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 New York 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 New York Lands.
In this issue:
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.
Follow @NYSDECAlerts on X for updates about DEC-managed lands across New York State! The @NYSDECAlerts X feed provides real-time info on the most crowded places, especially when those places and parking areas are at capacity.
NEW THIS WEEK
If you notice any damage or hazardous areas not listed below, please report to info.r5@dec.ny.gov.
High Peaks
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Weekly Snow Report: As of Wednesday, 4/23, snow depths were recorded to be 30cm (12in) at the stake at the Lake Colden Interior Cabin (~2,750 feet elevation). Therefore, snowshoes are still needed for that area and Avalanche Pass!
Southern
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Silver Lake Wilderness: West River Road, which provides access to the Whitehouse Trailhead of the Northville Placid Trail, is open for the season.
LAST WEEK
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Weekly Snow Report: As of Wednesday, 4/16, snow depths were recorded to be 55cm (22in) at the stake at the Lake Colden Interior Cabin (~2,750 feet elevation). Deep snow is still present across much of the High Peaks backcountry at higher elevations. Visitors are advised to not be misled by potential snow-free conditions at trailheads. Any visitor headed to higher elevations (including Avalanche Pass) should carry snowshoes or skis and be prepared to use them. Also, areas of unsafe ice exist on Avalanche Lake/Lake Colden- and on backcountry lakes and ponds in general right now.
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Independence River Wild Forest: Water is turned off at the Otter Creek Assembly Area. The water will be turned back on in May.
Fire Danger: Check the fire rating map for daily updates.
Sunrise/Sunset: Sunrise = 5:53 a.m.; Sunset = 7:53 p.m. Pack at least one headlamp (two headlamps recommended) even if you expect to finish your activity before sunset. Phone batteries drain quickly and are discouraged.
Water Crossings: Water levels are below average for this time of year throughout the Adirondack region, but could rise significantly this weekend! Expect water levels to rise with new rainfall. Check the USGS Current Water Data for New York for stream flow of selected waters. (Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs aka lifejackets) are required from November through May.)
Temperatures: These are forecast temperatures for base elevations throughout the region.
Weekend temperatures in the region at base elevations are expected to produce highs in the upper-60s and lows in the upper-30s. Rainy all weekend which may cause possible high stream crossings/flash flooding!
Check the National Weather Service’s Mountain Point Forecast for more accurate forecasts at elevation on or near your intended route.
Reminder: These forecasts are for low elevations. Anticipate losing 5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
Even with sunny skies, inclement weather is always a possibility and can change very quickly. Remember – hypothermia is always a risk in wet conditions, even when it feels warm outside. Be prepared with extra dry layers and keep an eye on the weather.
Conditions: There is a possibility of stream level rise/flash flooding this weekend due to the amount of rain in the forecast. Consider avoiding trails with stream crossings and sticking to lower elevations. Be prepared for mud season and spring conditions at lower elevations, but know that it is still winter at high elevations with lots of snow still present up higher throughout the High Peaks, warranting snowshoes! Do not be misled by a warm and sunny trailhead as temperatures and conditions change drastically by the summit. Be prepared with proper clothing (non-cotton base layers to wick away moisture, insulating mid-layers, and waterproof shell layers) and equipment for varying conditions of snow, mud, slush, or ice. Keep in mind that moving water is prone to thin ice and use caution. Bring traction devices, wool socks and gaiters. Traction devices are crucial to navigate monorails and soft, melting snow which is prone to post-holing.
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.
Check the Air Quality Index (AQI) Forecast: If the AQI is forecast to exceed 100, DEC and the New York State Department of Health (DOH) will issue an Air Quality Health Advisory with precautionary recommendations for affected areas. View DEC’s current AQI forecasts and real-time air pollution data from DEC’s monitoring network.
Visit the main Adirondack Backcountry page for more trip-planning resources.
Adirondack Mountain Reserve: From May 1 through Oct. 31 (2024), reservations are required to access the parking lot, trailheads, and trails located on the privately owned 7,000-acre AMR property in the town of Keene in the Adirondack High Peaks region. For a list of frequently asked questions, visit AMR's website. NOTE: This program is managed directly and exclusively by AMR, not DEC. For questions or concerns about the reservation system, please directly contact AMR using the Contact Us section of their website.
Annual Brush Burn in Effect: The annual statewide ban prohibiting residential brush burning is in effect from March 16 through May 14. Read the press release for more information.
