Latest Known Trail Conditions NPTrail

Our baseline comes from hikes my partner, Genny, and I have taken and continue to take (usually with our dog, Fletcher) as well as trail maintenance trips to the NPTrail helping with blow-down removal, bog bridging and other trail work.  (We unfortunately lost our beloved dog, Fletcher - seen at the right - on August 8th of an apparent stroke and blood clot to his brain.  He passed quickly and peacefully.  He was 13)

Our report is supplemented with reports from the Adirondack Forum, NPT Section, the Adirondack Almanack, and most importantly reports from hikers of the NPtrail. This page will be constantly updated as new information is obtained either from the above sources, "Report Trail Conditions" reports from this website, trail stewards and other sources such as the ADK Trails Committee, ADK Trails Staff, the DEC and others.

Print the Trail Conditions Out:  I also keep a "pdf" file of the trail conditions updated so you can easily print out sections of it or the whole thing and perhaps take it with you.  I only hit the highlights of trail conditions that are important for you to know.  Currently it is 3 pages long.  Click here for the "pdf" version. 

Trail condition updates were last made on November 4, 2011.

The new NPTrail Chapter of ADK puts together volunteer trail crews to assist trail stewards with blow-down removal and other trail work.  If you have an interest in joining one of our trail work trips please contact Brendan Wiltse - email - phone: 518-429-0049

Latest Known Trail Conditions after hurricane Irene:  

Well, hurricane Irene certainly left her mark on the Adirondacks as roads, bridges and trails were washed away and closed in many areas of the Eastern High Peaks.  Irene also left her mark on the Northville-Placid Trail as part of the Duck Hole Dam breached with the result that Duck Hole Pond is more of a mud flat than a pond.  The Eastern High Peaks have reopened for hiking with few exceptions and the Northville-Placid Trail has been cleared again in most places.  

The only lean-to that we know of that had damage was the Ouluska Pass lean-to.  It was hit by the flooding of the Cold River and part of its foundation was damaged.  The Ouluska Pass Brook bridge was already damaged by the spring floods but appears to have been moved even further out of place.  It now has been cleared of debris and leveled for now.  It will require some rebuilding next spring.

Upper Benson trailhead to Route 8, Piseco, NY -

• Upper Benson trailhead to Silver Lake lean-to

• Silver Lake lean-to to Mud Lake lean-to

• Mud Lake lean-to to Whitehouse

• Whitehouse to Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to

• Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to to Route 8, Piseco, NY

Haskells Road trailhead, Piseco, NY to Wakely Dam, Cedar River Road -

• Haskells Road trailhead to Spruce Lake lean-to #1

• Spruce Lake lean-to #1 to Spruce Lake lean-to #3

• Spruce Lake lean-to #3 to South Lake lean-to

• South Lake lean-to to Former Caretaker Clearing at West Lake

• Clearing at West Lake to Beaver Pond lean-to
  

• Beaver Pond lean-to to Carry lean-to (aka - Cedar River lean-to)

• Carry lean-to to Wakely Dam

Wakely Dam, Cedar River Road to Route 28/30, Blue Mountain Lake -

• Wakely Dam to Stephens Pond lean-to

• Stephens Pond lean-to to Route 28/30, Blue Mountain Lake

Route 28/30, Blue Mountain Lake to Route 28N, Long Lake, NY -

• Route 28/30 trailhead to Tirrell Pond lean-to

• Tirrell Pond lean-to to height of land - shoulder of Blue Mountain

• Height of land to Route 28N trailhead parking

Tarbell Road trailhead, Long Lake, NY to Averyville trailhead, Lake Placid, NY -

• Tarbell Road trailhead to Catlin Bay lean-to


• Catlin Bay lean-to to Kelly Point lean-tos

• Kelly Point lean-tos to Plumley Point lean-tos

• Plumley Point lean-tos to Shattuck Clearing


• Shattuck Clearing to Ouluska Pass lean-to

• Ouluska Pass lean-to to Duck Hole lean-tos

• Duck Hole lean-tos to Moose Pond lean-to

• Moose Pond lean-to to Wanika Falls

• Wanika Falls to Averyville trailhead, Lake Placid, NY

Upper Benson trailhead parking area to Route 8, Piseco, NY - 22.2 miles

Upper Benson trailhead parking area to Silver Lake lean-to - 7.5 miles

The section from Rock Lake to Silver Lake lean-to (3.0 miles) has a new trail steward, Cheryl Hanes.  There is some blowdown still on the trail from Rock Lake to Silver Lake at this time but otherwise this section is in good condition. 

