For Release: Friday, April 23, 2004

DEC Alerts Hikers to Muddy Trail Conditions in the High Peaks

Hikers Should Temporarily Avoid High Elevation Trails in the Adirondacks

With the start of a new season of outdoor hiking and recreation on public lands in the Adirondacks, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today urged hikers to be cautious and postpone taking any hikes on trails above 3,000 feet until early June.

DEC is asking hikers to voluntarily avoid trails above 3,000 feet, particularly high elevation trails in the Dix, Giant, and High Peaks Wilderness Areas of the northern Adirondacks, due to muddy conditions and the potential damage hiking can cause to vegetation and the soft ground.

To avoid damaging natural resources and promote safety, hikers are advised to only use trails at lower elevations during the spring mud season. Lower trails usually dry soon after snowmelt and are on less erosive soils than the higher peaks. DEC is asking hikers to avoid the following trails through June 7, 2004:

High Peaks Wilderness Area - all trails above 3,000 feet; wet muddy snow conditions still prevail, specifically: Algonquin, Colden, Feldspar, Gothics, Indian Pass, Lake Arnold Cross-Over, Marcy, Marcy Dam - Avalanche - Lake Colden which is extremely wet, Phelps Trail above John Brook Lodge, Range Trail, Skylight, Wright and all "trail-less" peaks.
Dix Mtn. Wilderness Area - all trails above Elk Lake and Round Pond
Giant Mtn. Wilderness Area - all trails above Giant's Washbowl, "the Cobbles," and Owls Head.

DEC suggests the following alternative trails for hiking, subject to weather conditions:

Debar Mt. Wild Forest: Azure Mt.
Giant Mt. Wilderness: Giant's Washbowl, Roaring Brook Falls
High Peaks Wilderness: Ampersand Mt., Cascade, Big Slide, Brothers, Porter from Cascade; avoid all other approaches
Hurricane Primitive Area: The Crows, Hurricane Mt. from Route 9N
McKenzie Mt. Wilderness: Haystack Mt., McKenzie Mt.
Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area: Pharaoh Mt.
Saranac Lakes Wild Forest: Baker Mt., Panther Mt., Scarface Mt.
Taylor Pond Wild Forest: Poke-O-Moonshine

For additional information on trail conditions, call the DEC Region 5 Lands and Forests Office in Ray Brook at (518) 897-1200.

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