The ongoing pandemic is asserting its influence on Adirondack summer recreation, amplifying worries about public safety and the increased number of visitors, especially in the High Peaks.
There are many questions: will there be more hikers this season? Fewer? Will choked trailheads be COVID vectors? Will novice visitors seeking to escape both the coronavirus and social isolation mean an increase in unprepared hikers and rescues? Will a decrease in the usual resources such as open facilities, trail stewards and shuttles cause our visitor management challenges to be overwhelming?
No one knows. Understandably, concern is high. [Read more…] about Viewpoint: We Need Forest Rangers As Forest Preserve Ambassadors