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Have a safe and enjoyable outdoor recreational experience on the lands and waters of the Adirondacks. Properly plan and prepare for your outdoor adventure. Minimize the impact on the mountains and forests, rivers and brooks, ponds and lakes, and the wildlife of the Adirondacks.
Check the Backcountry Information for the Adirondacks web pages for more detailed information on access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and conditions for those planning to recreate in the Adirondacks. This bulletin provides only the most recent notices.
Muddy Trails Advisory: DEC urges hikers to avoid trails above 2,500 feet to protect trails, soils, and vegetation. Check out this list of Adirondack hikes under 2,500 feet for great alternatives this spring.
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Walk through the mud, not around it- walking through the mud keeps the pressure in the center of the trail which is designed to take the use. By walking around mud or puddles, trailside vegetation becomes damaged or removed, and softer portions of the trail erode which can create unwanted wider trails. Widened trails mean less habitat for wildlife and insects and more damage to tree roots and vegetation.
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Wear waterproof boots- Having the proper equipment means you don’t have to choose between walking down the center of the trail or walking around the mud to protect your feet. Choose to walk right down the center of the trail, through the mud.
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Pack extra wool socks- Every boot has its limit on very wet trails. Bringing extra wool socks to keep your feet warm and dry will give you a more enjoyable hike and allow you to keep walking through the mud.
Emergency Situations: If you get lost or injured, keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Dispatch, 518-891-0235.
Check mountain weather conditions before heading out this weekend.
Packing the proper gear for a hike is very important, and you should be prepared to encounter all conditions. See our recommended packing list and safety tips.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Weather forecasts and conditions can and do change quickly. Check the current National Weather Service Forecast, and be prepared for the forecasted conditions, or change your plans.
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Ice, snow and mud present above 2,500 feet: Mixed trail conditions are present on trails in high elevations. DEC urges hikers to hike below 2,500 feet to protect trails, soils, and vegetation. Check out this list of Adirondack hikes under 2,500 feet for great alternatives this spring.
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Spring recreation tips: It's spring, and people are eager to get out into the warming weather or squeeze in the last of winter recreation. Follow these spring recreation tips to learn more about safely and ethically recreating during the spring months.
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Bear canisters are required in the High Peaks Wilderness: Bears are coming out of hibernation and are very hungry. If you are planning a backcountry camping trip in the High Peaks Wilderness, bring a bear resistant canister to reduce your chance of encountering a bear. Learn about bear canister facts, how to pack a canister, and how to store your canister properly while camping by visiting the Bear Resistant Canister webpage.
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Paddlers: Always wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Water temperatures are cold. A person in the water can quickly lose the ability to keep their head above water. Use caution entering and exiting your canoe or kayak. Expect high water levels and swift currents. Research your trip ahead of time and heed any high-water warnings or advisories for select paddling routes. Watch closely for trees, branches, rocks and debris both above the surface and underwater. Learn more about paddling on DEC's website.
Practice Leave No Trace
Follow proper trail etiquette to maintain minimal impact on the  environment and the natural resources of the Adirondacks, as well as ensure an enjoyable outdoor experience for all visitors by following the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace.
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Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces (Principle #2):
- As snow next to the trails melts, compacted ice in the center creates “monorails.” Monorails can be tough to traverse. Take your time, use crampons and other traction devices for walking directly on the monorail. This avoids post-holing in trailside snow and trampling fragile vegetation and wildlife habitats. Trekking poles are useful for balance.
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Minimize Campfire Impacts (Principle #5):
- The Spring Fire Season has begun. Fires can start easily and spread quickly due to large amounts of fuel (dead and dry leaves and vegetation). Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires. Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes. More on Fire Safety.
General Conditions/Notices
Learn the conditions you will encounter from Adirondack Backcountry Information.
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Travel: Check NY511 for road closures and conditions.
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Fire Danger: Low
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Spring in the Adirondacks:
- Mud and water in the lower to middle elevations
- Water levels are high and water temperatures are very cold
- Low water crossings may be problematic or impossible to cross.
- DEC strongly recommends anglers, boaters and paddlers wear Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs aka lifejackets).
- Snow and ice in the upper middle to high elevations
- Deep snow is still present in the higher elevations with 2-3 feet (or more) of snow present above 3,000 feet.
- Snow and ice may also be found in ravines, north facing slopes, thick forests, and other locations that receive little sunlight in the upper middle elevations.
- Weekend Forecast
- Daytime temperatures are forecast in the mid-50s to high 60s
- Night time temperatures will remain above freezing, even in the high elevations.
- Cloudy Saturday with chance of rain Sunday.
- Check the National Weather Service for current forecasts for the location where you plan to recreate.
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Water Levels: Recent heavy rains (and melting snow in the High Peaks Region) have raised water levels, and rivers and streams are flowing high and fast.
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Water Temperatures: Water temperatures are very cold.
- DEC strongly recommends anglers, boaters and paddlers wear Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs aka lifejackets).
- People immersed in cold waters can lose the ability to think clearly and move quickly after only a short time in the water.
- Anglers fishing from shore or wading should wear a personal flotation device.
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Seasonal Access Roads: All seasonal access roads are closed for mud season. The roads will be reopened after the frost has thawed, the roads are dry, and any necessary repairs and maintenance are completed.
