A new pilot Route 73 shuttle service will be begin Saturday, August 21st, along the busy Route 73 corridor in the Adirondack High Peaks region, according to announcement issued Thursday by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Essex County, and town of Keene. [Read more…] about New Adirondack High Peaks Shuttle Starting Aug 21st
Overuse
100 Adirondack Hikes to Avoid Weekend Crowds
Memorial Day Weekend is one of the biggest hiking weekends each year in the Adirondacks. Trailhead parking areas will fill up early and overflow crowds are expected throughout the High Peaks Wilderness Area.
In an effort to help disperse crowds beyond the High Peaks Wilderness Area to lesser used and known trails and hikes across the Adirondacks, Protect the Adirondacks has published online trail guides to 100 terrific destinations throughout the Adirondack Park. These online trail guides provide maps and information for 100 trails in all corners of the Adirondacks Park. [Read more…] about 100 Adirondack Hikes to Avoid Weekend Crowds
Permits Required for Peekamoose Blue Hole and Rondout Creek Areas
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released updated regulations for visitors to the Peekamoose Blue Hole and nearby Rondout Creek area in the Sundown Wild Forest, town of Denning, Ulster County.
DEC issued the regulations as part of an effort to protect this resource and promote sustainable use. The regulations are expected to help improve public safety and reduce environmental impacts in the area. [Read more…] about Permits Required for Peekamoose Blue Hole and Rondout Creek Areas
DEC, Private Club Piloting High Peaks Hiker Reservation System
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Ausable Club have announced a pilot reservation system to access the Club’s private lands, the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR). Since 1978 the State has held a conservation easement on Club/Reserve lands which allows limited access to some of the more popular places in the Adirondack Park’s High Peaks Wilderness Area.
A press release from DEC cited “reliable access” and public safety along Route 73 among the reasons for the change. The pilot program is slated to run for three years according to DEC. [Read more…] about DEC, Private Club Piloting High Peaks Hiker Reservation System
Catskills Visitor Use Survey Underway
DEC and their partners that make up the Catskill Advisory Group have invited the public to take part in a short survey which looks at visitor use challenges faced by the Catskill region and potential solutions. [Read more…] about Catskills Visitor Use Survey Underway
Dave Gibson: Establish A Wilderness Training Center in NYS
The stress of our sheer numbers on wild lands, other hikers, summit stewards, forest and assistant rangers and local communities and volunteers bordering Routes 73 and 86 this hiking season – and many before this – easily disconnects and untethers us from the historical and philosophical roots of wilderness preservation and management. [Read more…] about Dave Gibson: Establish A Wilderness Training Center in NYS
Survey: High Peaks Hikers Seek Wildness, Solitude, Support Limits
Two conservation organizations and a state college today released the preliminary results of a two-month hiker survey in and around the High Peaks Wilderness Area showing that the 673 hikers surveyed came there seeking solitude and wildness, and would favor limits on visitation to prevent damage to the “forever wild” Forest Preserve. [Read more…] about Survey: High Peaks Hikers Seek Wildness, Solitude, Support Limits
Adk Wild: DEC Should Test High Peaks Online Permit System
This 2020 Columbus Day Weekend, peak use of parts of the High Peaks and Giant Mountain Wilderness areas in the Adirondack Park have again be exceeded.
Now is the time to consider a permit reservation or limited entry system for key points of entry into these wilderness areas as necessary, helpful, practical, and practicable, says Adirondack Wild: Friends of the Forest Preserve. [Read more…] about Adk Wild: DEC Should Test High Peaks Online Permit System
Siena Poll Shows Support For Limits on Hiking, Camping in High Peaks
A Siena College Research Institute poll of New York voters in September showed that by 68% to 22% they want New York State officials to protect overused public lands in the Adirondack Forest Preserve from further abuse by enforcing resource capacity limits, rather than building bigger and bigger parking lots to accommodate the surging crowds. [Read more…] about Siena Poll Shows Support For Limits on Hiking, Camping in High Peaks
50 Adirondack Places To Visit Outside The High Peaks This Holiday Weekend
For Labor Day Weekend, Protect the Adirondacks has published online hiking trail guides for 50 hikes that lead to great destinations outside of the heavily-used High Peaks Wilderness. [Read more…] about 50 Adirondack Places To Visit Outside The High Peaks This Holiday Weekend