Friday, June 16, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (6/16): Tips for hiking with pups

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

Nothing new this week

Last Week

Independence River Wild Forest:

  • Eatonville Trail will remain closed through mid-July.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, June 9, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (6/9): State’s fire danger rating moderate to high for most of the season

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

Independence River Wild Forest:

  • Eatonville Trail will remain closed through mid-July.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, June 2, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (6/2): ADK Park under a high fire danger rating

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

Boreas Ponds Tract

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

» Continue Reading.


Friday, May 26, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (5/26): Hikers encouraged to arrive at trailheads early, prepare for crowded trails 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

  • Per the conservation easement agreement with Elk Lake Lodge, the Gate at Clear Pond is now open to Public Motor Vehicles and will remain open until the start of Big Game season (in October). Parking at the Elk Lake Parking Lot Trailhead is limited and NO PARKING is allowed along the roadway. When the trailhead parking fills up, hikers will need to park at the Upper Elk Lake Road Parking Lot on the west side of the Elk Lake Road approximately 2.3 miles south of the Elk Lake Parking Lot Trailhead. While driving on Elk Lake Road, please respect posted lower speed limits. Please help ensure the Conservation Easement is respected and all users have a safe and enjoyable experience.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, May 19, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (5/19): Fourth Lake Boat Launch in Inlet opens May 20

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

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.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, May 12, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (5/12): Hikers encouraged to pack essentials for tricky Spring weather

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

Lake George Wild Forest

  • Dacy Clearing gate in Shelving Rock is open.
  • Jabe Pond Road and Lily Pond Road mud gates are open.

» Continue Reading.


Monday, May 8, 2023

Paul Smith’s VIC to host May 11 discussion on how climate change, carbon sequestration impact forests

Paul Smiths, NY – The Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC) will be hosting a free panel discussion on the impact of climate change and carbon sequestration in forests. The event will be on Thursday, May 11. The event is free and open to the public. The Adirondack Council’s Rewilding Advocate, John Davis, will lead a world-renowned panel of scientists on how the climate change crisis will impact carbon sequestration in forests, as well as the discussion between “young” and “old” forests and how each sequesters carbon.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, May 5, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (5/5): Muddy trails advisory still in effect for higher elevations as snowpack melts

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

Saranac Lakes Wild Forest:

  • Little Clear Pond Road is now open.

Independence River Wild Forest:

  • All mud gates will be closed the week of March 3rd and will reopen when conditions allow.

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, May 2, 2023

27th Annual Conference on the Adirondacks set for May 18 and 19

Adirondack Research Consortium logo

Adirondack Research Consortium (ARC) will host the 27th Annual Conference on the Adirondacks on May 18 and 19 at the Conference Center at Lake Placid in Lake Placid, NY. This year’s conference will focus on “Climate Change in the Adirondack/North Country Region Mitigation, Adaption, and Implications.”

» Continue Reading.


Monday, May 1, 2023

Sections of State Route 74 to be closed in Essex County this weekend

NYS DOT graphic

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that State Route 74 will be closed between U.S. Route 9 at Exit 28 of the Adirondack Northway (Interstate 87) and the intersection with State Route 9N/State Route 22 in the Town of Ticonderoga, Essex County, from 6 p.m. Friday, May 5, until 6 a.m. Monday, May 8, to facilitate the replacement of a culvert at Eagle Lake, weather permitting. The rain dates for this work and closure are from May 12 to May 15.

» Continue Reading.


Friday, April 28, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (4/28): Upper locks on Saranac Lake closed to boat traffic May 2 – 4

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:

    • Mud Season: Hikers are advised to avoid trails above 2,500ft for the duration of the muddy trail advisory for several reasons:
      • sliding boots destroy trail tread, can damage surrounding vegetation, and erode thin soils causing washouts;
      • rotten snow and monorails are a safety hazard even with proper equipment; and
      • high elevation and alpine vegetation are extremely fragile in spring months as they start their regrowth after winter.
      • Until conditions improve, hikers are encouraged to responsibly explore low-elevation trails or enjoy other forms of recreation.

» Continue Reading.


Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Adirondack Rail Trail construction underway between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake

The Adirondack Rail Trail as seen in the nine-mile segment between Floodwood and Tupper Lake.

On April 21, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of General Services (OGS) announced the start of 2023 construction on the Adirondack Rail Trail between Station Street in Lake Placid and Broadway in Saranac Lake. This trail segment is now closed to all users during construction.

The world-class Adirondack Rail Trail is a 34-mile multi-use recreational path for outdoor adventurers between Tupper Lake and Lake Placid. OGS is leading the trail‘s design and construction with the intent to make it accessible to people of all abilities to the maximum extent practicable. Upon completion of constructionDEC will assume day-to-day management of the trail working closely with stakeholders and municipalities. Estimated timing to complete the Rail Trail is dependent on multiple factors including contract approvals, permits, and coordinating with State, Federal, and local entities. Construction of the compacted stone dust surfaced trail will be undertaken in stages. The work now underway is part of phase one of the Rail Trail project and is anticipated to be completed in the fall.

Read more about final construction of a segment of the Adirondack Rail Trail between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake by checking out Tim Rowland’s Adirondack Explorer story at this link: https://www.adirondackexplorer.org/stories/adirondack-rail-trail-work-resumes

» Continue Reading.


Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Temporary Boat Launch Site Closures at Lake Flower, Lake Placid

dec logoOn Tuesday, April 25, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced temporary closures of Lake Flower and Lake Placid boat launch sites over the next two weeks for routine maintenance and cleaning.

The Lake Flower boat launch will close from April 25 to 27 and the Lake Placid boat launch will close May 8 to 12. Boaters can access Saranac Lake at the Upper and Lower boat launches. For more boat launches nearby, go to DEC’s website.

 

Photo at top courtesy of the NYS DEC/Adirondack Almanack archive photo.


Friday, April 21, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (4/21): High Peaks hikers advised to avoid trails above 2,500 feet

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:

    • Mud Season: Hikers are advised to avoid trails above 2,500ft for the duration of the muddy trail advisory for several reasons:
      • sliding boots destroy trail tread, can damage surrounding vegetation, and erode thin soils causing washouts;
      • rotten snow and monorails are a safety hazard even with proper equipment; and
      • high elevation and alpine vegetation are extremely fragile in spring months as they start their regrowth after winter.

Until conditions improve, hikers are encouraged to responsibly explore low elevation trails or enjoy other forms of recreation

» Continue Reading.


Friday, April 14, 2023

Outdoor Conditions (4/14): Sunshine & 70s this weekend, tips for tick prevention

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 (04/13): The following report describes conditions as of Thursday, 04/06. Changing weather may affect conditions.
    • There is 29.5 inches (2.4 feet) of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin.
    • Snowshoes or skis are required to be worn throughout the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, beginning at approximately 2,000ft (around the elevation of Marcy Dam). 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 unstable and are not safe to cross.
    • Be prepared to turn around if conditions prove too difficult to complete your hike.

» Continue Reading.



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