Hikers
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General Information
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Muddy Trail Advisory: DEC has issued the annual Spring Muddy Trail Advisory
- Please protect high elevation trails and vegetation and postpone hikes on trails above 2,500 feet until these high elevation trails have dried and hardened.
- Snow and ice are currently melting on high elevation trails.
- Steep trails with thin soils can be dangerous to hike and are susceptible to erosion; and sensitive alpine vegetation is easily damaged.
- Choose any of the numerous trails under 2,500 feet to hike until the advisory is lifted.
- Trail Conditions:
- Mud and water are present on most all trails – protect trails and trailside vegetation by walking through mud and water not around it.
- Monorails of ice and compacted snow may be present on some trails – use crampons and walk on the monorails not on trailside vegetation.
- Water levels are high - low water crossings may be problematic or impossible to cross.
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Mountain Summits: Temperatures will be much colder, winds will be stronger, ice will be present, and snow will be deeper. Check the National Weather Service Mountain Point Forecasts for selected summits.
Bikers
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General Information
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Trail Conditions
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E-bikes: Electric powered bikes are prohibited on all bike trails on the Forest Preserve.
Boaters and Paddlers
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General Information
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Conditions
- Water levels are high and water temperatures are cold
- DEC strongly recommends anglers, boaters and paddlers wear Personal Flotation Devices.
- People immersed in cold waters can lose the ability to think clearly and move quickly after only a short time in the water.
- Due to high waters DEC has been unable to install docks at many DEC Boat Launches.
Anglers
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General Information: Fishing
- Wear proper footwear and use a hiking stick with a carbide tip to access the
 water.
- Water temperatures are extremely cold.
- Anglers should wear a PFD as a precaution.
- A person falling into the water could quickly lose the ability to keep their head above water.
- Water levels are high due to recent heavy rains.
- Anglers new to brook trout fishing should look to the Guide to Brook Trout Fishing in Adirondack Ponds for assistance.
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DEC Boat Launches: Due to high waters, DEC has been unable to install docks at many boat Launches.
Climbers
Recent Notices
Notices below reflect recent changes in conditions and recreation infrastructure work that DEC and its partners completed. Check the Backcountry Information for the Adirondacks for ongoing issues and more detailed information.
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Black River Wild Forest:
- Mill Creek Road is now open.
- Wolf Lake Landing Road and Loop Road remain closed.
- The bridge across the inlet to Bear Lake on the Bear Lake Trail is currently out. All users should be prepared to ford the stream or cross elsewhere.
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Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness: A correction, the Middle Branch Trail is flooded by beaver activity between Cedar Pond and Middle Branch Lake, not Middle Settlement Lake as currently stated on DEC's web page.
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Pharaoh Lake Wilderness: The bridge over Alder Brook on the Goose Pond Trail was heavily damaged by ice this spring. Alder Brook cannot be crossed at this time.
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Saranac Lake Wild Forest:
- The Moose River Pond Road is open.
- The DEC Lake Placid Boat Launch is closed while the bulkhead is being repaired. We expect it to reopen before the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
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Debar Mountain Wild Forest:
- The Debar Pond access road is open.
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High Peaks Wilderness:
- The roadway on the Bradley Pond Trail has been washed out by the Harkness Lake Outlet approximately a half mile from the parking lot. Until water levels drop hikers will be unable to cross the outlet.
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Muddy Trail Advisory: DEC has issued the annual Spring Muddy Trail Advisory
- Please protect high elevation trails and vegetation, and postpone hikes on trails above 2,500 feet until these high elevation trails have dried and hardened.
- Snow and ice are currently melting on high elevation trails.
- Steep trails with thin soils can be dangerous to hike and are susceptible to erosion; and sensitive alpine vegetation is easily damaged.
- Choose any of the numerous trails under 2,500 feet to hike until the advisory is lifted.
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Garden Trailhead Parking Lot Closed Spring and Summer 2019
- Hikers can access the Garden Trailhead using the Town of Keene’s Shuttle from Marcy Field.
- The shuttle will utilize an alternate route across private property.
- The public is prohibited from walking, biking, or driving on the alternate route.
- The shuttle schedule and additional information is provided by the Town of Keene.
- When the shuttle is not operating, hikers are encouraged to hike other trails in the area.
Highlighted Hike: Bald Mountain (Rondaxe Fire Tower), Old Forge, NY
Bald Mountain (2,350 Feet) is located in the Fulton Chain Wild Forest. The 16,028-acre Fulton Chain Wild Forest has approximately 19.9 miles of marked foot trails.
The total distance to hike to the summit of Bald Mountain is just under a mile and the ascent is about 500 feet from the trailhead. The start of the hike is a deceptively easy walk in the woods, but fairly soon you come to the steepest section where you climb a widely eroded trail up onto the top of the descending ridge. Soon after you begin to "top out" you come to the first of several intermediate viewpoints. After that, the trail follows the spine of the ridge with a few minor ups and downs. This ridge top trail is over bed rock much of the way.
The Rondaxe Fire Tower, located on the summit, has been restored so that you can climb up for the best views. The summit area is open, quite long and can easily accommodate a large number of hikers. Don't expect to be alone during this nearly two-mile round-trip hike, as it is a very popular hike.
There are spectacular views of the Fulton Chain of Lakes and Moose River Plains Complex from the rocky outcrop and fire tower at the summit.
Bald Mountain Parking Area: Along Rondaxe Road, east of the hamlet of Old Forge (43.745616°N, 74.899619°W).
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