The 5,344-foot Mount Marcy, the tallest mountain in New York, continues to be a big draw for hikers during the pandemic. On Saturday, July 18, Explorer multimedia reporter Mike Lynch hiked the mountain, documenting the scene along the way. The photo … [Read more...] about DEC chief: High Peaks crowds are a problem this year’s state budget can’t fix
High Peaks
State captures bear that raided Lake Colden campsites
Rangers and campers, gathered around several black bear-resistant food canisters, chat shortly after pelting a camp-raiding bear with rubber ammunition near the Lake Colden dam on Friday evening. The state trapped and removed the bear on Monday. … [Read more...] about State captures bear that raided Lake Colden campsites
High Peaks advisers suggest crowd strategies, hold off on hiker permit plan
Hikers get advice at the High Peaks Information Center on June 12. Photo by Mike Lynch By Gwendolyn Craig A High Peaks advisory group on Monday submitted preliminary recommendations to the state for managing visitor use in the popular region of … [Read more...] about High Peaks advisers suggest crowd strategies, hold off on hiker permit plan
Up, up and away in the High Peaks
Jaryn DeShane climbs Eagle Slide on Giant Mountain. Photo by Kevin MacKenzie High-elevation backcountry offers climbers a remote challenge By Alan Wechsler Rock climber Kevin “MudRat” MacKenzie eyed his options on the cliff in front of him. … [Read more...] about Up, up and away in the High Peaks
DEC: Avoid the high-elevation trails
A Late Season Muddy Trails Advisory The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) urged hikers to be cautious and postpone hikes on trails above 2,500 feet until high elevation trails have dried and hardened. North-facing … [Read more...] about DEC: Avoid the high-elevation trails
State group privately debates High Peaks crowd solutions that could affect this summer’s visitors
Hikers make their way to the summit of Mount Marcy in 2019. Photo by Mike Lynch By Gwendolyn Craig Twenty-two people hand-picked by the state have been meeting behind closed doors to propose short- and long-term solutions to manage crowds in … [Read more...] about State group privately debates High Peaks crowd solutions that could affect this summer’s visitors
