GREETINGS TO OUR CANADIAN FRIENDS
Those planning to recreate in the Adirondacks this Victoria Day weekend, please be aware of:

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 Victoria Day weekend. Please plan accordingly and seek backcountry recreation opportunities in other areas.

EXPECT HIGH WATERS and MUDDY TRAILS

LAKE CHAMPLAIN REMAINS ABOVE FLOOD STAGE:

• The Ausable Point Campground is closed, as is the campground access road.
• Many Valcour Island campsites and access points are flooded.
• Due to the high waters, floating docks have not been installed and bathrooms are closed at Peru Dock, Port Douglas, Willsboro Bay and other boat launches.
• Launching and retrieving boats will be difficult, especially for boaters not familiar with the location of ramps, walkways, docks, posts, etc. that are now underwater.
• The pump station is closed at the Peru Dock Boat Launch.

HIGH WATERS

• On the Saranac Lake Chain both the Lower Locks, between First Pond and Oseetah Lake, and the Upper Locks, between Lower Saranac Lake and Middle Saranac Lake, are closed due to high waters and debris.
• Campsites on Middle Saranac Lake are open but can only be accessed from the South Creek Fishing Access Site on Route 3, which is designed for car top boats only. The creek is shallow and narrow in the .8 km section from the access site to the Lake.
• Waters are high at most boat launches. Launching and retrieving boats will be difficult, especially for boaters that are not familiar with the location of location of ramps, walkways, docks, posts, etc. that are now underwater.
• Rivers and streams are running swiftly, increasing the risk of falling in and the chances of being dumped from canoes or kayaks. Cold water temperatures increase the risk of hypothermia and drowning if you should fall into the water.
• High waters may contain logs, limbs and other debris.
• High waters also conceal navigation hazards such as boulders, rock shelves, docks and other structures that normally are easily seen and avoided.

WET & MUDDY TRAILS

• The Flume Bike Trail System in Wilmington is wet and muddy. Bikers are asked to avoid using the trail system to prevent damage to the trails.
• The unpaved section of Corey’s Road, Elk Pond Road at Clear Pond gate, and many DEC roadways are closed due to muddy conditions.
• Hikers should wear waterproof footwear and gaiters, and remember to walk through – not around – mud and water to prevent eroding and widening the trail.
• Caution should be used when crossing streams without foot bridges.
• 30 cm of snow can be found at elevations of 1050 meters up to the tree line, the snows can be found in lower elevations on north and east facing slopes. Wear proper clothing and footwear (NO running shoes or shorts) and expect it to take much longer to traverse trails with snow.
• Blowdown – trees, limbs and branches – may be encountered on many trails.
• Trails and campsites adjacent to waters may be flooded.

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.

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

Via the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation