Following recent heavy rains, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation today issued a high-water advisory for the Adirondack Park.
Hikers planning outings near waterways and on high-elevation trails are urged to postpone their trips to avoid potential injury and to reduce negative impacts on trails.
Waterbodies in the region rose considerably after Hurricane Beryl passed through earlier this week. Streams and rivers are running high and fast with strong currents. Hikers should avoid trails that include stream crossings and use all available high-water routes, DEC warns. Do not attempt to cross swift-moving streams and rivers. Turn back and return another day.
Current trail conditions across the Adirondack Park are extremely wet, creating risks to hikers due to unstable trail tread and slippery rocks, as well as hypothermia, DEC said. Hikers are advised to temporarily avoid high-elevation trails because sliding boots destroy trails, damage surrounding vegetation, and cause washouts by eroding thin soils.
Hikers should check the weather for the day of, night of, and day after their trips in case of an unexpected overnight, DEC said. Storms can emerge suddenly and quickly in high elevations. Water levels rise rapidly in heavy rains and can become impassable within minutes. Avoid getting caught on the wrong side of a stream and turn back at any signs of changing weather conditions.
Hikers are advised to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures, and general recreation information for the Adirondacks, particularly in the wake of the recent flooding.
Steve Featherstone covers the outdoors for The Post Standard, syracuse.com and NYUP.com. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter @featheroutdoors. You can also follow along with all of our outdoors content at newyorkupstate.com/outdoors/ or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/upstatenyoutdoors.