Hikers Alerted to Muddy Trails

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) urges hikers of the Adirondack High Peaks to be cautious during trips into the area and to postpone hiking on trails above 3,000 feet until otherwise advised. 

During warm and wet spring weather, many trails in higher and steeper portions of the Adirondacks can be become hazardous to hikers. In the current muddy conditions, trails and the plants that surround them are also particularly sensitive to human disturbance. Anyone setting out to enjoy the trails of the Adirondacks this spring should use extra caution to protect themselves, the trails and our natural resources. This will help to avoid injury and eliminate the need to perform costly repairs to the trails this summer. 

Trails to Avoid
To avoid damaging natural resources and promote safety, hikers are advised to use trails only at lower elevations during the spring mud season. Lower trails usually are dry soon after snowmelt and are on less erosive soils than the higher peaks. DEC is asking hikers to avoid the following trails until muddy conditions have subsided: 

High Peaks Wilderness Area — all trails above 3,000 feet—wet, muddy snow conditions prevail, specifically at: Algonquin; Colden; Feldspar; Gothics; Indian Pass; Lake Arnold Cross-Over; Marcy; Marcy Dam; Lake Colden; Phelps Trail above John Brook Lodge; Range Trail; Skylight; Wright, and all “trail-less” peaks 

Dix Mountain Wilderness Area — all trails above Elk Lake and Round Pond 

Giant Mountain Wilderness Area — all trails above Giant’s Washbowl,”the Cobbles,” and Owls Head 

Trails to Try 
DEC suggests the following alternative trails for hiking, weather permitting: 

Debar Mountain Wild Forest — Azure Mountain 

Giant Mountain Wilderness — Giant’s Washbowl and Roaring Brook Falls 

High Peaks Wilderness — Ampersand Mountain; Cascade; Big Slide; Brothers, and Porter from Cascade; avoid all other approaches 

Hurricane Primitive Area — The Crows and Hurricane Mountain from Route 9N 

McKenzie Mt. Wilderness — Haystack Mountain and McKenzie Mountain 

Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area — Pharaoh Mountain 

Saranac Lake Wild Forest — Baker Mountain, Panther Mountain and Scarface Mountain 

Why not start the Fire Tower Challenge sponsored by your Glens Falls-Saratoga Chapter? This is a perfect time to hike some new trails and get a great view from on high! Visit www.adk-gfs.org for more information on the Fire Tower Challenge.