DEC Adirondack Outdoor Recreation Bulletin - August 22, 2019

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
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DEC Adirondack Outdoor Recreation Bulletin

August 22, 2019

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.

Emergency Situations: If you get lost or injured, keep calm and stay put. If you have cell service, call 911 or 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. Watch DEC's HikeSmartNY video for more.

Bear Advisory: While preparing for your camping or hiking trip, check area notices for active bear advisories. If there are active bears present where you are planning to go, either choose an alternative trip or thoroughly educate yourself on proper food storage, disposal of food waste, and what to do if you happen to encounter a bear. Learn more about avoiding nuisance bears.

Parking restrictions along Route 73: Be safe, enjoy your hike, and avoid a parking ticket. Do not park on the shoulders of State Route 73 in the four-mile section of 73 between Chapel Pond and the Rooster Comb Trailhead. Parking is allowed at trailheads and other designated pull-offs. Hikers planning to use the AMR parking lots and hike any of the nearby trails should identify alternate hikes before arriving as the lots fill quickly.


Plan Ahead

Check weather and trail conditions, regulations, and advisories before you travel. Have an alternative plan ready to ensure you can make the most of your time in the Adirondacks.

  • Know before you go: Before heading out on a hike, ask yourself these important questions first:
    • Am I prepared for any situation?
      • Run through a checklist of all gear, food, and clothing needed before leaving to be sure you have everything.
      • Use DEC’s 10 Hiking Essentials checklist for guidance.
    • Does the weather look clear for my hike, or is there a chance of rain, thunderstorms, snow, wind, hail, etc?10 Hiking Essentials
      • Always check the weather forecast for the morning, night, and morning after your hike for a clear idea of what to expect.
      • Checking the weather for the night and morning after allows you to be better prepared in case you are forced to spend an unexpected night in the woods. This includes packing extra necessary clothing layers to prevent hypothermia.
      • If the weather does not look favorable, choose to hike another day. Weather in the mountains can be very unpredictable and what may seem like a small chance can drastically turn worse quickly. If weather worsens while on your hike, turn back immediately. The summit will be there another day.
    • When does the sun set?
      • This will ensure you plan enough time to complete your hike during daylight hours. Always bring a headlamp and extra batteries with you in case your hike takes longer than expected.
      • Cell phone batteries are unreliable and will more than likely die on your hike down when using it as a flashlight. They also tend to die more quickly in colder temperatures.
    • Do I have a map of my route?
      • Carrying a paper map of your route along with notes of where junctions are, trail marker colors, and trail conditions will be sure you are always staying on the correct trail.  Cell phones are not reliable in the Adirondacks due to poor service. Can’t find this information online, email R5.info@dec.ny.gov for answers.
    • Do I have the emergency dispatch number written down on a card in my pack and saved in my cellphone?
      • Be sure to always carry the emergency dispatch number in case of an emergency. The emergency dispatch number for the Adirondacks is 518-891-0235, or call 911.
    • Does someone know my itinerary in case I do not return at my expected time?
      • Leave your trip plans including start time and expected time of return with someone at home or where you are staying in case your cell phone dies and you do not return on time.
      • This person should also know the emergency dispatch number and should know to call immediately if you do not return within your expected time frame.

Prepare

Properly prepare to better ensure a safe and enjoyable outdoor recreation experience. 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.

  • Prepare to take responsible bathroom breaks in the woods by packing these essentials and following these guidelines:
    • Pack earth-friendly toilet paper
    • Small shovel to dig cathole (a stick works great as well)
      • Deposit and bury solid human waste and toilet paper in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails
      • Cover and disguise the cathole when finished
    • Pack a sealable bag to carry out all toilet paper when a cathole is not used. Do not leave your toilet paper laying on the ground. This is extremely unsanitary for pets, wildlife, and others.
    • Pack hand sanitizer
  • Properly dispose of your trash: Carry out everything you carried in with you, including wrappers, food scraps, tissues, etc. and dispose of it in a proper trash receptacle. Trailhead portable toilets are not acceptable trash receptacles. Bringing an extra baggie makes it easy to pack out your waste and bring it with you until there is an appropriate place to dispose of it.
    • A note on food scraps- food scraps, when tossed in the woods, can attract wildlife such as bears and deer. Eating these food scraps can have extremely harmful impacts on wildlife. Although it’s easy to think the act of throwing them into the woods is ok because they are biodegradable, it actually takes over two years for food scraps to begin to decompose. Imagine all of the food scraps scattered in the forest. Don’t let yours be one of them!
  • Temperature variances: Adirondack nights and mornings are beginning to see temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s. Start your morning hike in warm layers and pack extra warm layers to prevent hypothermia, should an unexpected hike down in the dark or overnight in the woods happen. Campers should be aware of these temperature drops and pack warm clothes and sleeping bags rated for colder weather.


