The only independent, nonprofit news organization solely dedicated to reporting on the Adirondack Park.
By Mike Lynch
With what could be a busy Columbus Day weekend for High Peaks hiking fast approaching, we pulled out this timelapse video from a September weekend in 2017 on Cascade Mountain. About 550 hikers visited the summit on this particular day.
The highest potential fine that could be levied against the driver who illegally took his Jeep Cherokee into Marcy Dam -- via a truck road over Forest Preserve -- is $750.
“DEC and AMR continue to have productive discussions about strategies for 2021 that will help protect the area’s natural resources and promote sustainable use.”
By Tim Rowland
A hiker illegally drove onto the forest preserve putting a capstone on a summer season that has attracted a new demographic to the woods.
I had assigned myself one simple ground rule when I packed gear and my freeze-dried vittles for this four-day walk. I would summit none of the 4,000-foot-topping peaks that draw hikers by the hundreds and thousands.
Owners of the Adirondack Mountain Reserve say easements allow them to close trails and limit use. The state has declined to respond.
The coronavirus pandemic has led New York to start imposing restrictions already, which could be soft openings for more.
A Leave No Trace report found crowding, trail degradation, human and pet waste, unprepared visitors and parking were all pressing issues.
DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos talked about crowds in the High Peaks, the state budget, permits, staffing and protecting hikers and natural resources.
By Mike Lynch
Large summer crowds are a trend that has been well established in recent years, and many hikers are continuing to go to the summits unprepared for such long and remote day trips.