Hikers Warned After Bridge Washes Out on Popular Adirondack Trail

If you’re thinking about heading into the mountains for a late-winter or early spring hike, officials say now might be the time to slow down and reconsider your plans.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is warning hikers to be extremely cautious, or even postpone trips into both the Adirondacks and the Catskills after recent warm temperatures and rainfall created dangerous backcountry conditions.

According to the DEC, hikers should expect “intense, severe, and dynamic conditions” across the region, including the popular High Peaks Wilderness.

Warm Weather Is Rapidly Changing Trail Conditions

Temperatures in the High Peaks have reached the upper 50s and low 60s, melting snowpack quickly before dropping again later this week. That sudden warm-up has created a messy mix of melting snow, rising streams and unstable trail surfaces.

Officials say many key winter routes are now impassable because of washed-out bridges, flooded trails and thawed water crossings that are creating unsafe conditions.

Even trails that appear passable could still be dangerous.

The DEC says compacted snow may look solid but can collapse beneath hikers, causing people to sink through to the ground. And this can happen even if you’re wearing boots, skis or snowshoes.

Washed-Out Bridge in the Adirondacks

One of the biggest issues right now involves the Calamity Brook Trail in the Adirondacks.

Officials say the high-water bridge on the trail has washed out, about 1.8 miles before reaching Flowed Lands in Essex County. That bridge damage means the route is currently impassable, and hikers may encounter dangerous detours or stream crossings.

DEC staff also reported several other unusual conditions in the backcountry, including up to two feet of standing water on frozen lake surfaces, damage to high-water bridges and snow slides on steep terrain.

Dangerous Stream Crossings in the Catskills

Similar problems are happening farther south in the Catskill Mountains.

In Ulster County, the DEC says the East Branch of the Neversink River in the town of Denning has been rising and falling quickly, creating unpredictable conditions for hikers trying to cross.

Officials warn that winter crossings that were once reliable are no longer safe. Hikers may now need to navigate steep snowbanks and icy slopes just to reach the water level, and water conditions can change dramatically throughout the day. That means a stream that looks manageable at the beginning of a hike could turn into a dangerous or even life-threatening crossing by the time you try to leave.

Officials Urge Hikers to Plan Carefully

The DEC says every year, experienced hikers take unnecessary risks trying to cross dangerous streams to avoid turning around or extending their trip.

Instead, officials recommend hikers know their routes well. Hikers should also allow extra time for unexpected delays and plan alternative routes ahead of time. And, be prepared to wait if water levels rise.

In some situations, hikers may even need to stay overnight in the backcountry while waiting for water levels to drop.

A Good Time to Play It Safe

Spring conditions in New York’s mountains can change fast, and right now officials say they’re changing especially quickly.

If you’re planning a hike in either the Adirondacks or the Catskills, make sure you’re prepared for flooding, unstable snow, washed-out crossings and rapidly rising streams before heading out.

Or, as the state likes to remind outdoor adventurers: Hike Smart New York.

Hike Smart New York

The DEC is reminding visitors to follow its Hike Smart New York guidelines, which encourage hikers to check trail conditions before leaving, carry proper gear and safety equipment, be prepared to change plans and allow extra time in case conditions worsen.