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 (12/29): 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.

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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.

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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 (12/15): 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.

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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 (12/08): There is minimal snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin. Higher summits also have minimal snow coverage – snowshoes may not be needed, but microspikes are highly recommended. Ski trails are not in good condition at this time. Trails in general are messy and slippery due to thin ice coverage. Lakes have thin ice and are not currently crossable.

Pine Lake Primitive Area: Seasonal gates on Chain of Lakes Rd. have been closed for the season

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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 (12/01): There is approximately 5 inches of snow at the Colden Caretaker Cabin. Higher summits have approximately a foot of snow – bring snowshoes. Ski trails are not in good condition at this time. Trails in general are messy and slippery due to thin ice coverage. Avalanche Lake and Lake Colden are not crossable.

William C. Whitney Wilderness: Public access to Lake Lila is closed for the winter season.

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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 (11/23): 13cm at the Colden Caretaker Cabin. High summits have enough accumulation for snowshoes or skis to be required. Low elevation ski trails do not have adequate coverage for skiing. In general, trails are messy with thin snow and ice coverage. Avalanche and Colden lakes have some ice present but coverage is not complete or consistent. 

Lake George Wild Forest: The Cat Mountain Red Trail from Edgecomb Pond Road to the summit is currently undermarked due to hikers taking trail markers as souvenirs. The trail is difficult to follow in winter conditions without proper marking. Please, leave trail markers where you find them for the safety of other hikers. The Blue Trail offers a well-marked alternate route to the summit.

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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

Boreas Ponds Tract: Gulf Brook Road is closed to motor vehicle traffic for the winter season starting at the Blue Ridge Parking Area. The Blue Ridge Parking Area will remain open – plowing of the lot is subject to the Town’s plowing schedule.

Pharaoh Lake Wilderness: A bridge on the Pharaoh Lake Trail is out. Crossing may not be possible during high water – users should be prepared to turn back if conditions are unsafe. The bridge is at a curve in the trail, with steep approaches from both directions. Winter users should be prepared to stop completely at this location to assess conditions before crossing.

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The following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for a full list of notices, including seasonal road statuses, rock climbing closures, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information

NEW THIS WEEK

Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway: The parkway will close for the 2022 season at 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11. Please note the shuttle to the summit of Prospect Mountain is not available at this time. Admission fees to access the highway are temporarily waived. For more information about visiting the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway Day Use Area, go to DEC’s website.

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The following are only the most recent notices pertaining to public lands in the Adirondacks. Please check the Adirondack Backcountry Information 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: Construction has begun on the first phase of the future Adirondack Rail Trail. The first segment of the trail between Station Street in Lake Placid and the intersection of Cedar Street and Route 86 in Saranac Lake will be closed to public access during active construction. Construction will pause in early December, allowing for winter recreation. Details will be provided on the rail trail webpage as they become available. Please respect posted signage and barricades in work areas and email Info.R5@dec.ny.gov with questions.

High Peaks Wilderness: Significant ice has accumulated on some high-elevation trails. Be prepared with appropriate traction devices, including micro spikes for use on thin ice over flat trails and crampons for thick ice and ice on steeper slopes.

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