DEC Adirondack Outdoor Recreation Bulletin

May 4, 2023

This bulletin provides only the most recent notices. Check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for more detailed information on access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and conditions.

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, 833-NYS-RANGERS.

Welcome to the Adirondacks. The Welcome to the Adirondacks webpage provides information about the Forest Preserve, conservation easement lands, outdoor recreation, and Leave No Trace™.

Love Our NY Lands: All New Yorkers and visitors should be able to access, enjoy, and feel welcome on state lands. While enjoying these shared spaces, be respectful of other visitors. Share trails, treat people with kindness, and leave things as you found them for others to enjoy. All of us have a responsibility to protect State lands for future generations. Learn more about how you can Love Our NY Lands.

In This Issue

• Recent Notices
• Know Before You Go
• General Notices
• Safety & Education: Staying Dry This Spring
• Leave No Trace™: Give Trails a Break
• Recreation Highlight: Opportunity for Public Input on Visitor Use Management Project In Adirondack High Peaks And Catskills
• Summer Employment Opportunity with DEC
• Take Part in the DEC Informational Kiosk Survey

Recent Notices

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

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.

Watson's East Triangle Wild Forest:

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

Silver Lake Wilderness:

• West River Road (Town of Wells) which provides access to the Whitehouse trailhead of the Northville Placid Trail is open for the season.

Corinth Edinburg Conservation Easement:

• The Spruce Mountain Fire Tower hiking trail will have logging operations on the last 0.2 miles of the trail. Signage noting the location is in place. Be alert while hiking.

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.

Closures: Temporary closures of the Upper Locks on Saranac Lake and Lake Placid Boat Launch occurring over the next two weeks for routine maintenance and cleaning.

• The upper locks on Saranac Lake will be closed to all boat traffic May 2 to 4. Canoes and kayaks can carry around the locks.
• Lake Placid will close May 8 to 12

Know Before You Go:

Fire Danger (as of 5/4):

• Adirondack Park - LOW
• Champlain Region - LOW
• Southern Tier - LOW
• Check the fire rating map for daily updates.

Temperatures & Conditions: These are forecast temperatures for base elevations throughout the region.

Weekend temperatures in the high-50’s. Overnight temperatures throughout the weekend will be in the low to mid-30’s. Expect colder temperatures near freezing in higher elevations. Pack the appropriate layers and gear in case your trip goes longer than planned or an unexpected overnight occurs.

Conditions: : High Elevations continue to be a mix of mud and snow with some ice left over. Hikers should expect rotten snow spines with areas of deep snow above 3200’ in elevation, particularly on north facing trails.  River crossings will continue to be high due to recent rain and continued snowmelt and should be approached with caution. Snowshoes and microspikes are still needed for many 4000’ peaks.
 
*Trail conditions are wet and variable across the Adirondacks – even below 2500’. Water levels are high, and some waterways are impassable. Take caution and choose your objectives carefully.

Sunrise/Sunset: Sunrise = 5:40 a.m.; Sunset = 8:05 p.m. Make a timeline and stick to it. Pack at least one headlamp (two headlamps recommended) even if you expect to finish your activity before sunset.

Adirondack Mountain Reserve: Parking reservations will be required May 1 through Oct. 31 for single-day and overnight access to the parking lot, trailheads, and trails located on the privately owned, 7,000-acre AMR property in the town of Keene in the High Peaks region. For a list of frequently asked questions and to register, visit AMR's website.

Bear Canisters Required: NYSDEC requires the use of bear-resistant canisters by overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness between April 1 and November 30. NYSDEC encourages campers to use bear-resistant canisters throughout the Adirondack backcountry. Bear canisters should be used to store all food, food garbage, toiletries, and other items with a scent. Canisters should be stored a minimum of 100ft from tents, lean-tos, and cooking sites and kept closed whenever they are not being accessed. Learn more about bear canisters and avoiding human-bear conflicts.

Adirondack Rock Climbing Closures: DEC closes certain rock climbing routes in the Adirondacks to protect nesting peregrine falcons. For a full list of closures, visit Adirondack Rock Climbing Route Closures. Once peregrine nest sites are determined, climbing routes that will not disturb nesting will be reopened. Routes that remain closed will reopen after the young have fledged. Thank you for your cooperation. For more information please contact the Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 623-1240

Cold Water Advisory: Water temperatures are freezing and falling in can lead to immediate hypothermia. Use caution when paddling and hiking. Never attempt to cross high, fast-moving water, especially following rain or significant snowmelt. If there is precipitation forecast during the day, be mindful of how water crossings might swell between your first crossing and your return trip. Use extreme caution in areas of moving water, such as inlets, outlets, and streams. Banks will be icy and currents are swift.

Check the Weather: Check the forecast for your destination and pack and plan accordingly. Check the National Weather Service Northern Adirondacks and Southern Adirondacks Mountain Point Forecasts for select summit forecasts. Check both daytime and nighttime temperatures and remember that temperatures will drop as you gain elevation.

General Notices

Visit the main Adirondack Backcountry page for more trip-planning resources.

No Overnight Camping at Trailheads: Overnight camping is not permitted at trailheads or other roadside locations where a camping disc is not present. This includes individuals sleeping in cars, vans, and campers. Campers should seek out designated roadside campsites marked with a "camp here" disc or campgrounds. When camping, always carry out what you carry in and dispose of trash properly. Use designated bathroom facilities, pack out human and pet waste, or dig a cat hole.

Travel: Plan on arriving at your destination early and have several back-up plans in place in case parking at your desired location is full. Some seasonal roads may be closed for the winter season and not all parking areas are plowed. Check recent notices for road closure announcements

Seasonal Roads: Many seasonal access roads are closed for mud season. Check the Recent Notices for specific closure announcements and be prepared to turn around and take an alternate route.

