Current Interior Conditions in the Adirondack High Peaks Region

Compiled on – Thursday, September 2, 2010

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.

Today: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Widespread haze before 2pm. Partly cloudy, with a high near 83. Southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Friday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Calm wind becoming south between 10 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Friday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 57. South wind between 4 and 7 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Saturday: Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 64. West wind between 8 and 17 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Saturday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 45. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Sunday: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a high near 58. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Sunday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Labor Day: Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 64.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 68.

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.

Labor Day Weekend: Due to the long holiday weekend visitors to the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness and other popular Adirondack destinations should be aware that trailhead parking lots and interior campsites will likely fill to capacity. Plan accordingly and seek backcountry recreation opportunities in less used areas of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

Fire Danger Rating: MODERATE Vegetation is still green and lush, however, the ground and duff are very dry. Please be cautious with fire.

Be Sure Campfires Are Out: Drown the fire with water. Stir to make sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Stir the remains, add more water, and stir again. If you do not have water, use dirt not duff. Do not bury coals as they can smolder and break out into fire later.

Biting Insects: “Bug Season” has begun in the Adirondacks. Now until the end of summer Black Flies, Mosquitos, 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.

Be Prepared Before Entering the Back Country:

Check (before entering the backcountry)

Local Forest Ranger for current information.
Current weather conditions and short-term forecast

Wear

Appropriate outer wear and foot wear
Layers of non-cotton clothes

Carry

Map and compass and know how to use them and use them!
Flashlight and extra batteries
Plenty of food and water

Pack

Extra clothes and socks
Rain gear
Ensolite pad to rest on and insulate your body from cold surfaces
Bivy sack or space blankets for extra warmth

Always inform someone of your itinerary and when you expect to return

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).

NOTICES

Caulkins Brook Truck Trail/Horse Trail: Much of the blowdown on the Caulkins Brook Truck Trail/Horse Trail between the Calkins Brook lean-tos and Shattuck Clearing has been removed. The trail is open for hikers but remains impassable to horses and wagons. DEC crews continue to work to open the trail.
Opalescent Cable Bridge: The cable bridge over the Opalescent River on the East River/Hanging Spear Falls trail has been washed out. The crossing will be impassable during high water periods.
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.
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 across 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.