However, just a warning.  Just beyond Rock Lake (at 5.6 miles from the Upper Benson trailhead) there is a crossing of the West Branch of the Sacandaga River.  Normally, you can cross on dry stepping-stones.  There are no bridges to get across here.  But, as the picture to the right can attest to, this crossing can be quite challenging and dangerous during high water. 

This picture was taken in September, 2005, as I was hiking out from Silver Lake lean-to with four other hikers.  It had rained for 24 hours plus, quite hard at times.  Every little brook and stream over-flowed their banks.  This is what we came to at the West Branch of the Sacandaga River.  Two of us, the gentleman in the picture and myself, had experience crossing such a body of water.  We ferried the backpacks over and then helped the others cross.  In such a situation:  Undo the waist and chest straps on your backpack (so if you are swept off your feet you can more easily get free from your pack which might become an anchor and pull you under water); face upstream at all times and never turn sideways to the current; slide your feet along the bottom; never lift your feet or attempt to cross them (the current will slam into your feet and push you dangerously off balance); take your time; and in the case there are more experienced hikers with you, have them cross with you behind you to help guide you across.  This 50 foot wide crossing took over an hour to get five people safely across.  Click here for an article on trailspace.com about safe water crossings. 

Silver Lake lean-to to Mud Lake lean-to - 5.7 miles

Just north of the Silver Lake lean-to and before you get to Canary Pond the trail crosses a large clearing on corduroy.  Unfortunately, beaver activity int he area has flooded this clearing making a crossing quite difficult at times.   Below are several reports from hikers describing what they found.  As far as we know this area is still prone to flooding and wet and muddy conditions.  Use hiking sticks or grab a stick from the woods to help feel your way across the corduroy.  As you probably know, walking on corduroy is difficult under normal conditions but becomes pretty tricky when covered with mud and water.  As noted below by Ryan, there is a section that is missing which I believe is a former bog bridge over a small creek.  We have had numerous reports since late July, 2011 that this area has dried out and isn't under water at this time.  However, as the hikers have noted below, that can change quickly.




Posted at Adirondack Forum on 9/18/2010 by ScottR: "There's a real nasty bog crossing just before Canary Pond (and after Silver Lake). Guidebook says there is corduroy. I was foolish enough to think that where it disappeared it was just submerged in a few inches of water. That was more or less true. Until it wasn't. So I'd be on solid stuff, and put my pole down to test the next step ... only to have it sink to the handle. You can try to weave around the marshy stuff, but that's been done so much it's close to impassable as well ... at least in the conditions we had."

Here is another quote from a hiker, Chris Sobik, from a hike in August, 2010, "From my journal: 'The beaver meadow was an up-to-the-knee mud-fest, quite debilitating to the soul'." 

And this from Ryan Tolboom, Trenton, NJ:  "Hiked from Upper Benson to Piesco 7/6/11 - 7/8/11.  Everything is in pretty good shape with the exception of a spot just N of Silver Lake Leanto before you get to Canary Pond.  The boardwalk is submerged under about a foot of muck, which really isn't that bad.  If you stay in the middle you'll stay on top of the board walk.  Unfortunately a section in the middle is missing and you will promptly sink up to your waist in mud.  I'd caution people to check every step they take with a walking stick before they step or they could take a nasty plunge, as I did.  Fortunately Canary Pond is a beautiful place to wash up and dry out."


Here are two pictures of the bridge in this section taken in late September, 2011 by Ike Jutkowski (left two) and another one taken in August, 2011 by Marji and Jim Robinson (right one).  Note the bridge and trail are again under water.



