Trail Information for the Northern Adirondacks

Updated May 8, 2008

General Notices

WARNING: Wilderness conditions can change suddenly. All users should plan accordingly, including bringing flashlight, first aid equipment, extra food and clothing. Weather conditions may alter your plans; you should always be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods before entering the back country. Back country hiking trails can be rugged and rough - they are not maintained as park walkways - wear proper footwear!

Report back country emergencies, such as lost or injured hikers, and wildland fires to the DEC Forest Rangers at 518-891-0235.

Trails Supporter Patch: The new Trails Supporter Patch is now available for $5 at all outlets where sporting licenses are sold, on-line and via telephone at 1-866-933-2257. Patch proceeds will help maintain and enhance non-motorized trails throughout New York State. Use the link in the right column for more information.

North Country National Scenic Trail - Draft Adirondack Park Trail Plan/Draft GEIS: DEC has released a draft plan for the Adirondack Park portion of North Country National Scenic Trail (NCNST). The draft plan proposes a 140 mile route through the central Adirondacks from Crown Point, Essex County in the east to a point near Forestport, Herkimer County in the west. Stretching across the northern tier of the United States, the North Country National Scenic Trail is projected to be approximately 4,600 miles in length. Use the link in the right column to obtain more information on the draft plan.

Seasonal Notices

Fire Danger Level: MODERATE

Spring Conditions: Trails have wet or muddy area, though elevations above 2800 feet still have snow and ice. Wear waterproof footwear and gaiters and remember to walk through - not around - mud and water on trails. Carry crampons and use when warranted.

Effects of Ice Storm: A late winter ice storm left some trails with down trees and limbs and low hanging branches. These may still be present on many trails especially lesser used side trails.

Water Levels: Spring melt has raised water levels in streams and rivers. Be aware that water crossings may be unpassable and trails along waters may be flooded.

Ice on Water: Any ice that is still present is unsafe - stay off ice!

Bear-Resistant Canisters: The use of bear-resistant canisters is required for overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness between April 1 and November 30. All food, toiletries and garbage must be stored in bear resistant canisters. (6 NYCRR Section 190.13) DEC encourages the use of bear-resistant canisters throughout the Adirondacks.

Summit Conditions: Weather conditions on the higher summit can be more extreme than in lower elevations. Use the link in the right column for the National Weather Service higher summit weather forecast.

Be Prepared Before Going Out:

Check current weather conditions and short-term forecast immediately before entering the backcountry.
Dress properly with:
- Appropriate outer wear and foot wear - include rain gear, gaiters and water proof footwear
- Layers of non-cotton clothes
- Pack extra clothes and socks
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.

Specific Notices

Adirondack Canoe Route (Northern Portion)

Water is cold and levels are high throughout the route.

Santa Clara Tract Easement Lands (former Champion Lands)

The Santa Clara Tract Conservation Easement Lands are open for all public recreation.
All gates on roads designated for public motor vehicle use are open, including the:
- Madawaska Road Gate,
- Pinnacle Gate (the road is passable to the trailhead), and
- Vanderwalker Road Gate, which provides access to East Branch St. Regis River canoe carry and parking.

DeBar Mountain Wild Forest

The Hatch Brook Gate at Franklin County Route 27 (Old Route 99) is currently closed. Access to the former DeBar Game Refuge and Skiff Pond is currently by foot only. The gate will be opened as soon as road conditions permit vehicular traffic.
A power line is down near the snowmobile trail in the DEC Meacham Lake Campground, however, the power is off so electrocution is not a concern. DEC will work with the power company to make repairs in the spring.
The Meacham Lake and Hays/Hatch Brook drainage areas received significant ice in a recent ice storm. The ice and snow has caused blowdown and numerous small trees hanging into the trail corridors. Snowmobilers riding designated trails in that area should travel slowly and cautiously.

Deer River Primitive Area

All trails and facilities are open and in satisfactory condition.

Madawaska Flow/Quebec Brook Primitive Area

All gates on roads designated for public motor vehicle use on the Santa Clara Easement are open, including the:
- Madawaska Road Gate,
- Pinnacle Gate (the road is passable to the trailhead), and
- Vanderwalker Road Gate, which provides access to East Branch St. Regis River canoe carry and parking.

Round Lake Wilderness

Six additional campsites have been designated around Round Lake, there are now a total of eleven (11) designated campsites.
Blowdown may be found on trails.
The Round Lake Tract is now owned by New York State. It is Adirondack Forest Preserve land open to the public. The tract has been classified Wilderness, so wilderness regulations apply - motorized vehicles and boats are prohibited. Camping is allowed at designated sites or in accordance with the statewide camping regulations - 150 feet from any road, trail, stream or any body of water. State boundary lines are not yet marked, use a map and be aware of your location at all times. Special fishing regulation apply, check your fishing guide for details.

Saranac Lakes Wild Forest

The gate on the Moose Pond Road is closed, it will remain closed until May 15th or conditions improve.
The gates on the D&H railbed are closed.
The Town of Santa Clara has closed the Floodwood Road due to muddy conditions.
The road to Connery Pond is closed to motor vehicles due to washouts from a past storm. Hikers may still park at the lot along Route 86 and walk in.
2/3 of the Deer Pond trails have been cleared of blowdown. There are several bridges that are either missing or severely damaged on the eastern loop from Bull Point to Deer Pond - use caution.

St. Regis Canoe Area

A portion of the Fish Pond Truck Trail in the St. Regis Canoe area is flooded. Passage may be difficult. DEC intends to have repairs completed by Memorial Day weekend.
The Floodwood Road has been reopened.
A major ice event earlier this winter brought down or bent over limbs and trees on the summit of St. Regis Mountain. The trail to the summit is clogged starting approximately a half mile below the summit, this trail may be hard to follow. Hikers will have to bushwack to the summit, therefore be sure to have (and be able to use) a map and compass (and GPS, if you have one.) Also there are five downed trees across the trail prior to the storm damaged area.
The Fish Pond Truck Trail is blocked by a beaver dam at the Clamshell Pond Outlet crossing. The channel downstream of the dam is unlikely to freeze over due to the flow of water. Skiers and snowshoers may be able to cross the beaver pond once it freezes over and the ice thickens. Check ice depth before going on ice. Ice that holds snow may not hold the weight of a person.
The canoe carry between Turtle and Clamshell Ponds is closed due to beaver activity which has made the trail unsafe. Use of the trail may result in damage to natural resources as well. Clamshell Pond can be accessed using the carry from Fish Pond.
The carry between Long Pond and Nellie Pond has a lot of blowdown. Also beavers have flooded a section of trail about half way between the ponds. A significant amount of bushwhacking will be needed to get through the carry, so be prepared for a real wilderness experience.

William C. Whitney Wilderness/Lake Lila

The gate on the Lake Lila access road is now open, do not block the gate at the the Lake Lila parking lot.
Blowdown may be found on trails.
Beaver activity has caused a washout on the Burn Road Trail at the Otter Pond Brook crossing. It is still passable but use caution.