdoor Conditions (4/30): Variable weather
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
Tooley Pond Conservation Easement: Gates on Spruce Mountain Road and Allen Pond Road are now open for the season.
Perkins Clearing and Speculator: Perkins Clearing Road will be open to the public starting next Friday, May 7. Jessup River Road is not open and the gate on Old Military Road will remain closed, therefore the access to Pillsbury Mountain Trailhead and West Canada Wilderness is also unavailable.
Outdoor conditions (4/23): Spring snow
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
High Peaks Wilderness: On Wednesday, April 21, 5 to 6 inches of snow accumulated at low elevations in the region. Hikers should expect over a foot of new snow accumulation on top of the 2 to 3 feet of existing snow pack at higher elevations. Be prepared for winter conditions and expect poor trail conditions this weekend.
McKenzie Mountain Wilderness: Moose Pond Road is now open.
Outdoor conditions: Seasonal road updates
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
McKenzie Mountain Wilderness: Moose Pond Road is now open.
Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest: Moose Pond Club Road is temporarily closed for repairs. No parking is allowed by the gate, as administrative access for repairs will need to remain open. Visitors can park across the Boreas River Bridge on old Rt 28N, and access the road on foot from there.
Outdoor conditions (4/2): AMR permit system
DEC and the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) have launched a no-cost pilot reservation system to address public safety at a heavily traveled stretch on Route 73 in the town of Keene in the Adirondack High Peaks.
The Adirondack Mountain Reserve is a privately owned 7,000-acre land parcel located in the Town of Keene Valley that allows for limited public access through a conservation easement agreement with DEC.
The pilot reservation system does not apply to other areas in the Adirondack Park. The reservation system, operated by AMR, will facilitate safer public access to trailheads through the AMR gate and for Noonmark and Round mountains and improve visitors’ trip planning and preparation by ensuring they have guaranteed parking upon arrival. In recent years pedestrian traffic, illegal parking, and roadside stopping along Route 73 have created a dangerous environment for hikers and motorists alike.
Outdoor conditions (3/26): Flood watch in effect
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
Northern Adirondacks: There is a flood watch in effect for the northern regions of the Adirondacks this weekend. Heavy rainfall combined with continued snowmelt is expected to swell rivers and waterways. Use extreme caution when driving or walking near waterways and at water crossings. Do not attempt to drive through flooded roads or flooded waterways.
Outdoor Conditions (3/19): Seasonal roads closed for mud season
The following are the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for comprehensive and up-to-date information on seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
Moose River Plains Complex: Gates on the Limekiln Lake-Cedar River Road are closed for mud season.
Lake Desolation State Forest and Conservation Easement: Snowmobile trails in the Lake Desolation area are closed. Trails in northwestern Saratoga County are managed by the Saratoga Snowmobile Association.
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