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
High Peaks
Essex County to run free High Peaks trail buses this summer
By TIM ROWLAND Hiker shuttle buses will serve popular High Peaks trailheads this summer under an agreement between the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Essex County. As planned, the state will pay $1.2 million for four … [Read more...] about Essex County to run free High Peaks trail buses this summer
2019 Adirondack stories of the year
"Crowding." "Day use." "Overuse." "Traffic management." Whatever you want to call it -- even if you just call it a lot of people enjoying nature -- the effort to understand and plan for the rising number of people driving to and hiking … [Read more...] about 2019 Adirondack stories of the year
‘Murray’s Fools’ at 150
The book that created the buzz -- and the continuing debate By PHILIP TERRIE The story of eastern High Peaks crowds is familiar by now: jammed and limited parking places along Route 73, eroded and deteriorating trails on Cascade and … [Read more...] about ‘Murray’s Fools’ at 150
Keene Valley looks to better educate throngs of High Peaks hikers
By TIM ROWLAND In an information age, information about hiking the High Peaks can be surprisingly scarce. A GPS app can supply the coordinates of a summit or trailhead, but nothing on a smartphone is going to tell a visitor where to go if the … [Read more...] about Keene Valley looks to better educate throngs of High Peaks hikers
Adirondack advocates and officials seek a plan for high-use trails
Editor's note: This story from the Explorer's November/December magazine has been updated to reflect the state's creation of an advisory group. By MIKE LYNCH It was a perfect fall hiking day with blue skies and peak foliage. The first … [Read more...] about Adirondack advocates and officials seek a plan for high-use trails