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High Peaks Overuse Issues

A hiker takes in the views from Giant Mountain this past spring, finding solitude on an otherwise busy weekend.
A hiker takes in the views from Giant Mountain this past spring, finding solitude on an otherwise busy weekend.
Cascade Mountain parking on Sunday, October 15, 2016, during Columbus Day weekend. When parking lots fill up on state Route 73, drivers often park their motor vehicles along the road, sometimes creating dangerous situations for passing vehicles and hikers.
Cascade Mountain parking on Sunday, October 15, 2016, during Columbus Day weekend. When parking lots fill up on state Route 73, drivers often park their motor vehicles along the road, sometimes creating dangerous situations for passing vehicles and hikers.
Cascade Mountain parking on Sunday, October 15, 2016, during Columbus Day weekend. When parking lots fill up on state Route 73, drivers often park their motor vehicles along the road, sometimes creating dangerous situations for passing vehicles and hikers.
Cascade Mountain parking on Sunday, October 15, 2016, during Columbus Day weekend. When parking lots fill up on state Route 73, drivers often park their motor vehicles along the road, sometimes creating dangerous situations for passing vehicles and hikers.
Cascade Mountain parking on Sunday, October 15, 2016, during Columbus Day weekend. When parking lots fill up on state Route 73, drivers often park their motor vehicles along the road, sometimes creating dangerous situations for passing vehicles and hikers.
Cascade Mountain parking on Sunday, October 15, 2016, during Columbus Day weekend. When parking lots fill up on state Route 73, drivers often park their motor vehicles along the road, sometimes creating dangerous situations for passing vehicles and hikers.
Portable toilets have been placed at several trailheads along Route 73, including Cascade Mountain, starting in 2016 by the Ausable River Association. DEC says more portable toilets will be placed along state Route 73.
Portable toilets have been placed at several trailheads along Route 73, including Cascade Mountain, starting in 2016 by the Ausable River Association. DEC says more portable toilets will be placed along state Route 73.
Box privies have been installed at high elevations, a change from the past. This one is near the summit of Cascade Mountain.
Box privies have been installed at high elevations, a change from the past. This one is near the summit of Cascade Mountain.
Not everyone uses the pit privy on Cascade Mountain, and toilet paper can be found on spur trails like this one near the summit.
Not everyone uses the pit privy on Cascade Mountain, and toilet paper can be found on spur trails like this one near the summit.
Orange peels and litter can often be found on trails after busy weekends in the High Peaks.
Orange peels and litter can often be found on trails after busy weekends in the High Peaks.
A man drives his toy car down Cascade Mountain, likely a violation because the toy is a motorized vehicle being used in a Wilderness area.
A man drives his toy car down Cascade Mountain, likely a violation because the toy is a motorized vehicle being used in a Wilderness area.
An upclose view of the toy car that was able to navigate the trail on Cascade Mountain.
An upclose view of the toy car that was able to navigate the trail on Cascade Mountain.
An eroded section of trail on Cascade Mountain. Photo by Mike Lynch
An eroded section of trail on Cascade Mountain. Photo by Mike Lynch
A sign placed by summit stewards on Cascade Mountain warns hikers to stay off the vegetation.
A sign placed by summit stewards on Cascade Mountain warns hikers to stay off the vegetation.
A sign placed by summit stewards warns hikers to stay off the vegetation. This hiker apparently didn't notice the sign.
A sign placed by summit stewards warns hikers to stay off the vegetation. This hiker apparently didn't notice the sign.
A summit steward talks to hikers on Cascade Mountain.
A summit steward talks to hikers on Cascade Mountain.
Hikers on Cascade Mountain's summit.
Hikers on Cascade Mountain's summit.
Hikers on Cascade Mountain's summit.
Hikers on Cascade Mountain's summit.
Hikers on Cascade Mountain's summit.
Hikers on Cascade Mountain's summit.
A hiker finds a moment of solitude on Giant Mountain during a busy weekend. Photo by Mike Lynch
A hiker finds a moment of solitude on Giant Mountain during a busy weekend. Photo by Mike Lynch
Hikers take in a view of Chapel Pond and nearby cliffs during a hike up Giant Mountain.
Hikers take in a view of Chapel Pond and nearby cliffs during a hike up Giant Mountain.
Hikers pass on the way up Giant Mountain.
Hikers pass on the way up Giant Mountain.
Giant Mountain hikers tromp through the mud. Photo by Mike Lynch
Giant Mountain hikers tromp through the mud. Photo by Mike Lynch
Much of the trail on Giant Mountain is in good shape. Here is an eroded section.
Much of the trail on Giant Mountain is in good shape. Here is an eroded section.
Summit of Giant Mountain.
Summit of Giant Mountain.
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The state Department of Environmental Conservation has been grappling with how to deal with the increasing number of hikers in the High Peaks in recent years. I wrote a series of articles about the subject last year, and we will continue to report on the issue again this summer. Above are some photos that illustrate some of the problems in the High Peaks but also some of the reasons why they are so popular.

 

 

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Mike Lynch

Mike Lynch

Mike Lynch is a multimedia reporter for the Adirondack Explorer. He can be reached at mike@adirondackexplorer.org. Sign up for Mike’s newsletter

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