New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

High Peaks

Woman & Two Dogs Rescued In The Adirondack High Peaks

by Leave a Comment

forest ranger logoNew York State Forest Rangers rescued a woman and her two dogs who became lost while hiking Mount Marcy, New York State’s highest mountain, located in the Adirondack High Peaks.

On November 15th at 2:45 pm, the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance with the search for a hiker on Mount Marcy. The 35-year-old from Toronto became lost while hiking with her two dogs and called for help from her cell phone. [Read more…] about Woman & Two Dogs Rescued In The Adirondack High Peaks

Adirondack Hikers Rescued By Helicopter In Two Separate Incidents

by Leave a Comment

Hoist Rescue at Saddleback Cliffs in October 2022 (photo provided by DEC)On Sunday, October 30th, at 1:30 pm, while New York State Forest Rangers were battling two wildfires in other parts of the State, DEC’s Ray Brook Dispatch requested Forest Ranger assistance for a hiker with a lower leg injury near the summit of Mount Marcy.

Due to the location and severity of the injury, Rangers Lewis and Praczkajlo called for New York State Police (NYSP) Aviation assistance. [Read more…] about Adirondack Hikers Rescued By Helicopter In Two Separate Incidents

Important NYS Forest Preserve Management Reforms, Part 2

by Leave a Comment

“Visitor Use Management” Forest PreserveThe Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for development of a “Visitor Use Management” Plan for the Central High Peaks Wilderness Area in the Adirondack Park and the Kaaterskill Clove/Route 23A corridor of the Catskill Park.

The RFP marks a major step forward in DEC’s efforts to evaluate and address a series of impacts to the natural resources, the visitor experience, and public safety due to high recreational use in these two popular destinations on the New York State Forest Preserve. [Read more…] about Important NYS Forest Preserve Management Reforms, Part 2

Adirondack Hiker Rescued By Helicopter In High Peaks

by Leave a Comment

On Aug. 25 at 11:15 a.m., New York State Forest Ranger Lewis responded to a call for an injured hiker near the summit of Little Haystack Mountain, a 4,692 sub peak of Mount Haystack, which stands just 269 feet taller.

The peaks are located in the Town Keene, Essex County. Little Haystack is part of the Marcy Group in the Adirondack High Peaks. [Read more…] about Adirondack Hiker Rescued By Helicopter In High Peaks

Orra Phelps: With Us On Every Adirondack Trail

by 1 Comment

In the passages below, excerpted from a 1942 article appearing in a regional newspaper, there is a glaring error. Can you spot it?

“Dr. Orra A. Phelps, Fort Plain School Physician, was the principal speaker at the initial meeting of the Burroughs Nature Study Club…. He spoke on Guide to Adirondack Trails. In his talk, Dr. Phelps outlined various trails leading to the most picturesque spots in the upper Adirondacks from information gleaned first-hand by the speaker, who is an enthusiastic mountain climber. [Read more…] about Orra Phelps: With Us On Every Adirondack Trail

New Adirondack High Peaks Shuttles From North Hudson

by Leave a Comment

Frontier Town Campground, Equestrian and Day Use Area courtesy DECThe New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Essex County are launching a new shuttle route to help manage safe, sustainable visitation to backcountry destinations in the Adirondack High Peaks.

The new route builds on the existing Route 73 shuttles and will run on select summer and fall weekends from Frontier Town Gateway in North Hudson, to transportation to some of the region’s most scenic locations. [Read more…] about New Adirondack High Peaks Shuttles From North Hudson

Schenectady and the Adirondacks: A Legacy of Conservation

by 1 Comment

Upper Falls at the Plotter Kill Reserve courtesy Michael DianaSchenectady has a long history of its residents being active in conservation and outdoor recreation – in Schenectady County and in the wilderness of the North Country, alike.

Schenectadians’ interest in protecting and exploring wilderness has its roots in the mid 1800s with industrialization and westward expansion. The wilderness was at risk of disappearing, and influential nature lovers used their writings to convince Americans that preserving land and wildlife was vital. Many Americans, including people in Schenectady, could easily see the case for this. [Read more…] about Schenectady and the Adirondacks: A Legacy of Conservation

A Review of the High Peaks-AMR Parking Permit System in Year Two

by 2 Comments

AMR Dial Range2021 was the first year of the new permit system at the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) parking area and trailheads in St. Hubert’s in the Adirondack Park’s High Peaks region, organized by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

The permit reservation system is seasonal and runs from May 1st to October 31st. 2022 is year two. Last year I went through the system in its first month on a hike up Gothics Mountain and wrote a review about my experience. [Read more…] about A Review of the High Peaks-AMR Parking Permit System in Year Two

State Forest Preserve Visitor Use Management Plans for 2022 Season

by Leave a Comment

DEC LogoNew York State and local community leaders recently announced initiatives planned for the 2022 outdoor recreation season designed to protect public safety and promote sustainable recreation in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks.

Many of these actions, bolstered by $8 million from the State Environmental Protection Fund specifically for Adirondack and Catskill visitor safety and wilderness protection in the recently enacted 2022-23 State Budget, support a strategy to improve safety, sustainability, and equitable access. [Read more…] about State Forest Preserve Visitor Use Management Plans for 2022 Season