Practice Leave No Trace

Leave No TraceFollow 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.

Leave No Trace and Cairns

Cairns are intentionally constructed stacks of rocks that mark trails and guide hikers in the mountains above tree line, and in other barren areas. These route markers have been in use in the northeastern U.S. since the 1800’s. Cairns are very important guides for hikers during periods of low visibility and in winter when snow covers the trail.

By adhering to the following guidelines, you can minimize impact on cairns, and ensure they continue to serve as a critical route-finding tool for trail users and resource protection tool for the alpine landscape.

  • Do not build unauthorized cairns. When visitors create unauthorized routes or cairns, they often greatly expand trampling impacts and misdirect visitors from established routes to more fragile or dangerous areas.
  • Do not tamper with cairns. Authorized cairns are designed and built for specific purposes. Tampering with or altering cairns minimizes their route marking effectiveness. Leave all cairns as they are found.Scattered Cairns
  • Do not add stones to existing cairns. Cairns are designed to be free draining. Adding stones to cairns chinks the crevices, allowing snow to accumulate in the winter. When snow turns to ice and then melts in the spring, the freeze-­‐thaw cycle can turn the cairn into a rock pile.
  • Do not move rocks. Extracting and moving rocks make mountain soils more prone to erosion in an environment where new soil creation requires thousands of years. It also disturbs adjacent fragile alpine vegetation.
  • Stay on trails. Protect fragile mountain and alpine vegetation by following cairns or paint blazes in order to stay on designated trails

General Conditions/Notices

Learn the conditions you will encounter from Adirondack Backcountry Information.

All

  • Travel: Check NY511 for road closures and conditions.
  • Weather: 
    • Forecasts call for mostly sunny conditions with day time high temperatures in the 60s and 70s through the weekend.
    • Check the National Weather Service or NY Mesonow for updated hazardous weather notices and for current conditions and forecasts for the location where you plan to recreate.
  • Be Prepared:
    • Dress and pack for weather conditions including proper footwear.
    • Always carry the following items on any hike or paddle:
      • Water
      • Working headlamp or flashlight and extra batteries
      • Map of the area
      • Food or snack
  • Thunderstorm Safety: Thunderstorms can pop up even if they are not forecast.
    • Avoid summits, water surfaces and other open areas during thunderstorms. 
    • As soon as you are first aware of an approaching thunderstorm, move to lower elevations, head to shore, and seek shelter.  
    • If caught outside in a thunderstorm, find a low spot away from tall trees, seek an area of shorter trees and crouch down away from tree trunks.
  • Biting Insects: Expect to encounter deer flies, mosquitoes, no-see-ums (biting gnats), and ticks. Follow these steps to minimize the nuisance of biting insects: 
    • Wear light-colored, long sleeve shirts and long pants. 
    • Tuck shirts into pants, button or rubber band sleeves at the wrist, and tuck the bottom of pant legs into your socks.
    • Pack a head net to wear when insects are thick. 
    • Use an insect repellent and follow label directions. 
    • View these additional tips for tick prevention.
  • Fire Danger:Campfire
    • Low throughout the Adirondacks.
    • Check the Fire Danger Rating Map. to determine the Fire Danger Rating Area and updates to the Fire Danger Rating.
  • Seasonal Access Roads: All but two seasonal access roads are open to public motor vehicle traffic. Check the Specific Notices below for roads that remain closed.
    • Seasonal access roads are dirt and gravel which can be rough.
    • We recommend driving four-wheel drive SUVs, pick-up trucks, and other high clearance vehicles on these roads.
    • Roads may be narrow – use caution, drive slowly, and watch for oncoming vehicles.

Hikers & Campers

  • General Information: 
  • Trail Conditions: 
    • Trails are mostly dry but due to recent heavy rains, expect to encounter wet and muddy conditions in low areas and along water.
      • Wear footwear suitable for hiking through wet and muddy areas.
      • Protect trails and trailside vegetation – stay in the center of the trail and walk through mud and water, not around it.
    • Be aware that water levels will increase during and immediately after significant rain events - low water crossings may be difficult to cross.
  • Bear Resistant Canisters: 
    • Using bear-resistant canisters ensures campers don’t lose food, prevents creating nuisance bears, and is required for overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness until November 30. 
    • All food, toiletries and garbage must be stored in bear-resistant canisters. 
    • DEC encourages the use of bear-resistant canisters and other practices to avoid negative encounters with bears throughout the Adirondacks.
  • Mountain Summits:

Bikers

  • General Information: Biking
  • Trail Conditions:
    • Trails are mostly dry but may have muddy suctions due to recent heavy rains.
    • Please don’t ride on muddy trails. They are easily rutted and damaged through use - if you are leaving tracks, turn back.
    • The Barkeaters Trail Alliance provides information on the status of mountain bike trails in the Tri-lakes region of the Adirondacks.
  • E-bikes: Electric-powered bikes are prohibited on all bike trails on the Forest Preserve.

