A gentle footprint: Treading lightly during the eclipse
April tends to be a quiet season for hikers but this year that’s expected to change given the Adirondack Park is situated within the path of totality for the North American eclipse.
“The eclipse will drive people to the park at a time when we don’t usually see visitation,” said Savannah Dvorak, media coordinator at the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (ROOST).
Regional conservation groups – such as the Adirondack Mountain Club and the Adirondack Council – fear the environmental impact to occur if hikers aren’t advised what trails to take.
Each organization has offered tips on how to best enjoy the eclipse, while treading lightly.
‘Spring Conditions Advisory’
Justine Levine, ADK Council communications associate, said the primary concerns are environmental impacts and hiker safety. He added how spring is a sensitive time for alpine zone ecosystems, making them more susceptible to damage.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) released a recent advisory urging outdoor recreationists to postpone high elevation eclipse-activities due to unstable spring conditions.
With what the National Weather Service called ‘ one of the warmest winters on record’, current trail conditions are typically encountered in late-March to midApril. DEC officials advised April hikers to prepare for thinner snowpack on trails, deteriorating and variable depth snow alongside and off-trail, poor quality ice, slippery trails, and high-water crossings.
“As snow and ice continue to melt at high elevations, steep trails can pose a serious danger to hikers,” cautioned DEC Assistant Public Information Officer, Todd Pignataro. “Low-elevation trails require alertness too.”
The advisory noted backcountry streams are susceptible to flooding due to the combination of high elevation melting snow and spring rainfall. The statement directed hikers against crossing streams of fast-moving water, so as to avoid hypothermia.
Forest rangers recently led three arduous rescues in the high elevations of the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness Complex.
“With the lack of a true North Country winter and a marginal snowpack, trails in the High Peaks Region are proving difficult to navigate,” Forest Ranger Director John Solan said, in the statement. “Over the last couple of weeks, forest rangers were busy responding to numerous backcountry rescues due to icy conditions. Trail conditions will continue to decline as spring weather prevails and April approaches.”
Mud season
Each spring the DEC conducts outreach on backcountry safety, advising users to stay off high elevation trails while educating visitors of the varying conditions and sensitive ecosystems.
According to Pignataro, visitors who hike in wet, muddy sections of the trail can damage and widen trails and the associated environment.
“Typically, ecosystems above 2,500 feet are more fragile than lower ecosystems because they endure shorter growing seasons and harsher growing conditions,” Pignataro added. “Such terrain can result in increased injuries and rescues on trails. Early April marks the end of winter and the start of mud season; that’s when things get trickier.”
ADK Mountain Club Director of Communications Benjamin Brosseau said hiking conditions vary not only by elevation but also by region in the park.
“Right now, most trailheads are free of snow and presenting a mix of mud and ice conditions,” he said. “Above 2500 feet, you’re likely to encounter several feet of snow, deep mud, and flooded trails. These backcountry conditions will likely persist well into May, especially if we get additional snowfall. Whether it’s unstable footing caused by ice and rotting snow, or sudden shifts in weather at higher elevations, there are many safety concerns during mud season. One need only look at last week’s double-rescue in the Great Range to understand the risks involved.”
Levine agreed current trail conditions aren’t trustworthy. He said there is no lake or pond ice is safe for foot traffic, predicting that there will only be pockets of ice at the higher elevations during the eclipse.
“The Council, along with other groups like ROOST and the ADK Mountain Club, have continued and will continue to push hiker education in the leadup to the eclipse,” Levine reiterated. “We hope people will use their best judgment and watch the eclipse from an Adirondack community so that our natural resources are protected at one of the most sensitive times of year.”
Environmental impact
The ADK Mountain Club employs a team of summit stewards that research the park’s alpine zone – the region between the tree line and the snowline. Two years ago, they conducted a study looking at the effects of climate change on high-altitude vegetation.
“The alpine zone depends on winter weather,” Brousseau said. “The vegetation includes tundra plants, remnants from the Ice Age, that rely on snow packs. As we experience warmer winters, with less snow, our stewards fear what may happen to the alpine ecosystem.”
