Current Conditions in the High Peaks Region
Compiled on December 28, 2017

Backcountry Information for the High Peaks Region

Please be advised of the following conditions and prepare for them to ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor recreational experience.

Extreme Cold Temperatures: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a wind chill warning for most of the Adirondacks through 7 am Friday (12/29) with expected wind chills of 25 to 40 below zero. This will cause frostbite to exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes.

A prolonged stretch of very cold temperatures may result in future wind chill warnings and advisories. High temperatures through the weekend are forecast to be in single digits above and below zero while the low temperatures are forecast to in teens and twenties below zero. Wind chills will be much colder.

Temperatures and wind chills will be even lower on high mountain summits, surface of water bodies and other exposed areas. The NWS forecast for the summit of Mt. Marcy on Friday is: High Temperature, -6; Winds, 25-35 mph; and Wind Chill, as low as -39.

Weather forecasts and conditions can and do change quickly.

• Check the current National Weather Service Forecast and be prepared for the forecasted conditions. 
• NY Mesonow has two dozen stations in and just outside of Adirondacks that provide real time weather data and forecasts.
• Carry extra clothing, equipment, and supplies in case of an unanticipated overnight stay.

Winter Conditions: Below freezing temperatures, snow, and ice are present throughout the Adirondacks. Snow depths range from 12 to 15 inches, more in the highest elevations. See the NERFC Snow Page for more information. Be prepared for conditions:

Learn how to have a safe and enjoyable outdoor winter experience.

Be prepared for extreme cold conditions, and avoid frostbite and hypothermia 

• Wear items of clothing to cover all skin including: 
• Layers of synthetic or wool winter clothing
• Warm socks and winter boots 
• Insulated, wind resistant upper and lower outer shell  
• Hat and gloves or mittens 
• Scarf or ski mask 
• Goggles or glasses
• Hike, snowshoe, and ski on low elevation, wooded trails 
• Spend only short periods of time in the outdoors

Short Days: Carry a headlamp or flashlight on all hikes. 

• Be sure to have fresh batteries and carry extras. 
• Do not depend on your cell phone as a flashlight; the batteries will drain quickly and you will be unable to call for help.

Trail Conditions: Snow and ice is present on all trails and at all elevations. 

• Use of snowshoes or skis is warranted throughout the region 
• Use of snowshoes or skis is encouraged to prevent "post-holing", avoid injuries, and ease travel on snow. 
• Post-holing (leaving deep foot prints in the snow) makes trails more difficult and more hazardous for others to use. 
• The use of snowshoes or skis is required in the High Peaks Wilderness
• Crampons should be carried and used on icy summits and other areas of ice build-up.

Ice on Water: Despite current and forecasted extremely cold temperatures ice has only recently begun forming. Be safe on ice.

• Always check the thickness of ice before traveling across it.
• Avoid ice: 
• Over running water
• Near inlets & outlet
• Near boathouses & docks - especially those with "bubblers" or other ice prevention devices.
• Remember, ice that holds snow may not hold the weight of a person or snowmobile.

Summits: Temperatures will be colder, winds will be stronger, wind chill temperatures will be much lower, snow will be deeper, and ice will be present.

• Avoid high elevation summits during extreme cold and windy conditions 
• Winds will create low wind chill temperatures and white out conditions
• If you do go despite the warnings, be sure to carry a sleeping bag and shelter

Practice Leave No Trace: Please abide by the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace when recreating in the High Peaks Region. Protect the lands and waters of the Adirondacks that awe and inspire.

NOTICES

Lake Colden Caretaker Report:

• 30 in. (76 cm) of snow at the stake on the shores of Lake Colden (Elevation 2,750 ft. / 838 m) 
• 3 to 4 ft. (91 to 122 cm) in the higher elevations 
• Snowshoes needed beyond Marcy Dam (Elevation 2,355 ft. / 817 m) 
• Between Adirondak Loj Trailhed and Marcy Dam trail is ice covered by snow
• Lake Colden and Avalanche Lake are iced in and being crossed by skiers and snowshoers
• South Meadow Lane and Marcy Truck Trail are skiable 
• Avalanche Trail and most other trails are in good condition for skiing

Elk Lake Trails: The two trails through the Elk Lake Easement lands connecting to the High Peaks Wilderness and the Dix Mountain Wilderness, are open once again. However, the Clear Pond Gate on the Elk Lake Road will remain closed through the spring mud season. This will add four miles to a roundtrip hike, plan accordingly.

Corey’s Road: The gate will remain open until March 1, however the road and parking areas may not be plowed. If you don’t’ have a four-wheel drive vehicle and there is snow on the road, consider parking along the plowed section of road and walking. DO NOT BLOCK TRAFFIC. Have a shovel in your vehicle in case you need to dig out after a snowstorm.

South Meadow Lane: The lane is closed to public motor vehicle traffic until the end of the spring mud season. Vehicles can park at the barrier just off the Adirondac Loj Road. Do not block the opening as it used for emergency access.

Mr. Van Lean-to: A large tree has fallen on the lean-to on the Mr. Van Ski Trail causing severe damage and rendering the lean-to unsafe and unusable. DEC is working with partners to evaluate the extent of the damage and the requirements and timing of repairs.

Phelps Trail: Several sections of the trail in the Upper Johns Brook Valley contain extensive amount of blowdown (fallen trees, limbs, and branches). Please use caution when hiking in and around this area.

Cold Brook Trail: This trail between Indian Pass and Lake Colden is no longer a designated trail and is not maintained. It has not been a designated trail since Tropical Storm Irene devastated the trail in 2011.

Bradley Pond Trail: A new section of this trail to Santanoni Mountain has been constructed near the beginning of the trail to avoid the two crossings which had unusable bridges. The new trail section leaves the old trail just as the trail leaves the gravel road and crosses Santanoni Brook on a newly constructed bridge, and then joins the old trail a short distance later.
 
Owls Head: The trail across private lands to the summit is closed to public access and use on weekends, but remains available for public use on weekdays. Please stay on the trail and avoid trespassing on private lands.