Trail Conditions

From the NY State Department of Environmental Conservation "Northway Bulletin" of Feb 4th, 2010

Weather: Forecasts provided by the National Weather Service (NWS) are based on conditions at low elevations. Hikers and campers entering the High Peaks Region should expect, and be prepared for, conditions that will likely be more severe than those expressed in a general NWS forecast. Hikers and campers should check up-to-date forecasts before entering the back country, as weather forecasts can change.

DEC Information for Our Canadian Friends

Interior Conditions

Wilderness conditions can change suddenly. While believed accurate, weather conditions may change at any time. All users should plan accordingly, including bringing flashlight, first aid equipment, extra food, plenty of water and clothing. Weather conditions may alter your plans; you should be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods before entering the back country.

Snow Over Hard-packed & Icy Trails: Varying amounts of snow may be found covering hard packed and icy trails. Be cautious, carry and use crampons as warranted.

Ice on Waters: Due to recent rain and warm temperatures ice surfaces on waters bodies has thinned near shorelines, inlets, and outlets. Stream crossings are weak or completely open.

Blowdown: Winds from a recent storm has resulted in significant blowdown. Expect to find downed limbs and branches on many trails, particularly lesser used side trails.

Snowshoes, Skis and Crampons: Snowshoes or skis must be used in the High Peaks Wilderness when snow depths are 8 inches or more and most areas of the High Peaks have snow depths more than 8 inches. Snowshoes or skis are recommended to be used throughout the Adirondacks. The use of snowshoes or skis prevents “postholing”, eases travel through the snow and reduces injuries. Carry and use crampons on summits and other icy areas.

Winter conditions: Winter conditions exist throughout the area. Expect to encounter snow and ice, prepare accordingly, pack snowshoes or skis and crampons and use when conditions warrant. The use of snowshoes or skis is encouraged to prevent "post-holing", avoid injuries, and ease travel on snow.

Fire Danger: VERY LOW

King Phillips Spring: The spring, located near Exit 30 of the Northway, has been closed by DEC due to public health risk. The spring’s waters have consistently exceeded drinking water standards for total coliform for the past 6 months. DEC not ensure the safety of the spring’s water for drinking. Therefore to protect the safety of the public the pipe has been removed and the spring has been closed.

Please be aware that accessing the Forest Preserve through the rest areas is prohibited. In accordance with New York State Regulation §156.3(d), vehicles may not be left unattended in the rest area, unless the operator or passenger is within the rest area. Also parking of vehicles for longer than three hours during the hours of darkness is not permitted in accordance with §156.3(c).

Be Prepared Before Entering the Back Country:

Check current weather conditions and short-term forecast immediately before entering the backcountry.
Dress properly with:

Appropriate outer wear and foot wear (prepare for wet and cold)
Hat and gloves or mittens
Layers of non-cotton clothes
Pack extra clothes and socks

Carry plenty of water and food
Carry and use snowshoes, skis, crampons and/or stablicers when conditions warrant.
Pack an ensolite pad to rest on and insulate your body from cold surfaces.
Pack a bivy sack or space blankets for extra warmth.
Always carry a flashlight and extra batteries.

NOTICES

Elk Lake Conservation Easement Lands - The Elk Lake trails are closed to public use until the end of the big game hunting season. The trails will reopen to the public on December 7, however, the Clear Pond gate will remained closed until the next spring.

VanHoevenberg Trail to Mt. Marcy: The High Water bridge on the VanHoevenberg Trail, 0.3 miles southeast of Marcy Dam, which allows dry crossing over Phelps Brook during periods of high water, broke and has been removed. This means a rock hop or wading in high water, until this bridge can be replaced. The schedule for replacement of the bridge has not been determined at this time.

Northville-Placid Trail: The Northville Placid Trail is once again passable and the bridge over the Cold River is open.

Caulkins Brook Truck Trail/Horse Trail: A "tunnel" has been cut out through the blowdown on the Caulkins Brook Truck Trail/Horse Trail between the Calkins Brook leantos and Shattuck Clearing. The trail is open for hikers but remains impassable to horses and wagons. DEC crews continue to work to open the trail.

Elk Lake: The gate on the Elk Lake Road is open.

Corey’s Road: The Corey’s Road is open.

East River Trail: The Opalescent River Bridge on the East River Trail is out. Wading at this time of year should not be attempted due to cold swift moving water. This is a remote location that could have life threatening conditions if you get wet.

Roaring Brook Bridge: The bridge over Roaring Brook at the intersection of the Northville-Placid trail and Preston Ponds trail, 1/2 mile north of Duck Hole, has been rebuilt and is open for foot traffic. Hand rail has not yet been reinstalled, so use appropriate caution when crossing.

Big Slide Ladder: The ladder up the final pitch of Big Slide has been removed.

Calamity Lean-to: Calamity Lean-to #1, the lean-to closest to the old Calamity Dam in the Flowed Lands, has been dismantled and removed.

Opalescent Cable Bridge: The cable bridge over the Opalescent River on the Hanging Spear Falls trail has been washed out. The crossing will be impassable during high water periods.

Mt. Adams Fire Tower: The cab of the Mt. Adams Fire Tower was heavily damaged by windstorms. The fire tower is closed to public access until DEC can make repairs to the structure.

Trail between Upper Works and Duck Hole: Two foot bridges on the trail between Upper Works and Preston Pond were washed out by an ice jam. One bridge was located 1/3 mile northwest of the new lean-to on Henderson Lake. The second bridge was located several tenths of a mile further northwest. The streams can be crossed by rock hopping. Crossings may be difficult during periods of high water.

Northville Placid Trail: Beaver activity has blocked a section between Plumley Point and Shattuck Clearing. Hikers can use a well used, but unmarked, 1/4 mile reroute around the flooded portion of the trail.

Duck Hole: The bridge over the dam has been removed due to its deteriorating condition. A low water crossing (ford) has been marked below the dam near the lean-to site. This crossing will not be possible during periods of high water.

For further up to date trail information, please call ADK's High Peaks Information Center 518-523-3441 or the Weather Line: 518-523-3518

Click here for directions to Heart Lake and the Garden Parking Lot for JBL