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Trail Information for the Central and Southern Adirondacks

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

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.

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.

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

Adirondack Canoe Route (central portion)

  • Water levels are high for this time of year due to rains.

Blue Mountain Wild Forest

  • The Blue Mountain Fire Tower is open the public including the cab. The fire tower, which was restored a few years ago, will have an intern present during August to greet the public and educate them about fire towers and the forest preserve. The observer cabin may get some work this year with the help of a new friends group that has recently formed.
  • Blowdown may be found on trails, particularly infrequently used side trails. Blowdown may be heavy enough in some places to impede travel.
  • The O'Neil Flow lean-to on Tirrell Pond has been removed and new lean-to has been constructed nearby. The site of the old lean-to is closed to camping.

Blue Ridge Wilderness

  • The Wakely Mountain Fire Tower trail contains blowdown.
  • The Wakely Mountain Fire Tower is open to the public, but has not been restored at this time. DEC plans to restore the fire tower and the observer's cabin, later this summer with the help of a new friends group.
  • Blowdown may be found on other trails.
  • The Cascade Pond lean-to has been removed. A new lean-to has been constructed on the east side of the pond, a few hundred feet eastward (toward the Northville-Placid Trail) along the trail past the old lean-to site.
  • A foot bridge over a stream between Stephens Pond and the Cedar River Road (1.25 miles southeast of Stephens Pond lean-to)on the Northville-Placid Trail has been flooded by beaver activity. The trail has been temporarily rerouted to a log crossing about 1/4 mile northeast of the present crossing. The reroute has been marked with red flagging.
  • The former McCane's Resort on Cedar River Road is closed to all public use (parking, camping, picnicking, waiting, etc.), except for long-distance hikers completing the Northville-Placid Trail. Stephens or Cascade Ponds can be accessed via the trail from Lake Durant Campground on Route 28 or the trailhead off Durant Road in the hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake. Once the DEC relocates the Northville-Placid trail, all public use of this area will be prohibited. For more information contact DEC Supervising Forester Richard Fenton, P.O. Box 1316, Northville, NY 12134, phone: 518/863-4545, e-mail: rtfenton@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Ferris Lake Wild Forest

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

Jessup River Wild Forest

  • The Old Military Road and Jessup River Road will be closed periodically between June 29 and July 10 while bridges over the Miami and Jessup Rivers are replaced. Access to the Pillsbury Mountain and Spruce Lake trailheads will be unavailable during the bridge closures. Signs will be posted on the roads to alert people to the upcoming closures and then again to announce the actual road closures.
  • 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.
  • The gates on the Perkins Clearing Road and the public roads within the conservation easement lands are open to the Spruce Lake and Pillsbury Mountain trailheads. Travel with caution - there may be soft spots and washouts.
  • The Snowy Mountain Fire Tower cab is open to the public. The fire tower was restored a few years ago, however there is no observers cabin.
  • The road to the Pillsbury Mountain/Cedar Lakes trailhead has been improved.
  • The Pillsbury Mountain Fire Tower is open to the public up to the topmost landing, but the cab is closed. DEC plans to restore the tower, including the cab, and the observer cabin, in the future with the help of a friends group. Once the work is complete the public will be able to acces the cab of the fire tower as well.
  • Blowdown may be found on trails.

Moose River Plains Wild Forest

  • All gates and roads normally open for vehicle access in the Moose River Plains Road System are open.
  • Side trails may contain blowdown.
  • The former McCane's Resort on Cedar River Road is closed to all public use (parking, camping, picnicking, waiting, etc.), except for long-distance hikers completing the Northville-Placid Trail. Stephens or Cascade Ponds can be accessed via the trail from Lake Durant Campground on Route 28 or the trailhead off Durant Road in the hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake. Once the DEC relocates the Northville-Placid trail, all public use of this area will be prohibited. For more information contact DEC Supervising Forester Richard Fenton, P.O. Box 1316, Northville, NY 12134, phone: 518/863-4545, e-mail: rtfenton@gw.dec.state.ny.us

Perkins Clearing/Speculator Tree Farm Conservation Easement

  • The Old Military Road and Jessup River Road will be closed periodically between June 29 and July 10 while bridges over the Miami and Jessup Rivers are replaced. Access to the Pillsbury Mountain and Spruce Lake trailheads will be unavailable during the bridge closures. Signs will be posted on the roads to alert people to the upcoming closures and then again to announce the actual road closures.
  • Due to washouts caused by a recent severe storm the road beyond Sled Harbor remains closed, so there is no access to the Spruce Lake trailhead.
  • Camping is limited to designated campsites, 5 campsites have been designated at this time.

Pigeon Lake Wilderness

  • A Student Conservation Association crew has constructed a new foot bridge across Beaver Brook on the trail to Shallow Lake.
  • Blowdown may be found on trails, particularly infrequently used side trails. Blowdown may be heavy enough in some places to impede travel.
  • The trail from Higby Road near Big Moose Lake to West Mountain has been brushed out and marked, and most of the blowdown has been removed. DEC plans to work on this trail over the next few years and continue to improve it's condition.

Sargent Ponds Wild Forest

  • The Owls Head Mountain Fire Tower was restored a few years ago and is open to the public. There is no observer cabin.
  • The Brown's Tract Inlet walkway has been rebuilt and is open for use.
  • An Americorps crew has installed several sections of bog bridging on the trail to Lower Sargent Pond.
  • Blowdown may be found on trails, particularly infrequently used side trail. Blowdown may be heavy enough in some places to impede travel.

Shaker Mountain Wild Forest

  • A new lean-to has been constructed near Holmes Lake.

Silver Lake Wilderness

  • The trail to Cathead Mountain has been closed by the private landowner.

West Canada Lakes Wilderness

  • The gates on the Perkins Clearing Road and the public roads within the conservation easement lands are open to the Spruce Lake and Pillsbury Mountain trailheads. Travel with caution - there may be soft spots and washouts.
  • Blowdown may be found on trails, particularly infrequently used side trails.
  • On the Northville-Placid Trail, the foot bridge over the stream between Beaver Pond and Cedar Lakes has been repaired.
  • There is considerable amounts of blowdown on the trail from the Pillsbury Mt. trailhead to Cedar Lakes (the Sucker Brook Bay Trail).
  • The former McCane's Resort on Cedar River Road is closed to all public use (parking, camping, picnicking, waiting, etc.), except for long-distance hikers completing the Northville-Placid Trail. Stephens or Cascade Ponds can be accessed via the trail from Lake Durant Campground on Route 28 or the trailhead off Durant Road in the hamlet of Blue Mountain Lake. Once the DEC relocates the Northville-Placid trail, all public use of this area will be prohibited. For more information contact DEC Supervising Forester Richard Fenton, P.O. Box 1316, Northville, NY 12134, phone: 518/863-4545, e-mail: rtfenton@gw.dec.state.ny.us