Levine urged guests to obey proper hiking etiquette, remaining on bare rock in areas void of snow coverage. “If muddy spots are encountered the standard practice is to walk straight through, to avoid widening the trail and damaging the surrounding area,” he said.
When asked about the most effective mitigation technique, Levine argued its education.
“It’s important to tread lightly during mud season because the mountain topography has very thin soils that are easily susceptible to erosion, even by hikers’ footsteps,” Levine said. “The higher elevations are home to delicate and rare alpine vegetation that can be irreparably damaged. By educating the public, prior to the eclipse, we hope to avoid such destruction.”
The DEC’s advisory explained how current compacted ice was rotten, slippery and not able to reliably support weight. These conditions, known as monorails, are prone to post-holing which rob hikers of their mobility.
“Avoiding high elevation trails helps reduce erosion on and alongside trails while protecting alpine vegetation,” Pignataro said. “Proper footwear and clothing, such as sturdy boots with gaiters and traction devices, allows hikers to remain on the trail more comfortably despite muddy conditions.”
Hiker safety
The DEC encourages outdoor enthusiasts to follow the Hiker Responsibility Code, practice Leave No Trace principles, and avoid high-elevation trails.
Those headed to State Forests or Forest Preserve lands for the eclipse must observe the following safety rules:
● Check weather before entering the woods - if the weather is poor, postpone
● Be aware of changing weather conditions - if the weather worsens, head out of the woods
● Dress properly in layers made of wool, fleece, and other materials that wick moisture (not cotton): a wool or fleece hat, gloves or mittens, wind/rain resistant outerwear, and winter boots.
● Carry plenty of food and water. Eat, drink and rest often. Being tired, hungry or dehydrated makes you more susceptible to hypothermia.
● Know the terrain and your physical capabilities - it takes more time and energy to travel through mixed conditions.
● Never travel alone and always inform someone of your intended route and return time.
The DEC partnered with government officials to study the after-effects of the August 2017 eclipse, creating a multiagency task force.
“There will be guidance provided to hikers eager to get outside after a long winter but unaware of the proper planning involved,” Pignataro assured.
Front-country alternatives
The DEC curated a list of alternative sites that offer vantage points for the April eclipse.
Olympic sites in Lake Placid, like the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval and Whiteface Mountain, are hosting eclipse events. In Tupper Lake, the Wild Center is also offering a free celebration with solar-powered maple tasting.
The L.P. Quimm Elementary School is holding a viewing party along with the Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center, which will open its 25 miles of front country trails to outdoor enthusiasts.
The DEC encouraged visitors to attend the “Saranac Lake SolarFest” or catch a view from various fields including Mid’s Park, John Brown Farm, and Marcy Field. Among the list of further suggestions was the Lake Placid Horse Show Grounds, North Elba Athletic Fields and Point Au Roche State Park.
Brosseau said the ADK Mountain Club encourages eclipse seekers to take advantage of local viewing parties. “Attending those is not only safer (and more fun), but it also helps avoid backcountry impacts,” he claimed.
With alpine trails out of the question, Brosseau suggested front country trails instead. Adirondack Rail Trail Association (ARTA) Treasurer Lee Keet confirmed the paths would be open for the eclipse.
“The Adirondack Rail Trail is open from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake and would be appropriate for people hoping to catch a glimpse of the eclipse. It can be accessed at the depot in Saranac Lake or at Fowlers Crossing where route 86 crosses the rail trail just South of the Village of Saranac Lake. There is parking at both locations.”
The ADK Mountain Club is available to help visitors plan their eclipse itineraries online. The Cascade Welcome Center is also open to offer advice and viewing tips, Brosseu conveyed.
“It’s important to tread lightly during mud season because the mountain topography has very thin soils that are easily susceptible to erosion, even by hikers’ footsteps. “The higher elevations are home to delicate and rare alpine vegetation that can be irreparably damaged.
Justine Levine
ADK Council communications associate