Backcountry Information for the Eastern Adirondacks
Updated: June 14, 2018
General Notices
WARNING: Backcountry 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!
Practice Leave No Trace: Please abide by the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace (leaves DEC's website) when recreating in the Adirondacks.
Weather forecasts and conditions can and do change quickly.
- Check the current National Weather Service Forecast (leaves DEC website) and be prepared for the forecasted conditions or to change your plans.
- NY Mesonow (leaves DEC website) has two dozen stations in and just outside of Adirondacks that provide real time weather data and forecasts.
Adirondack Backcountry Information: Be sure to check Adirondack Backcountry Information main web page for important general notices and information which applies across the Adirondacks.
Report back country emergencies, such as lost or injured hikers, and wildland fires to the DEC Ray Brook Dispatch at 518-891-0235.
Specific Notices
Hammond Pond Wild Forest
- The Hammond Pond Wild Forest web page provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities.
- DEC and the town of Horicon have completed paving the Brant Lake Boat Launch. (2017)
Lake George Wild Forest
- Two rock climbing routes on Potash Cliff on Potash Mountain are now closed to allow peregrine falcons to nest and raise their young.
- Routes 18 (Haley's Nose) and 19 (Goes Both Ways) as described on page 86 of Adirondack Rock Volume 2, A Rock Climbers Guide, Second Edition, are closed.
- In addition, the 4th class scramble to access the Pitch 1 ledge of most routes, is closed.
- All open routes must be led ground-up.
- Travel along the base of the cliff between the Main Wall and the Carhartt Wall on Shelving Rock Mountain is prohibited to allow peregrine falcons to nest and raise their young. Please use the lower Main Path and Carhartt Path to travel between the two walls. All climbing routes on the Main Wall and the Carhartt Wall are now open. (5/10)
- All climbing routes on Sleeping Beauty Mountain remain closed to allow peregrine falcons to nest and raise their young.
- DEC crews have dismantled and removed the Thomas Mountain Cabin. Crews will return in the spring to rake and complete clean up of the site. The cabin was removed because it did not comply with the Adirondack Park State Land Master Plan and was not compatible with the Forest Preserve. Additionally, vandals had started misusing the cabin, such that it had become an attractive nuisance. (2018)
- Trails on Cat & Thomas Mountains are marked with Lake George Land Conservancy markers. Obtain a map from Conservancy before hiking this trail system. (2016)
- Heavy blowdown is present above 1,200 feet on Erebus Mountain Trail, Fishbrook Pond to Lake George Trail and other lesser used trails in the area. (2015)
- Deer Leap Trail on Tongue Mountain is washed out and heavily cobbled with boulders from the trail head to the spur to Deer Leap, but is passable on foot. (2014)
- Equestrians should be aware that there is significant blowdown on horse trails. While hikers may be able to get through the trails, it may be impossible or at least much harder for horses to get through. (2010)
- The Hudson River Special Management Area contains campsites, trails and day use areas., including ADA accessible facilities.
- The Shelving Rock Area contains campsites, trails, and day use areas.
Pharaoh Lake Wilderness
- The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness web page provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities.
- DEC staff have completed construction of a 15-vehicle parking area near along Pharaoh Lake Road near the intersection with Beaver Pond Road. (2017)
- A new bridge over the Pharaoh Lake Outlet (and dam) was installed by Student Conservation Association Adirondack Program crews. (2017)
Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest
- The Split Rock Mountain Wild Forest web page provides information about the unit and its recreational opportunities.
- Nothing to report.
More about Backcountry Information for the Eastern Adirondacks:
- Shelving Rock Area of the Lake George Wild Forest - New camping sites, parking lots and management actions in the Shelving Rock Area of the Lake George Wild Forest
