This bulletin provides only the most recent notices. Check the Adirondack Backcountry webpages for more detailed information on access, outdoor recreation infrastructure, and conditions. Whenever you are planning your next outdoor adventure, plan on arriving at your destination early and have several back-up plans in place in case parking at your desired location is full.
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, specific trail conditions, and other pertinent information.
NEW THIS WEEK
If you notice any damage or hazardous areas not listed below, please report to info.r5@dec.ny.gov.
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Weekly Snow Report: As of Tuesday, 1/20, snow depths were recorded to be 39” (99 cm) at the stake at the Lake Colden Interior Cabin (~2,750 feet elevation).
Eastern
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Lake George Wild Forest: Dacy Clearing Road is closed for the season.
Southern
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Wilcox Lake Wild Forest: The Pine Orchard Trail from Dorr Road to Route 8 is currently closed to snowmobiles due to the bridges being out over the outlet of Taylor Vly and Jimmy Creek.
LAST WEEK
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Weekly Snow Report: As of Wednesday, 1/14, snow depths were recorded to be 34” (86 cm) at the stake at the Lake Colden Interior Cabin (~2,750 feet elevation).
West Central
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Blue Mountain Wild Forest: Township 20 Conservation Easement - Minerva Club Road is closed for the winter season. Pickwickett Pond Road (access to Fishing Brook) is closed to the public for the season. Ice fishing is permitted on County Line Flow.
Fire Danger: Check the fire rating map for daily updates.
Drought Warnings: Check the drought conditions map to stay updated on which counties are currently under a drought watch or warning.
Avalanche Risk: Investigate carefully before venturing into avalanche terrain, and ensure you have proper avalanche rescue equipment. You should always have an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe. You should practice frequently to be proficient in using your beacon. However, you should not take extra risk just because you have rescue equipment. Always carry a day pack with enough equipment to spend the night. For more information on avalanche safety, visit the Avalanche Safety webpage.
Sunrise/Sunset: Sunrise = 7:20 a.m.; Sunset = 4:54 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 about average for this time of year throughout the Adirondack region. Expect water levels to rise with 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 (Fahrenheit) for base elevations throughout the region.
Weekend temperatures in the region at BASE elevations are expected to produce lows in the negative-teens and highs in the mid-teens, but that’s NOT including windchill! It is going to be dangerously cold out with wind chills of 30 to 40 below zero (°F) possible in the Adirondacks.
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:
- It will be dangerously cold out this weekend, with an Extreme Cold Watch pertaining to lots of the region from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, with base level elevation wind chills of 20 to 40 below zero (°F) possible, causing frostbite in as little as 10 minutes!
- Consider postponing hiking or outdoor plans this weekend. If you do go out, opt for low-elevation, short endeavors. The mountains will always be there.
- Layer properly with the three types of layers to prevent frostbite and hypothermia: moisture-wicking inner layers (avoid cotton!), insulating mid-layers of wool or fleece, and wind/waterproof shell layers. Bring dry layers to replace wet ones immediately.
- No matter where you’re hiking, bringing traction is a must. Be prepared to switch from spikes/crampons to snowshoes as conditions dictate. (Snowshoes or skis are required in the High Peaks Wilderness when snowpack exceeds 8 inches.)
- Note: The Avalanche Pass trail is still closed due to the July 2025 slide.
- For weekly updates on specific trail conditions or closures, visit Backcountry Information For The Adirondack Park.
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.
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 more information, 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.
Lake Colby: Lake Colby recreators, please be advised that public use of the Camp Colby grounds is prohibited. Follow all posted “do not enter” and “restricted area” signs along the property border. Due to frequent public use of the restricted area, DEC will provide increased ECO presence throughout the weekends.
It will be DANGEROUSLY cold out this weekend, with an Extreme Cold Watch pertaining to lots of the region from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, with BASE LEVEL wind chills of 20 to 40 below zero possible, causing frostbite in as little as 10 minutes! Again, this is just at base elevations; anticipate losing 5 degrees Fahrenheit for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
With that being said, consider postponing hiking plans. The mountains will always be there. These temperatures can put you and Forest Rangers’ safety at risk. If you must go out, opt for low-elevation, short hikes, like the one photographed here (Henry’s Woods, Lake Placid); even if you’re not climbing a mountain, you can get stunning summit-like views.
Most importantly, if you decide to venture outside, make sure you are familiarized with what frostbite it, how to prevent it, how to recognize it, and how to respond to it.
What is frostbite:
- Frostbite is the freezing of living tissues that causes a breakdown of their cell structure. It can lead to permanent tissue damage (necrosis), which can lead to loss of function in the affected area, and may necessitate amputation of affected limbs or digits.
- Stay inside and at low-elevations when it’s dangerously cold out.
- If you are outdoors, layer properly with:
- non-cotton base layers;
- insulating mid-layers; and
- weather-resistant shell layers.
- Bring extra layers to replace wet ones.
- Think about food and gear that is easy to manage with your gloves on.
- Reduce exposed skin as much as possible; frostbite often affects fingers, toes, nose, and ears.
- Check the weather and make a plan to get back inside before dark when temperatures drop further.
- Bring food (that won’t freeze) and a warm drink in an insulated bottle to keep you fueled and warm.
- Symptoms:
- numbness and tingling sensations;
- color changes in the skin;
- hard/waxy-looking skin;
- clumsiness; and
- pain.
- Get out of the cold immediately, and replace any wet clothing.
- Think WARM, not hot; like immersing the area in warm water to gradually thaw frozen tissues. While you’re thawing, try to keep the area still and avoid walking on frostbitten toes or feet.
- Don’t rub frostbitten areas because rubbing skin that’s hard or numb can cause tissue damage.
 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.
We often think about how severe cold can directly cause discomfort or injury, like frostbite, on a hike, but before that ever happens, it can have lots of other indirect consequences by limiting what we’re able to do.
The #1 Principle of Leave No Trace is to Plan Ahead and Prepare. Bringing the right gear is the first step but preparing for what will limit your ability to use it (like cold hands) is the next, because preparation doesn’t apply just to ideal, standard conditions; preparation is about worst-case scenario. Ask yourself, if my hands get cold and stiff, what becomes harder to do?
It can be simple tasks like adjusting snowshoe bindings, zipping your jacket or backpack. Cold hands lose strength and dexterity, making it difficult to bend fingers, grip trekking poles, manage buckles, and more. It impacts everything and can make a usually quick task painstakingly long or difficult.
Preventing the cold by bringing insulated, weather-resistant gloves with an extra dry pair to go is a great start but the next step is to think about how to keep those gloves on. Certain behaviors, like having to remove gloves to open a snack wrapper, can quickly zap your hand warmth and lead to this. So bring snacks that are easy to eat with your gloves on. The same goes for having to remove your gloves to use your phone to check a map, emphasizing the importance of bringing a physical map.
The effects of something that seems small, like cold hands, or bringing food or gear that can be managed without glove removal, can go a long way in the backcountry!
As always: 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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