Boaters, Paddlers, and Anglers

  • General Information
  • Condition
    • Water levels in many rivers and streams remain below average to low despite recent rains.
      • Shallow sections of rivers and streams may be “bony” or otherwise too shallow to float through.
      • Check the USGS Current Water Data for New York for stream flow of selected waters.
    • Water temperatures are warm, though high elevation brooks will be cool.
    • DEC strongly recommends anglers, boaters and paddlers wear personal flotation devices (PFDs aka lifejackets).
  • Heat Stressed Trout and Salmon: Trout and salmon can experience physical stress whenever water temperatures climb above 70 degrees Fahrenheit.Paddling
    • In streams, heat-stressed fish will seek deep pockets of cold water, small feeder streams, or water released from deep reservoirs.
    • These refuges allow trout to avoid or recover from potentially fatal levels of heat stress.
    • Anglers can help trout and salmon by taking the following precautions during warm-weather fishing trips:
      • Avoid catch-and-release fishing for heat-stressed trout on hot days.
      • Do not disturb trout where they have gathered in unusually high numbers.
      • Fish early in the day.
      • Always have an alternate fishing plan in case water temperatures are too high at the intended destination.

Climbers 

  • Rock Climbing Route Closures: All rock climbing routes are open. DEC appreciates the cooperation and understanding of the climbing community during the closure period. Rock climbers also volunteer to identify nesting pairs, nest sites, and observed nest sites until the young fledge.

Recent Notices

Notices below reflect recent changes in conditions and recreation infrastructure work completed by DEC and its partners. Check the Adirondack Backcountry Information web pages for ongoing issues and more detailed information.

  • Kushaqua Conservation Easement Tract: Logging trucks will be using North Branch Road for the next month or more. Drive slowly, and watch and listen for logging trucks when driving on the road. Move safely off the road to allow them to pass.
  • High Peaks Wilderness: 
    • Garden Trailhead parking lot will remain closed until late September.
      • Hikers can only access The Garden Trailhead using the shuttle from Marcy Field until then.
      • Check the Town of Keene for the shuttle schedule and additional information.
    • The roof on the Bradley Pond Lean-to was recently repaired by volunteers from the Adirondack 46ers.
    • There continues to be high bear activity from Marcy Dam through Avalanche Pass to Lake Colden and Uphill Lean to/campsites. Campers should make every effort to avoid problems with bears: 
      • Be sure lids on bear resistant canisters are secure.
      • Store canisters at least 100 feet away from sleeping areas.
      • Do not cook or eat in sleeping areas!
      • Bear spray is an effective option for unexpected close encounters.
        • If using bear spray, be sure it is always accessible.
  • John Brown Conservation Easement Tract: Logging operations are finished, and the Brown Tract Trail is fully open for public use.
  • Boreas Ponds Tract: Work on Gulf Brook Road continues. (Updated)
    • The road will be closed to motor vehicles Monday through Friday for the next several weeks.
    • Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders may use the road but must use caution in active work areas, and follow the instructions of staff.
    • The road is open to the Fly Pond Gate on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Saranac Lake Wild Forest: State Department of Transportation is replacing the Spider Creek Culvert on State Route 30 between Follensby Clear Pond and Fish Creek Ponds.
    • Watercraft are not able to pass through the culvert.
    • A temporary carry to bypass the culvert has not been established yet.
    • People seeking to paddle in this part of Adirondacks should consider using existing canoe routes that avoid this culvert.
    • Parking at the water access site near the construction site will be open but may be congested.
    • The northern entrance to this parking area will be blocked.
    • The culvert will be closed through November.

Highlighted Trip - Long Pond Mountain, Saranac Inn, NY

Adventure NY

Long Pond Mountain (2,530 feet), located in the St. Regis Canoe Area, is a great destination that covers both paddling and hiking in one trip. The trailhead is located on the shores of Long Pond and can only be reached by paddling from one of the two hand launch sites on the pond. Paddlers should always have a personal flotation device (PFD) with them.

Begin by paddling 1.5 miles to the trailhead that leads to Mountain Pond. From Mountain Pond, take the unmarked trail that follows the shoreline east and then head due north climbing steeply to the summit. Long PondThe trail ascends 930 feet from the trailhead to the mountain's summit which provides views of the High Peaks in the distance.

Long Pond Parking Area is located on Floodwood Road. Once at the parking area, there is a 0.3 mile carry to the hand launch site on Long Pond. (44.3466° N, 74.4215° W)