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Trail Information for the High Peaks

Updated July 2, 2009

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.

Road & Traffic Information: Use the link in the right column to visit NYS Department of Transportation 511 New York for information on transportation services, traffic, and road conditions throughout New York State.

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.

Seasonal Notices

Fire Danger: LOW

Blowdown: Trails, particularly lesser used side trails, may contain significant amounts of blowdown from recent severe storms.

Rainy Weather: Recent and continuing rains have brought about muddy conditions on trails. Hikers should be prepared for these conditions by wearing waterproof footwear and gaiters, and remember to walk through - not around - mud and water on trails.

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 can 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.

Be Prepared Before Going Out: Before your trip contact the local Forest Ranger for snow cover and other important information. (Use the link in the right column or call 518-897-1300)

  • Check current weather conditions and short-term forecast immediately before entering the backcountry.
  • Dress properly with:
    • Appropriate outer wear and foot wear
    • 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.

Biting Insects: "Bug Season" has begun in the Adirondacks. Now until the end of summer Black Flies, Mosquitos, Deer Flies and/or Midges (No-see-ums) will be present. Follow these steps to minimize the nuisance of biting insects:

  • Wear light colored clothing.
  • Wear long sleeve shirts and long pants.
  • Tuck shirts into pants.
  • Button or rubber band sleeves at the wrist.
  • Tuck the bottom of pant legs into your socks.
  • Pack a headnet to wear when insects are thick.
  • Use an insect repellant with DEET, follow label directions.

Specific Notices

High Peaks Wilderness

High Use Periods: Visitors to the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness should be aware that trailhead parking lots and interior campsites reach capacity on many weekends throughout the hiking season. Visitors should plan accordingly and are advised to seek backcountry recreation opportunities in other areas of the Adirondack Forest Preserve during these high use weekends. Day hikers should use the link in the right column for a list of suggested hikes Away From the High Peaks. While visitors can certainly expect capacity conditions to exist on holiday weekends, and most good weather weekends in July or August, they should check with DEC Forest Rangers (518/897-1300) prior to any weekend trip to the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness. The holiday weekends this year are:

  • 4th of July/Canada Day Weekend: July 1-5
  • Labor Day Weekend: September 4-7
  • Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend: October 9-12

  • The High Water Bridge on the VanHoevenberg Trail to Mt. Marcy, 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.
  • Trails, particularly lesser used side trails, may contain significant amounts of blowdown from recent severe storms.
  • DEC crews have opened the Northville Placid Trail in the section around the Cold River including the bridge over the Cold River.
  • 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.
  • Trails, particularly lesser used side trails, may contain significant amounts of blowdown from severe thunderstorms that passed through the region during early May.
  • The gate on the Elk Lake Road is open.
  • At the western entrance to the High Peaks, the Corey's Road is now open.
  • The bridge over the Opalescent River 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.
  • The footbridge over Roaring Brook on the Preston Pond Trail (.5 mile north of Duck Hole at the intersection with the Northville-Placid Trail) has been rebuilt and is open to foot traffic.
  • Reconstruction of the lower Indian Pass Brook foot bridge, just upstream of the Henderson Lake inlet, has been completed. Both of the Indian Pass Brook bridges are now open to foot traffic.
  • The ladder up the final pitch of Big Slide has been removed.
  • Calamity #1 lean-to, the lean-to closest to the old Calamity Dam in the Flowed Lands, has been dismantled and removed.
  • The replacement cable deck bridge crossing Johns Brook near the Interior Outpost is complete and open for pedestrian traffic.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Two foot bridges on the trail between Upper Works and Preston Pond were washed out by an ice jam last spring. 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.
  • A section of the Lake Arnold Trail, just north of the Feldspar Lean-to is flooded by beaver activity. It is impassable due to the depth of the water and the condition of the dry tread. Hikers should seek an alternate route.
  • Beaver activity has blocked a section of Northville-Placid Trail between Plumley Point and Shattuck Clearing. Hikers may take a well used, but unmarked, 1/4 mile reroute around the flooded portion of the trail.
  • Please note that the Arbutus (Wolf Lake) Road is NOT a public road, nor does it connect with the Coreys Road as portrayed on some maps.
  • The bridge over the Duck Hole 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.

Dix Mountain Wilderness

  • The gate on the Elk Lake Road is open.

Giant Mountain Wilderness

  • All trails and facilities are open and in satisfactory condition.

Hurricane Mountain Primitive Area

  • All trails and facilities are open and in satisfactory condition.

McKenzie Mountain Wilderness

  • 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.

Sentinel Range Wilderness

  • All trails and facilities are open and in satisfactory condition.

Wilmington Wild Forest

  • The outlet of Cooper Kill Pond is flooded by beaver activity.