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Trail Information for the Eastern Adirondacks

Updated November 12, 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

Snow and Ice: Snow and ice may be found above 3000 feet. Hikers are advised to carry instep crampons or stabilicers and use them as appropriate.

Colder Weather: Colder temperatures have arrived in the mountains. Night-time and morning temperatures in the 20s or colder may be experienced, especially in higher elevations. Be prepared before entering the woods. Pack extra non-cotton clothes, including a hat, in addition to your usual equipment. Take off and put on layers of clothing to regulate body heat. Remember the sun sets earlier this time of year. So plan trips accordingly and carry a flashlight with fresh batteries.

Hunting Season: Autumn hunting seasons for small game, waterfowl and big game have begun or will begin shortly. Hikers should be aware that they may meet hunters bearing firearms or archery equipment while hiking on trails. Please recognize that these are fellow outdoor recreationists with the legal right to participate in these activities on the Forest Preserve. Hunting accidents involving non-hunters are extremely rare. Hikers may want to wear bright colors as an extra precaution.

Be Prepared Before Going Out: Before your trip contact the local Forest Ranger for trail conditions 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.

Specific Notices

Hammond Pond Wild Forest

  • The Lindsey Brook Trail is closed due to flooding by beaver activity.

Hoffman Notch Wilderness

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

Hudson Gorge Primitive Area

  • Blowdown may be found on trails.

Lake George Wild Forest (Western)

  • The Gay Pond Road is open but sections of it are in rough condition, recommend that visitors only use vehicles with high clearance and four wheel drive on the road.
  • The River Road is open to motor vehicle traffic, however, due to rough sections, it is recommend that visitors without vehicles with high clearance and four wheel drive park at the Town Line Parking Area.
  • The Bear Slides Access Road is open to CP-3 permit holders, contact DEC Warrensburg at (518) 623-1265 for the combination to the lock.
  • The roads to Pikes Beach and Schofield Flats are open. The gate to Jabe Pond is now open and the road is open to motor vehicle traffic.
  • There are several large trees down on the Tongue Mountain Trail as a result of the March ice storm. However, it is passable by foot.
  • The foot bridge at Clay Meadows has been repaired.
  • The Deer Leap trail is washed out and heavily cobbled with boulders from the trail head to the spur to Deer Leap, but is passable on foot.

Pharaoh Lake Wilderness

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

Santanoni Historic Preserve

  • Repairs on the Camp Santanoni bridge are complete, horses and horse drawn wagons can once again travel to camp.

Siamese Ponds Wilderness

  • DEC is investigating the presence of white-nose syndrome in bats in Eagle Cave near Chimney Rock. Until further notice Eagle Cave is closed to all public access.
  • A new connector trail on the west side of Thirteenth Lake has been constructed that connects the Peaked Mountain Trail and the Hour Pond Trail. It connects to the Peaked Mountain Trail near the Peaked Mountain Brook and to the Hour Pond Trail approximately .8 miles east of Hour Pond.
  • A new lean-to has been constructed near Hour Pond.
  • The Puffer Pond Kings Flow Trail (Upper Trail) to Puffer Pond is blocked by beaver ponds. Take the King Flows East Trail to the Puffer Pond Brook (Outlet) Trail to reach Puffer Pond.
  • The gate on the Old Farm Road Ski Trail is open.
  • Blowdown may be found on trails, particularly side trails and lesser used portions of main trails.
  • There is a new bridge over Buck Meadow Creek on the Puffer Pond Trail on the Thirteenth Lake end.
  • There are two (2) new bridges on the Halfway Brook Trail by The Vly. The new bridges will improve skiing in this area.
  • The foot bridge over Cisco Creek has been repaired.
  • There are four newly created accessible campsites and accessible outhouses on the north end of Thirteenth Lake.
  • The boat launch area on the north end of Thirteenth Lake has been moved to the sandy beach area by the outlet of the lake.
  • The northern Puffer Pond lean-to and privy have been replaced.
  • There is a new trail register kiosk .1 miles in from the Old Farm Road Trailhead for skiers and hikers to use upon entering this portion of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness.
  • The Halfway Brook Trail is now marked with blue markers for 4.1 miles, from the new kiosk to the Barton Mines Road.

Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest

  • The Vanderwhacker Mountain Road is passable for four wheel drive and high clearance two wheel drive vehicles.
  • The Schaefer Trail on Gore Mountain, which starts at the North Creek Ski Bowl and goes to the top of the mountain, will be closed until the spring of 2010. The closure is to avoid ski center construction and to relocate it away from the new expansion on Burnt Ridge and Little Gore. When completed the new route will start by the tubing hill at the Ski Bowl, precede on the north side of Roaring Brook to a location above the Reservoir, and then follow the old narrow ski trails on the North Face up to the summit.
  • The Boreas River crossing on the Cheney Pond - Irishtown trail is not bridged. During low water conditions, crossing by rock hopping may be possible.

Wilcox Lake Wild Forest

  • Blowdown may be found on trails.
  • The Dayton Creek bridge is out on the trail from Brownell Camp (at the end of Hope Falls Road) to Wilcox Lake. During low water conditions crossing can be made by rock hopping.
  • The bridge over the Georgia Creek on the Pine Orchard Trail is under water due to beaver activity.
  • Also the Pine Orchard Trail is flooded due to beaver activity .5 mile south of Pine Orchard.
  • The Murphy Lake Trail is brushy and difficult to follow along the east shore of the lake from the lean-to to the outlet.
  • Also the Murphy Lake Trail is flooded at the north end of Murphy Lake.