Western Adirondacks fared much better after Irene; campgrounds expected to stay open
Unsafe conditions will remain in much of the backcountry of the Adirondacks’ High Peaks region through Labor Day Weekend and beyond, according to a warning issued Thursday by the New York State Department of Environ-mental Conservation (DEC), as a result of Hurricane Irene. Several trail areas are closed or inaccessible due to storm damage that involved flooding, bridge wash-outs, trail wash-outs and blow down of trees and other debris. Areas in the Western Adirondacks are reported in fairly good condition though some flooding and blowdown can be expected, according to DEC. Most DEC campgrounds in the Adirondacks are expected to be open for Labor Day Weekend with many available sites, DEC said. “We encourage the public to check the DEC website for current trail conditions and campground closures before planning their travels this coming holiday weekend,” said DEC Commissioner Joe Martens. Closed are the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, Giant Mountain Wilderness and Dix Mountain Wilderness. Over the next several weeks DEC will be evaluating the conditions of all trails in the closed areas. It will prioritize work to rehabilitate trails and determine what trails may be reopened for public use. Many mountain areas have been impacted by landslides, the DEC is reporting. Among them are Mt. Colden, Trap Dike, Wright Peak, Skylight, Basin, Armstrong, Upper and Lower Wolf Jaws, Dix, Macomb, Giant and Cascade Mountains. Although a full assessment of the recreational infrastructure in all areas of the Adirondacks has not been completed, several trail hazards have been confirmed, along with lesser amounts of damage on some Adirondack Forest Preserve lands. DEC advises that hikers and campers should expect to encounter flooding, bridge wash outs, trail wash outs and blow down when entering the backcountry. Plan accordingly and be prepared to turn back when conditions warrant, DEC said. Updated information on trail closures and trail conditions in the Eastern Adirondacks can be found at: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html.
