Current Interior Conditions in the Adirondack High Peaks Region

Compiled on Thursday May 16, 2013

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 Increasing clouds, with a high near 51. Windy, with a west wind 30 to 36 mph.
Tonight A chance of rain showers before 2am, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers between 2am and 3am, then a slight chance of snow showers after 3am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54. Northwest wind 14 to 17 mph.
Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 30. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming light in the evening.
Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Calm wind becoming north 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon.
Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 39. Northeast wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind 11 to 14 mph.
Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 58. South wind 11 to 14 mph.
Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph.
Tuesday A 30 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 10 to 13 mph.
Tuesday Night A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.
Wednesday A 40 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Latest Regional Forecast: National Weather Service – BTV

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: Moderate Campfires are prohibited in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness.

Victoria Day Weekend: This is a Canadian holiday weekend. Trailhead parking lots and interior campsites reach capacity in the region, especially in the Eastern High Peaks. Plan accordingly and seek backcountry recreation opportunities in other areas of the Adirondack Forest Preserve to avoid crowds. Hiking Trails Outside the High Peaks Area

Muddy Trail Advisory: Hikers are advised to avoid trails above 3000 feet to protect the trails and surrounding vegetation which are very vulnerable at this time of year. Hikers can cause severe erosion of trails and significant damage to vegetation. Steep, wet and muddy trails are also very slippery. Hikers are asked use low and mid-elevation trails at this time.

Bear Activity: Bears are becoming active in the backcountry. The use of bear-resistant canisters to store all food, toiletries and waste is required for overnight users in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness and encouraged throughout the Adirondacks.

Biting Insects: 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, and 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; and Use an insect repellant with DEET, follow label directions

Trail Conditions: Trails in the lower elevations are generally dry, though forecasted rains may change that. Wear appropriate footwear for hiking through wet and muddy areas. Stay on the trail and hike through muddy areas to avoid widening the trails or creating “herd paths”. Snow is present in higher elevations and on summits.

Summits: Conditions on and near summits are more extreme – snow, ice, strong winds and cold temperatures.

Old Military Road Construction: Road construction is underway Old Military Road which connects Route 73 and Route 86. A detour through the village of Lake Placid is required. Construction is expected to be completed by Memorial Day Weekend.

NOTE: Fires are prohibited in Eastern High Peaks Wilderness Zone

NOTE: Group size regulations are in effect throughout the High Peaks Wilderness. Group size for overnight campers is 8 or less and for day use it is 15 or less.

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

Latest Trail Information: High Peaks

Corey’s Road: The gate is open and the road is open to motor vehicle traffic.

Garden Parking Lot: The town of Keene is staffing The Garden parking lot and a $7/day fee is being collected 7 days a week. The shuttle from the remote parking near Marcy Field is not yet running.

Clear Pond Gate: The gate at Clear Pond on the Elk Lake Road will reopen on Friday, May 10, providing motor vehicle access to the Elk Lake-Mt. Marcy and Dix Mtn.-Hunter Pass trailheads.

Marshall and Other Trail-less Peaks: Many of the herd paths found on Marshall and some of the other trail-less peaks meander around the slopes of the mountain without reaching the peak. Those climbing these peaks should navigate with a map and compass rather than follow the paths created by others.

Northville-Placid Trail: The trail contains a large area of blowdown near the Seward Lean-to. A detour around the blowdown has been marked with pink flagging.

South Meadow Road: The Town of North Elba has blocked the South Meadow Road for the winter. Cars may park in the area near the roads end at the intersection with the Loj Road.

Marcy Brook Foot Bridge: A new bridge has been constructed over Marcy Brook. It is located approximately 200 feet below Marcy Dam, upstream from the low water crossing that had been in use since Hurricane Irene washed away the old bridge over Marcy Dam.

East River Trail: The bridge over the Hudson River is out, use the nearby flagged ford (low water crossing). An ice bridge does not form at the ford, so crossing the river at this point will always entail wading through the water. Crossing when water levels are high or when water temperatures are cold can be risky.

Bradley Pond Trail: The first bridge on the Bradley Pond Trail is damaged and unsafe to use. The stream can be forded at that location. The second bridge, which crosses Santanoni Brook, is tilting. It can be used with caution.

Southside Trail: DEC has closed the Southside Trail from the Garden Trailhead to John’s Brook Outpost and is not maintaining it at this time.

Cold Brook Trail: DEC has closed the Cold Brook Trail between Lake Colden and Indian Pass and is not maintaining it at this time.

Trap Dike: Fixed ropes, harnesses and other equipment are often abandoned in the Trap Dike. Due to the age, weatherizing and wearing of these materials they are unsafe and should never be used.

Deer Brook Trail: The low water route through the Deer Brook Flume on this trail to Snow Mountain remains impassable due to severe erosion.

Duck Hole-Henderson Lake Trail: The bridge over Roaring Brook Bridge near Duck Hole is out.

Klondike Trail: The bridge over South Meadow Brook is out. The Mr. Van Trail and the Marcy Dam Truck Trail can be used as a detour to reach South Meadow Road.

Calkins Creek Horse Trail: Two bridges are out – the trail is impassable for horse drawn wagons and difficult for horses.

Courtesy of DEC Region 5