ADIRONDACK BACKCOUNTRY VISITORS

Memorial Day weekend

If you are planning to recreate in the Adirondacks this Memorial Day weekend, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation asks you to please remember the following:

HIGH USAGE LEVELS: Visitors to the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness should be aware that trailhead parking lots and interior campsites will often fill to capacity on Memorial Day weekend. Please plan accordingly and seek backcountry recreation opportunities in other areas of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

BEAR RESISTANT CANISTERS: Regulation requires the use of bear-resistant canisters by overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness between April 1 and November 30. NYSDEC encourages the use of bear resistant canisters throughout the Adirondacks.

OTHER BEAR AVOIDANCE TIPS

• Store all food, toiletries and garbage in bear-resistant canisters.
• If you are outside the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness you can use a food hang. Store all food, toiletries and garbage in the bag. Use a dark colored cord that is 25 meters long. Hang the bag 5 meters above the ground and at least 3 meters away from trees.
• Keep food in bear-resistant canister or food hangs at all times – take down only what is needed for cooking and eating.
• Never leave food unattended unless it is in a bear-resistant canister or in a food hang.
• Cook early, no later than 5 p.m., and never cook or eat in your sleeping area.

BITING INSECTS: “Bug Season” has begun in the Adirondacks. Now until the end of summer Black Flies, Mosquitoes, 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.

ROCK CLIMBING ROUTE CLOSURES: Due to nesting Peregrine Falcons the following climbing cliffs and routes are closed:

• Chapel Pond – All climbing routes on Lower Washbowl Cliff, Upper Washbowl is open.
• Wilmington Notch – All routes on Moss Cliff.
• Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain – All routes on the Main Face between and including Bathtub Virgin (route # 25 in Adirondack Rock) and Positive Thinking (Route #84 in Adirondack Rock) – all other routes are open.

Visit the Adirondack Trail Information web page for current weather forecasts, regulations, safety tips, trail conditions, and more.

Enjoy your visit to the Adirondacks!

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation