As reports come in, all signs point to busy summer

We all know it was a busy summer, just by looking around at our favorite lakes, trails and campgrounds. And now, thanks to recent reports, we have some data to prove it.

Take, for example, information from these recent Explorer articles:

• Boat inspection sites across the Adirondacks and especially on Lake George saw increased activity.
• DEC Ranger-conducted backcountry rescues hit an all-time high this year.
• Many Adirondack communities are experiencing a real estate boom, limited only by a lack of inventory.

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What’s new

WHAT’S NEXT FOR HIGH PEAKS TRAFFIC: With the summer/fall tourism season winding down, state and local organizations are assessing what to do to manage crowds next year. (And the DEC released meeting notes from the past 8 months of High Peaks Advisory Group meetings.) READ MORE

ARMY TRAINING EXERCISES: Fort Drum’s plans to conduct training drills in the Adirondacks has raised questions, which Peter Bauer addresses in an Almanack commentary piece. READ MORE

OLD SCHOOL REBELLION: Did disgruntled Adirondack guides sink the Buttercup into the depths of Long Lake? READ MORE

What people are talking about

HIKER PERMITS: Recent news releases and commentary have attempted to cast widespread support for a hiker permit, aka “limited entry” system in the High Peaks Wilderness (or at least in the popular Eastern side). But pushback is growing READ MORE

Coronavirus

HALLOWEEN: Tri-lakes community groups offer socially distanced drive-in movie nights as a Halloween alternative. READ MORE

Note: A version of this post first ran in my “Adk News Briefing” weekly email newsletter. Click here to sign up.