Mud Lake lean-to to Whitehouse - 3.1 miles

Whitehouse to Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to - 2.2 miles

Hamilton Lake Stream lean-to to Route 8, Piseco, NY - 3.7 miles

Haskells Road trailhead, Piseco, to Wakely Dam, Cedar River Rd - 32.6 miles

Haskells Road trailhead to Spruce Lake lean-to #1 - 9.5 miles

Major issue in this section is many wet and muddy areas close to Spruce Lake.  Several existing bog bridges need repair/replacement and other areas need new bog bridging.  Lots of trail widening happening as people attempt to avoid the wet areas.  Where existing bog bridging is in place the tread underneath has recovered nicely.  There were some areas that were overgrown and some blow-downs needing removal but overall a relatively nice section of trail.  

Harlan and Hugh Hastings are the trail stewards for this section. 

Spruce Lake lean-to #1 to Spruce Lake lean-to #3 - 1.3 miles

Spruce Lake lean-to #3 to Former Caretaker clearing, West Lake - 5.6 miles

The trail stewards, David Ratti and Jayne Della Ratta, have done a nice job of clearing this section.  Dave has been in this year twice and has cleared all blowdown that was there from Spruce Lake lean-to #1 to West Canada Creek prior to hurricane Irene.  Dave did report that the Sampson Bog bridge (Shown at right)  has shifted from its foundation due to flooding but still is being held in place by cables attached to it and a tree.  A beaver dam upstream from the bridge, however, didn't fare so well and disappeared but has been rebuilt even bigger than before as reported by Dave in July, 2011.







We learned on May 8th that the bridge over the West Canada Creek in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness area is gone.  Apparently the spring flooding destroyed the bridge.  This is not an easy water crossing when water levels are high.  You will have to wade across West Canada Creek in water that is ankle deep to waist deep depending on the amount of rain that has fallen or is falling when you pass through. 

A rope has been tied to two trees on either side of the Creek near where the bridge was located to help hikers with a Creek crossing.  I and others, however, recommend that you cross downstream a bit where the Creek is wider and thus shallower and where there are rocks that you might be able to hop across on.  Either way, please be careful when crossing West Canada Creek in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness area of the NPTrail.  Click here for an article on trailspace.com about safe water crossings.   

Below are pictures of the bridge and the creek at low water level in 2004 as well as a picture of the foundations where the bridge used to be and the rope that is across the creek.

Work on replacement of the bridge over West Canada Creek is expected to begin this fall and be completed by Summer, 2012.

                   Looking downstream from bridge                                West Canada Creek Bridge  - 2004                                    Looking upstream at bridge
         Remnants of older bridge lost in 2001 on left                                                                                                                                                2004
Note stepping stones and shallower water downstream

     

                                                                        West Canada Creek Rope Across                         West Canada Creek - May, 2011
                                                                                                                                                                                  Bridge is gone

         

The new Foothills Chapter of ADK, led by Jodi Rothmeyer, Chapter Chair, are the new trail stewards from the West Canada Creek lean-to to the Sucker Brook Trail intersection.  This section hasn’t had a trail steward for years and is badly in need of work.  Four members of the Foothills Chapter - Shawn Neese, Justin Thalheimer, Brenda and Scott Hammons - visited this section in June, 2011 to clear trail and assess future trail work needs. 

