Current Interior Conditions in the Adirondack High Peaks Region

Compiled on – Thursday, July 2, 2009

Weather Forecast

The following forecast, provided by the National Weather Service (NWS), is based on conditions at low elevations. Hikers & Campers entering the High Peaks Region should expect, and be prepared for, conditions which will likely be more severe than those expressed in a general NWS forecast. Hikers & Campers should check up-to-date forecasts before entering the back country, as weather forecasts can change.

Tonight: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2am. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 57. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a high near 65. West wind between 3 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind between 5 and 7 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Independence Day: Scattered showers. Cloudy, with a high near 63. West wind between 9 and 11 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 47. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Sunday: Cloudy, with a high near 70.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49.
Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 72.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Tuesday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Interior Conditions

Wilderness conditions can change suddenly. While believed accurate, weather conditions may change at any time. All users should plan accordingly, including bringing flashlight, first aid equipment, extra food, plenty of water and clothing. Weather conditions may alter your plans; you should be prepared to spend an unplanned night in the woods before entering the back country.

Fire Danger: LOW

King Phillips Spring: The spring, located near Exit 30 of the Northway, has been closed by DEC due to public health risk. The spring’s waters have consistently exceeded drinking water standards for total coliform for the past 6 months. DEC not ensure the safety of the spring’s water for drinking. Therefore to protect the safety of the public the pipe has been removed and the spring has been closed.

July 4th/Canada Day Weekend High Usage: 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.

Rainy Weather: Rains have created muddy trail conditions. Hikers should be prepared by wearing waterproof footwear and gaiters and remember to walk through, not around, mud and water on trails.

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.

Blowdown – Recent severe storms have resulted in blowdown on many trails – especially on lesser used side trails. Plan hiking trips accordingly.

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.

Be Prepared Before Entering the Back Country:

Check current weather conditions and short-term forecasts immediately before entering the backcountry;
Dress properly with:
- Appropriate outer wear and foot wear – include rain gear, gaiters and water proof footwear
- Layers of non-cotton clothes
Pack the following clothing & gear:
- Extra clothes and socks
- Hat and gloves
- Crampons or stabilicers
- Ensolite pad to rest on and insulate your body from cold surfaces
- Bivy sack or space blankets for extra warmth.
Always carry a flashlight and extra batteries

Please be aware that accessing the Forest Preserve through the rest areas is prohibited. In accordance with New York State Regulation §156.3(d), vehicles may not be left unattended in the rest area, unless the operator or passenger is within the rest area. Also parking of vehicles for longer than three hours during the hours of darkness is not permitted in accordance with §156.3(c).

CLOSURES & OTHER NOTICES

VanHoevenberg Trail to Mt. Marcy: The High Water bridge on the VanHoevenberg Trail, 0.3 miles southeast of Marcy Dam, which allows dry crossing over Phelps Brook during periods of high water, broke and has been removed. This means a rock hop or wading in high water, until this bridge can be replaced. The schedule for replacement of the bridge has not been determined at this time.

Blowdown: Trails, particularly lesser used side trails, may contain significant amounts of blowdown from recent severe thunderstorms.

Northville-Placid Trail: The Northville Placid Trail is once again passable and the bridge over the Cold River is open.

Caulkins Brook Truck Trail/Horse Trail: A “tunnel” has been cut out through the blowdown on the Caulkins Brook Truck Trail/Horse Trail between the Calkins Brook leantos and Shattuck Clearing. The trail is open for hikers but remains impassable to horses and wagons. DEC crews continue to work to open the trail.

Elk Lake: The gate on the Elk Lake Road is open.

Corey’s Road: The Corey’s Road is open.

East River Trail: The Opalescent River Bridge on the East River Trail is out. Wading at this time of year should not be attempted due to cold swift moving water. This is a remote location that could have life threatening conditions if you get wet.

Roaring Brook Bridge: The bridge over Roaring Brook at the intersection of the Northville-Placid trail and Preston Ponds trail, 1/2 mile north of Duck Hole, has been rebuilt and is open for foot traffic. Hand rail has not yet been reinstalled, so use appropriate caution when crossing.

Big Slide Ladder: The ladder up the final pitch of Big Slide has been removed.

Calamity Lean-to: Calamity Lean-to #1, the lean-to closest to the old Calamity Dam in the Flowed Lands, has been dismantled and removed.

Opalescent Cable Bridge: The cable bridge over the Opalescent River on the Hanging Spear Falls trail has been washed out. The crossing will be impassable during high water periods.

Mt. Adams Fire Tower: The cab of the Mt. Adams Fire Tower was heavily damaged by windstorms. The fire tower is closed to public access until DEC can make repairs to the structure.

Trail between Upper Works and Duck Hole: Two foot bridges on the trail between Upper Works and Preston Pond were washed out by an ice jam. One bridge was located 1/3 mile northwest of the new lean-to on Henderson Lake. The second bridge was located several tenths of a mile further northwest. The streams can be crossed by rock hopping. Crossings may be difficult during periods of high water.

Northville Placid Trail: Beaver activity has blocked a section between Plumley Point and Shattuck Clearing. Hikers can use a well used, but unmarked, 1/4 mile reroute around the flooded portion of the trail.

Duck Hole: The bridge over the dam has been removed due to its deteriorating condition. A low water crossing (ford) has been marked below the dam near the lean-to site. This crossing will not be possible during periods of high water.

NYS DEC Region 5.