Ice Safety: Moving water is prone to thin ice and should be treated with caution.
Seasonal Road Closures: Read DEC’s Adirondack Backcountry Information page for specific road conditions and information.
Bear Canisters, Required Dates: 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 Rail Trail: The Adirondack Rail Trail is a multi-use trail allowing for various types of recreational activities. To ensure safety for all while sharing the trail, all users should travel on the right side of the trail unless passing others. Groups should move in single file on the right when other users are passing. Cyclists should pass on the left and inform others prior to and while passing. Snowmobilers should pass slowly on the left and travel in single file, paying extra attention to those nearby at turns, intersections, and popular/congested areas. Lastly, pet owners must ensure that all waste is picked up and dogs are kept on leashes. For information on what sections of the trail are currently open or under construction, or what public motorized use is allowed, visit the Adirondack Rail Trail webpage.
Mount Colden Trapdike: The trapdike is considered a technical climb and not a hike. Climbers should be prepared with helmets, ropes, and climbing gear to ascend this route. Hikers looking to summit Mount Colden should do so via the hiking routes. Attempting to climb the trapdike unprepared can result in a rescue operation, serious injury, or death.
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 open 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. Check recent notices for road closure announcements.
Join us for the 14th annual I Love My Park Day on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Parks & Trails New York (PTNY), in partnership with DEC and New York State Parks, hosts I Love My Park Day on the first Saturday in May. This event brings together thousands of volunteers from across the state to participate in cleanup and improvement events at New York State parks, historic sites, and public lands. Help celebrate and protect New York's park system and prepare our public lands for spring by cleaning up litter, planting native plants, restoring trail and wildlife habitat, removing invasive species, and working on various site improvement projects. Gather your friends and family and join your community in helping to preserve and protect New York lands!
Adirondack locations:
- Ausable Point Campground (Clinton County)
- Paul Smith’s VIC (Franklin County)
- Lake George Battlefield Day Use Area (Warren County)
- Lake George Beach Day Use Area (Warren County)
- Moffit Beach Campground (Hamilton County)
- Lewey Lake Campground (Hamilton County)
- Rogers Rock Campground (Warren County)
- Cranberry Lake Campground (St. Lawrence County)
- Nicks Lake Campground (Herkimer County)
Volunteer registration for I Love My Park Day is now open! Register online at Parks & Trails New York.
I Love My Park Day is a Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Day event! Check out our other Love Our New York Lands Stewardship Days and see how you can participate in stewardship and conservation year-round.
Temperatures are warming up at base elevations but it’s still winter at some higher elevations!
You might think that now is a great time to put away the thick wool socks and base layers and opt for something more springy like a light cotton tee shirt with your jacket over top. But that’s a bad idea in the backcountry. And it’s not about fashion, it’s about safety!
Have you heard the saying, “Cotton kills”? This is because cotton absorbs and holds onto moisture, such as moisture from working up a sweat while hiking. Moisture-wicking fabrics, on the other hand, draw your sweat away from your skin. Wool is a great moisture-wicking fabric, but polyester works too.
So when you’re planning your next backcountry adventure, please remember to avoid cotton base layers (the innermost layers closest to your skin) and opt for moisture-wicking fabrics instead. Otherwise, your clothing can become soaking wet very quickly which can lead to hypothermia. And this danger increases this time of year as hikers may mistakenly expect the summit to be as sunny and warm as the parking lot.
Preparedness applies not just to what’s in your pack but also to the clothes on your back!
No matter what form of outdoor recreation you're partaking in, 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.
Here’s the DIRT on “mud season”…
Alpine vegetation is beginning to take seed as the snow melts away. New growth is extremely sensitive to hiking pressure.
Most trails above 2,500 feet are steep and have very fragile soils in the spring due to melting snow and consistent rain. Boot treads continuously push down on these fragile soils as they dig in to climb these steep sections of trails. This pushing causes severe trail erosion.
Small habitats are thriving under the dead leaves and new growth on the side of trails.
To protect trails and ecosystem health during mud season,
- stick to low elevation hiking trails
- avoid hiking during or right after significant rainfall
- stay on the trail, even if it’s muddy or there’s puddles! Going around the trail can widen the trail and damage the trailside vegetation. Your boots will survive some mud, but those tiny trailside habitats may not survive your boots!
Follow the Seven Principles of Leave No TraceTM to maintain minimal impact on the environment and the natural resources of the Adirondacks.
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