View Full Version : Adirondack High Peaks
Joker4ink
09-02-2011, 14:26
This weekend I am headed up to the Adirondacks in the Saranac Lake area for the first time. Can you recommend a couple day hikes in the High Peaks near there? Thanks, Steve
Be aware that 3 major areas of the Adirondacks are CLOSED due to the effects of Irene last week.
http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2011/09/02/dec-stationed-at-trailheads/
There are still plenty of great areas to explore though. Just make sure where you plan on going is not in a closed area. I will up there this weekend in an area that is still open.
dockless
09-02-2011, 15:03
Many trails are closed. See these DEC websites.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html
http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/76659.html
and the forum: http://www.adkforum.com/
Here is the DEC page which lists the specific closures: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html
Since you asked about high peaks, of the 46 only a few are in the non-closed western high peaks region. Look up the Seward range. These peaks have no marked trails to the summits as an fyi.
Snowleopard
09-02-2011, 15:08
The Adirondacks got hammered by Hurricane Irene and trails are closed. You might be arrested if you go into one of the closed areas. adkhighpeaksforum has more info.
I know there was flooding around Keene, NY. The ADK are a big area, so there may be places that are OK. You can check at the ADK high peaks forums http://forums.adkhighpeaks.com/ There are threads there on the flood damage. Parts of the Catskills are worse than Vermont; the ADK high peaks forum has threads about that also.
I came upon this article with more info on where in the Adirondacks you can hike:
http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-ta...-can-you-hike/ (http://adirondackexplorer.org/out-takes/2011/08/30/after-irene-where-can-you-hike/)
It looks like the Eastern High Peaks region got hammered, but "Forest rangers have yet to reconnoiter all of the backcountry, but it’s believed that the central and western Adirondacks largely escaped the wrath of Irene."
Joker4ink
09-02-2011, 15:24
Yes, I was exploring the NY Gov website and saw the advisories and it looks like the north western section received less of the damage. I will definitely pay attention to closed trails of course. How is Mount Ampersand or peaks near it?
Western High Peaks weren't hit as bad and are still open. There will still be blowdowns and it'll be a sloppy muddy mess. That being said, check out the Seward Range (Seymour mtn, Seward mtn, donaldson, emmons). Ampersand mountain is a nice day hike as well, trailhead off rte. 3.
Lots of roads closed up there still too, I'd call ahead.
jeez. A lot of us from Rochester.
anyone else planning on heading up there? I will be in the W. Canadas tomorrow AM.
I was headed up there, decided to go down to PA for the weekend instead.
Whiteface Mountain might be open too, though you can drive to the summit so it might be crowded, lots of winter olympic stuff up there.
dockless
09-02-2011, 16:09
Just came back from Twin Lakes near Kane, PA. Went there instead of Lake Harris because of Irene. No one else there - school's started a week to ten days ago.
If you're going there, take some bear spray. $40 at Gander Mountain.
There's six bears at the campground that are used to being fed by people. Hard to cook. They show up for handouts.
Also a momma with three cubs all over the campground. Never know where she'll be... makes it hard to just walk around.
Should be OK if you're not gonna be staying at a campground.
I am in the Daks right now. There were very obvious signs of irene on the roads in. We are east. We won't be doing much hiking, just relaxing, unless we can find something that's been checked out and okayed. Looks wet. We are near Schroon Lake.
Joker4ink
09-06-2011, 22:16
I only managed to get in one quick day hike but did Mount Ampersand. The trail was crowded but the views were amazing and I made new friends along the way (went out for a beer after the hike). Hopefully when I get more time I will be able to get back up there an knock off a few of the 46.