Backcountry Information for the Western Adirondacks
DEC ENCOURAGES RESPONSIBLE RECREATION DURING COVID-19 PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS
#RecreateLocal - Discover Outdoor Spaces Close to Home
Follow Common Sense Guidelines and Safe Recreation Practices to Help Stop the Spread
Keep it Simple to Reduce the Burden on DEC Forest Rangers and Other First Responders
During the current COVID-19 public health crisis, getting outdoors and connecting with nature is a way to help maintain our mental and physical health. Scientific studies show that time outside in nature, especially among trees, significantly reduces stress and anxiety, lowers blood pressure, improves mood, energy, and sleep, and boosts the immune system.
DEC encourages New Yorkers to recreate locally and follow common sense guidelines to prevent the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19 and reduce the burden on DEC Forest Rangers and other first responders.
Choose trails close to home, visit in small groups limited to immediate household members, and keep visits short; avoid potentially busy trailheads; keep at least six (6) feet of distance between you and others in parking lots, at trailheads, on the trail, and at scenic overlooks; avoid direct contact with other people; and stay home if you are showing or feeling any sign of symptoms.
Seek out less-used trails and waters and avoid busy trailheads. If you arrive and find a trailhead is crowded, seek another place to recreate.
General Information
HIKE SMART NY by always being prepared for your trip, variable trail conditions, and unexpected weather when you go out on the trail.
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics has recommendations for responsible outdoor recreation during the COVID-19 public health crisis. (leaves DEC website)
All DEC-controlled fire towers are closed to the public to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 during the current public health crisis. Trails and the summits to the towers remain open.
DEC campgrounds scheduled to open in April will remain closed until May at this time.
Ice is thinning. No ice should be considered safe at this time.
Trails are a mix of mud, ice and snow. Mud and ice are present at low to moderate elevations and there is still deep snow in the highest elevations. Trail crampons and snowshoes are still recommended for all hikes.
Seasonal access roads are closed for the spring mud season. The roads will reopen to public motor vehicle use once they have thawed, dried, and hardened and all necessary repairs and maintenance are complete.
All snowmobile trail systems are closed for the season.