Here is Shawn"s report:  "1st I'd like to let you know that it was beautiful out there and certainly worth the trek. We accomplished a lot of work but certainly there is more to be done this summer and then to discuss future projects. We did a loop trip Fri -Sun. We went in Trail 42 to Cedar Lakes Dam (AKA - "Sled Harbor or Pillsbury Trail"). I know it isn't our trail but I will make mention that we parked at Sled Harbor and walked the 1.5 miles to the Pillsbury trailhead. If you have a truck than maybe you can get in. (Note: the DEC Forester for the area indicated that the road from Sled Harbor to Spruce Lake is closed and the road from Sled Harbor to Pillsbury Mt. trailhead parking area is very rough) The first 1.5 miles of Trail 42 has significant washout and would be difficult to navigate in the dark. The remainder of that trail was good. We camped near Cedar Lakes Dam.  The NPTrail from Cedar Lakes Dam to the bridge over the outlet from Beaver Pond was in good condition, blowdown is cleared. The bridge itself is leaning and needs work (See pictures and info below in another section description).  All blowdown was cleared from here to Mud Creek.  We encountered some muddy sections with old rotten foot bridges but we were able to easily pass through. Crossing Mud Creek was an easy wade about 6 inches or you can cross on the telephone poles that are there for the new bridge. I found them to be slippery in the rain. The reroute around West Lake was flooded and a little more challenging to cross but able to rock hop. This is the section in which we grew tired and there is still some blowdown between West and South lakes plus the trail is very over grown in places needing sidecutting.  We plan our next trip early August to finish this area. The West Canada creek was about 8-10 inched deep and easy to cross since a rope was placed over the creek by Sheryl Wheeler's crew just a week prior to her breaking the assisted speed record. The South Lake area looked pretty good some muddy / boggy areas at each end of the South Lake Outlet bridge could use some work. At the end of South lake the trail splits and neither one has a marker. The left goes to the trail and the right goes to the leanto when hiking southbound. Further down the trail splits again with NPT going straight and the French Louie trail to the left. There isn't a sign and that would be helpful. Also there was a lot of bagged garbage at West Lake #1 leanto. It was all wet and we couldn't bring it out but plan to bring extra bags in next trip."






As Shawn mentioned above, one major issue in this section is that both approaches to the South Lake outlet bridge are under water and/or mud. These areas have been ignored for years and are badly in need of work to avoid further trail deterioration. There is beaver activity in this area with the approaches being partially under water most of the time. The bridge itself is in excellent shape and holding up very well.  This is a major project we hope to tackle in 2012, but probably won’t get to in 2011.  As this is only 4/10 of a mile from the West Canada Creek Bridge that will be replaced, we hope that left over materials from the previous bridge that washed away this year and the new bridge will be available to build bog bridging here.



It has been reported by several hikers following hurricane Irene that the West Canada Lakes area has a lot of recent blowdown.  Expect a tough hike through this section of the trail until the trail stewards can get back in.  The Foothills Chapter of ADK has been in again since hurricane Irene but some larger blowdowns and many wet and muddy areas remain.

Former Caretaker clearing, West Lake to Beaver Pond lean-to - 5.8 miles

Beaver Pond lean-to to Carry lean-to (aka - Cedar River lean-to) - 6.1 miles

The trail immediately beyond the side trail to Beaver Pond lean-to and south of the Beaver Pond Bridge is very wet and muddy and has been every time I have traveled through here. Some boards have been placed in the middle but they are on the ground, muddy, slippery and dangerous. This section needs bog bridging as hikers are now walking around the area creating wide herd paths. Bog bridging is needed to allow the area to restore itself.

Unfortunately, the bridge over the beaver dam between Cedar Lakes and Beaver Pond that the ADK pro-crew worked on several years ago needs work again. It appears a stringer is bad on the Beaver Pond side. Caution is advised crossing this bridge.

The trail from Beaver Pond lean-to until about 1/2 mile north of the Cedar Lakes Dam is in good shape. From an entry in the Beaver Pond lean-to register it appears that a DEC pro-crew recently replaced the roof on the Beaver Pond lean-to and brushed-out and cleared trail in this area to the north.

From about 1/2 mile north of the Cedar Lakes Dam for about 3 miles the trail is overgrown and in need of brushing-out and blow-down removal. This section was the focus of another volunteer ADK work party:  "July 4–8: Cedar Lake—Northville Placid Trail, West Canada Lake Wilderness - Four-Day Project: Arrive at base camp for dinner and orientation Monday evening. The Cedar Lake lean-to will be used as a base camp. Participants will sidecut and remove blowdown between Cedar Lake and the Carry Pd. lean-to. This section of trail traverses alongside the headwaters of the Cedar River."