Water & Ice Crossings: Water levels are above average for this time of year in the eastern and central portions of the Adirondack region and below average in the western part of the region. Check the USGS Current Water Data for New York for stream flow of selected waters. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs aka lifejackets) are strongly recommended.

Ticks: Wear light-colored clothing with a tight weave to spot ticks easily. Wear enclosed shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Tuck pant legs into socks or boots and shirt into pants. Check clothes and any exposed skin frequently for ticks while outdoors. Consider using insect repellent. Stay on cleared, well-traveled trails and walk in the center of trails. Avoid dense woods and bushy areas. Additional tips for tick prevention.

Statewide Burn Ban in Effect: The annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning began March 16 and runs through May 14. The annual brush burning ban helps prevent wildfires and protects communities during heightened conditions for wildfires. Backyard fire pits and campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width, or diameter are allowed, as are small cooking fires. Only charcoal or dry, clean, untreated, or unpainted wood can be burned. People should never leave these fires unattended and must extinguish them. For more information about fire safety and prevention, go to DEC's FIREWISE New York webpage.

Safety & Education

Whether you’re going for a hike, a ski, or out fishing, Hike Smart NY can help you prepare with a list of 10 essentials, guidance on what to wear, and tips for planning your trip with safety and sustainability in mind.

Staying Dry this Spring

There’s nothing like the feeling of those first warm days of spring. The glimpse of sunshine and blue skies may feel warm compared to the short and chilly days of winter, but don’t be reckless when it comes to staying warm and dry this season.

Hypothermia can set in at any temperature, especially in moderately cool and wet conditions like the spring and fall. Here’s a few tips to keep in mind as you get ready for some spring adventures:

Stay Low – DEC’s Muddy Trails Advisory recommends staying at lower elevations to decrease impact on our trails in the alpine, which are still draining from a larger snowpack. Since temperatures drop as you gain elevation, this is also great for relishing in the new found warmth of spring.

Pack Extras – Extra socks and a spare jacket can come in handy in the spring. The wet ground can soak through even the toughest boots in no time, and there’s no better relief than a change of socks or a warm jacket when the wind picks up.

Watch the Water – Rain, rivers, and other bodies of water can be temperamental this time of year. Water levels can rise unexpectedly, particularly after sudden rain. Keep an eye on the weather to stay dry, make note of any water crossings you may encounter on your day out, and have a plan if they become impassable.

Leave No Trace™

Follow the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace to maintain minimal impact on the environment and the natural resources of the Adirondacks. Use proper trail etiquette to ensure an enjoyable experience for yourself and others and tread lightly!

Give Trails a Break

As the snowpack melts off and the spring sun starts popping through, everyone is eager to get outside and enjoy the trails.

Spring showers and muddy ground can leave some trails vulnerable to erosion and destruction. This is important to consider before traveling in highly sensitive environments such as those at higher elevations.

Some trails, despite their low elevations, may have poor conditions that limit their use during mud season. Please respect local trail organizations and signage that indicates these trail closures.

Giving the trails a break ensures that everyone can enjoy better conditions once the weather and the ground begin to dry.

Opportunity for Public Input on Visitor Use Management Project In Adirondack High Peaks And Catskills

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced that Otak, Inc. is hosting and facilitating the first round of public meetings in the High Peaks and Catskills for the Visitor Use Management (VUM) project. Public and stakeholder input will play a key role in helping DEC and Otak develop appropriate management strategies for the High Peaks and Kaaterskill Clove project areas.

The meetings are scheduled as follows:

• High Peaks Project Area – May 9, 2023, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Harrietstown Town Hall Auditorium, 39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
• Kaaterskill Clove Project Area in the Catskills – May 10, 2023, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Coppertree Restaurant in the Base Lodge at Hunter Mountain, 64 Klein Avenue, Hunter, NY, 12442

The public meetings will begin with a foundation-setting presentation that highlights the project purpose, goals, and timeline, and introduces the VUM Framework and how it will be applied in the Adirondack High Peaks and Kaaterskill Clove in the Catskills project areas. Rather than a formal comment opportunity, interactive discussion groups will follow the presentation to gain an understanding of public interests and concerns and solicit public feedback.

The outcome of this initial phase will include a summary report of the process, recommended management strategies, and a monitoring plan. A second round of public meetings will be held in 2024 to present draft management recommendations.

View DEC’s March 8, 2023, press release about the project for more information.

Summer Employment Opportunity

Environmental Educators Needed! 

Join our Region 5 Outreach Team and become an integral part of the High Peaks Information Station Program. Educators will spend the summer educating on safe and sustainable recreation in the High Peaks. Your role as an educator is vital in protecting the Adirondack’s natural resources while enhancing the safety, experience, and wellbeing of our communities and visitors. Positions are based out of the Region 5 headquarters in Ray Brook, NY but educators will spend much of their time at their designated information station. 

Take Part in the DEC Informational Kiosk Survey

Give us your feedback and win a gift card to a sporting goods store! DEC would like your opinion on our informational kiosks. Kiosks are small, open wooden structures that provide cover for educational/informational signs. These kiosks are located at various state properties such as state forests, wilderness areas, conservation easements, wildlife management areas (WMAs), boat launches, and more. Take our survey to let us know what you think and be entered to win a $50 sporting goods store gift card and a free subscription to the Conservationist magazine! Winners will be announced each month from January 2023 through January 2024. A grand prize winner will be announced in January 2024 and will receive a $200 sporting goods store gift card and a free magazine subscription. By providing input, you can help us improve your outdoor experience!

For prize rules and regulations, please visit DEC's website.