The remaining 2 miles or so to the Carry lean-to (Cedar River lean-to) is in good condition. There is one bridge in this section that was in need of repair. The stringers appear to be in solid shape but some of the decking was rotted and missing. But the trail steward for this section, Bruce Knudsen, has made repairs to the bridge this spring and you shouldn't have any problems getting across it.  Bruce handles the area from the Carry lean-to to Wakely Dam but will also be taking care of the area from Carry lean-to south to the Sucker Brook Trail intersection and the Sucker Brook Trail to the Cedar River across from the Colvin Brook lean-to.   There was some new blowdown following hurricane Irene but Bruce has been in with a chain saw under the waiver from DEC to clear up any new problems.

Carry lean-to to Wakely Dam - 4.3 miles

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Wakely Dam, Cedar River Road to Lake Durant and Route 28/30, Blue Mountain Lake - 12.5 miles

Wakely Dam to Stephens Pond lean-to - 8.8 miles

This section is now relocated into the woods and has eliminated nearly 6 miles of a road walk on Cedar River Road and a crossing of private property at the former McCanes Resort. The section of trail through this private property has now been permanently closed. This new section is entered to the left .7 miles from Wakely Dam and .4 miles past the trail to Wakely Mountain.


The ADK pro-crew under contract with the New York State DEC did a great job installing 7.6 miles of new trail in 2009 including a very nice and sturdy bridge over Browns Brook.  There is a new trail steward for this section from Cedar River Rd. to Browns Brook, NYSOGA, the NY State Outdoor Guides
Assoc., represented by Sonny and Sheila Young.  There are several blowdowns in this section that still need removal as well as several wet areas. 

There also is a new trail steward from Browns Brook to Stephens Pond lean-to, Roy and Geri Monty.  There is an issue in the section from the intersection of this new trail and the old trail 1/2 mile south of Stephens Pond lean-to to the lean-to.  There were at least two or three major wet muddy areas requiring walk-arounds on higher ground. Some bog bridging would help here as well to allow the ground to restore itself and to stop the herd-paths around these areas.  This is a project for 2012.  In the meantime, please do you best to stay on the trail through the mud rather than widening the trail.

Stephens Pond lean-to to Lake Durant and Route 28/30, Blue Mountain Lake - 3.7 miles

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Lake Durant and Route 28/30, Blue Mountain Lake to Route 28N, Long Lake, NY - 14.8 miles

Route 28/30 trailhead to Tirrell Pond lean-to - 4.7 miles

The main issue in this area was about 250+ feet of bog bridging about one mile north of Route 28/30 that was submerged under 6 inches to a foot of mud and water.  The entire section of bog bridging was replaced in early August by a Student Conservation Association trail crew. 

From Zac Ballard, Program Manager, SCA Adirondack Program, "At the site between Tirrell Pond and Lake Durant the crew rehabilitated 250 feet of existing boardwalk that had been summerged, replacing the cribbing and some of the decking.  In addition to this they constructed 126 feet of native timber bog bridging and 80 feet of board walk to fill in gaps within the existing structure and to create a walking surface over submerged/eroded areas alond the trail."

See below pictures.  Awesome Job!!!

                                                                                                                                                                        Tirrell Pond lean-to to height of land - shoulder of Blue Mountain - 5.7 miles

From Salmon Pond road to a former lumber camp clearing 1.8 miles north of the Salmon Pond road intersection there were several blow-downs needing removal and several areas needing brush-out but otherwise quite nice.  We have a new trail steward for the section from Salmon Pond road to Rt. 28N in Long Lake, Gary and Sylvia Vidal.  They have been in several times this year working on shorter sections of their part of the trial.  In general they have been able to clear blowdown and brush the trail out.  There still are some blowdowns and wet and muddy areas.

The guidebook says to follow the blue-marked trail to the right (east) before the clearing.  We found a series of cascading beaver dams in this area with the dams built around pine trees so easy passage on top of the dams wasn't possible.  A better route we discovered would be to take the herd path to the left before the clearing that goes down to the stream below the beaver dam to where there are large rocks that can be used to get to the west side of the stream and ultimately the west side of this clearing.  You will need to bushwhack your way north around the west side of the beaver dam and clearing.  This is higher ground and fairly easy bushwhacking.  When you get to the north end of the clearing do not follow the shoreline but rather continue a bushwhack further north of the clearing before heading east to rejoin the trail.  There is beaver activity and a lot of blow-downs and brush along the north end of the clearing.  Staying in the woods and going further north of this area will make an easier hike back to the trail.  

The hope in the near future is to replace the bridge over the stream.   Our hope is to replace the bridge with one that is two to three feet above the ground.  You would be able to see the bridge in high water situations and remove your boots and hike straight across the clearing up and over the stream and continue on your way without the need for a bushwhack or for the trail to be rerouted.  When there is high water most of the trail is under perhaps 1 to 1 1/2 feet of water at most.  The biggest issue was crossing the stream due to its depth and width. This is a 2012 project.

Height of land to Route 28N trailhead parking - 4.4 miles

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Tarbell Rd. trailhead, Long Lake, NY to Averyville Rd. trailhead, Lake Placid, NY - 35.8 miles

Tarbell Road trailhead to Catlin Bay lean-to - 1.1 miles

This section was cleared of blow-down in May, 2011.  The only issue generally in this section is near the Catlin Bay lean-to that sits on the trail.  There is a beaver dam and pond here and sometimes in high water situations the bog bridging is under water and impassable.  NOTE: As per the picture on the right taken in May, 2011, the bog bridge is out of place and dangerous to cross.  Follow the directions below for the reroute.  

There is a side-trail marked with NPT trail markers that goes to the east (to the left) of this wet area at the top of a hill before getting to this area.  Should the bog bridges be under water backtrack to the top of the hill and take the side-trail that is now on your right that takes you past the beaver dam and across the outlet on large stones below the dam and back to the Catlin Bay lean-to and the trail north.  If you are headed southbound, pass the Catlin Bay lean-to to your right and follow the markers in front of the lean-to and across the stones.  

There is a new trail steward for the section from Tarbell Rd. to Shattuck Clearing, the Cold River Chapter of ADK, represented by Frank Pine.  This section of trail has been maintained since 1984 by the Glens Falls/Saratoga Chapter of ADK who had to give it up this year.  Genny and I along with Paul Weinstein, Vice Chair of the NPTrail Chapter of ADK, joined the Cold River Chapter of ADK on May 15th and 16th and cleared over 80+ trees from the trail over 12 miles of the trail using chain saws.  There is new blowdown that needs clearing and wet and muddy areas.

Catlin Bay lean-to to Kelly Point lean-tos - 3 miles

This area was cleared of blow-downs in May 2011.  There are some areas that still need brushing-out and there are probably new blowdowns after hurricane Irene.  Expect blowdowns and wet and muddy areas.

Kelly Point lean-tos to Plumley Point lean-tos - 3.5 miles

This area was cleared of blow-downs in May 2011.  There are some wet areas but in general a pleasant hiking area.  It still needs brushing out and there are new blowdowns following hurricane Irene.  Expect blowdowns and wet and muddy areas.  Hikers are reporting issues with a re-activated beaver dam before Plumleys.  Here is a photo of the beaver dam by Ike Jutkowski, taken in October, 2011.  He reported that he hiked directly across the top of the dam and found the trail on the other side.  Other hikers have attempted to hike around the impoundment or around the swampy area below the dam.  The best course is to hike across it.

Plumley Point lean-tos to Shattuck Clearing - 4.2 miles

This area also was cleared of blow-downs in May 2011.  There are some wet areas but in general also a pleasant hiking area.  It still needs some brushing out and removal of new blowdowns following hurricane Irene.

At approx. 2.3 miles north of Plumley Point beaver activity has flooded the trail.  The other side of the trail was in sight about 100 yards or so further north, however, the water was well over 6 feet deep and a temporary side-trail reroute of the trail went to the left.  However, the NPTrail was rerouted around this area in 2010 with new trail markers.  This section was cleared of blow-down in May, 2011.  It still needs some brushing out and may need blowdown removal.

Other new beaver activity has been reported north of Plumleys before Shattuck.  Here are photos by Ike Jutkowski of the dam and a resident beaver who really didn't take a liking to Ike walking across his dam.

Shattuck Clearing to Ouluska Pass lean-to - 6.3 miles

There apparently was quite the micro-burst within the last couple of years around Cold River #3 and #4 lean-tos and just south of the suspension bridge over Cold River.  The trail has been officially rerouted around the worst of it and the rest cleared off the trail. 

The trail is generally in great shape.  Expect some blowdowns and wet and muddy areas although the DEC had staff in on this section clearing blowdown with a chain saw following hurricane Irene.  This section of trail, from Shattuck Clearing to Duck Hole, has a trail steward, Gary Koch, who does a great job including caring for the Cold River lean-tos #3 and #4, the Ouluska Pass lean-to and the Seward lean-to.  The Ouluska Pass lean-to suffered foundation damage following hurricane Irene but the lean-to is still usable.

Ouluska Pass lean-to to Duck Hole lean-tos - 5.7 miles

Following hurricane Irene the Ouluska Pass Bridge has apparently experienced even further damage (see photo on the right below by David Saszak from a hike through the area September 2nd through September 5th).  He also reported, "Ouluska Pass lean-to was hit by the flood  I swept sand out of it.  We used it but it has been damaged, shifted some.  Once we got down to Seward Lean-To there was very little sign of damage."  He also posted more photos of damage to the trail south of Duck Hole.  See additional photos below of damage to Ouluska Pass lean-to, sand deposited on the trail, and debris on the trail.

Here are further pictures of the damage taken by Ike Jutkowski in October, 2011.

I'm happy to report that a week after Ike passed over Ouluska Pass Brook a volunteer group managed to clear the debris from the bridge and level it so it can be safely crossed.  It still needs to be moved back to its original location and needs new foundations built.  This is a project for 2012.

Duck Hole lean-tos to Moose Pond lean-to - 3.9 miles

For pictures of Duck Hole and the Duck Hole Dam breach please click here.

It was recently reported by Bob Liseno, the trail steward for Duck Hole to Moose Pond: “Eileen and I hiked into Duck Hole yesterday (September 3rd).  There was very little damage caused by Irene on my section of trail.  Along Roaring Brook there was some debris washed onto the trail and a couple short sections of erosion but nothing major.  We cut out everything below 8 inches that blocked the trail.  There are only about a dozen larger logs across the trail in my section and they are all easy to get over."

Moose Pond lean-to to Wanika Falls - 1.6 miles

The new trail steward for Moose Pond to Peacock Brook is Tom Bebee.  Here is his recent report following hurricane Irene, "Saturday 9/3 - Monday 9/4 - I went in to check on the Moose Pond to Peacock Brook section.  From the Averyville trailhead, there are just a few blowdowns that look recent, but nothing that cannot be negotiated around fairly easy.  The section from Peacock Brook to the Chubb River bridge (new one) has been cleared again and is in good shape.  Any obstructions on the trail are easily stepped over or can be straddled.

Earlier this summer I had cleared about 1 mile from Chubb River bridge south towards Moose Pond.  Bob Liseno was in on his section Saturday (9/3) and emailed me that the section from Chubb River bridge to Moose Pond was in good shape, since he had to hike it to get to his spot.

So as of early September, the Moose Pond to Peacock Brook section should be in fairly good shape. I am going to try and get up there once more before the snow flies to hopefully get some marking done and check out what I can.

Wanika Falls to Averyville trailhead, Lake Placid, NY - 6.5 miles

The bridge just north of Wanika Falls side-trail, which crosses the Chubb River outlet (Known as the "Flume") from the vly between Street and Nye Mountains, had damaged stringers and was dangerous to cross due to the 15+ foot drop to the water and rocks below.  The ADK Pro Crew, under contract with the DEC, replaced this bridge in August, 2011.  Here is a picture by Grace Mandle of the new bridge completed just before they completed their northbound section-hike of the trail.  Here is a picture of the ADK Pro Crew who worked on the bridge, taken by "jerzybears", who was hiking into Duck Hole shortly after the bridge was completed.  Nice job ADK Pro Crew.

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