Trail Conditions Forum

Mud? Ice? High water at stream crossings?

This is the place to let the trail community know what you encountered, where and when (be as precise as possible). Suggestion: Make the trail or park name your subject.

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PVPatrick's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/03/2011 - 9:55am
Good advice.  The new trail's many steps have become a dangerous ski slope complete with 90 degree turns and sharp dropoffs on the downhill side of the trail since the Dec26 storm.  At one spot about 2/3rds of the way to the top, a stream, when rain swollen, cascades across the trail several yards wide and several inches deep.  On the west side, the "spiral staircase" where the new AT meets the blue connector trail is another example of a dangerous section where the trail disappears and there is a vine across the trail there that could easily garrote a taller hiker.  While many experienced hikers may seek out such challenges, I think that the less savy trail user(and there are many at Bear Mt) may be in for a surprise  Some lessons learned perhaps for future trail relocations.
thegup's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/02/2011 - 7:54am
As a general rule, I stay off BN between the first snow until after the spring run off has dried up, but that's just me. Good luck.
ericmehlenbeck's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/02/2011 - 10:21am
Thanks! Sounds like good advice.
ericmehlenbeck's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 03/01/2011 - 11:00am
Anyone know what the trails are like? Is there ice on the rocks on Breakneck ridge?   Thanks! Eric
jddeller's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/26/2011 - 3:58pm
I was planning a hike from Anthony Wayne parking area to West Mt shelter then on to Timp. Can anyone tell me about snow/mud conditions? Will I need snowshoes or microspikes? Thanks.
Daniel Chazin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/22/2011 - 10:46am
We just got another 8 inches or so of snow in the mountains on Sunday night.  So the A.T. is now covered with snow.  But conditions can change quite rapidly this time of the year.  When are you planning to go on your Philmont training hike?
scope's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/22/2011 - 10:36am
Ramapo Mountain State Forest - Does anyone know if the trailhead on Barbara Drive is open again?  A posting in October 2009 stated that the trailhead would be closed for three months.   Many thanks.
Linda Malkin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/26/2011 - 7:35am
The trailhead is still "officially" closed. However it is very well blazed all the way up accross 287 and beyond. There are pleanty of parking spaces just by the trailhead.
WawayandaEast's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/21/2011 - 5:59pm
        The Terrace Pond North Trail has been directly affected by constuction on the natural gas pipeline right of way. It is posted as closed to hikers in the affected areas. The "pipeline" parking lot on clinton road is also posted closed to parking. The parking area at the trailhead for Terrace Pond South is open. Access to Terrace Pond is available from there. This situation is expected to last into the summer. Check back here for updates.
Daniel Chazin's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/22/2011 - 10:49am
What part of the Terrace Pond North Trail is closed?  Is it still possible to use the Terrace Pond South and Terrace Pond North Trails to make a loop from the parking lot?  Or is the portion of the Terrace Pond North Trail between the parking lot and the pond also closed?  Please clarify.
msedlak's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 04/04/2011 - 11:40am
Terrace Pond North between Clinton Road and Terrace Pond is closed due to current work activity (as observed on 04/02/2011) on the pipeline.  The trail from Clinton Road follows the pipeline for a short distance (~0.1 mile) before veering off South to Terrace Pond. Terrace Pond North between Terrace Pond and Warwick Turnpike is closed due to impending work activity (as observed on 04/02/2011) on the pipeline.  The trail from Terrace Pond follows the pipeline for a short distance (~0.25 mile) before veering off Northeast towards Warwick Turnpike. The outlet of Terrace Pond on the North end of the pond is somewhat inundated ,but currently passable (as observed on 04/02/2011).  Use caution.
scope's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/22/2011 - 11:19am
In addition - are the trails in Wawayanda which cross the pipeline such as the Old Coal Trail and Turkey Ridge trail also closed?
mgrossi's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/20/2011 - 10:36am
I am looking to take 12 Boy Scouts out on the AT in full back to start training for Philmont this summer? Any word on trail conditions?
kviola's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/10/2011 - 10:10pm

hey, was considering a half-dayhike on the AT in Pawling (the 7ish miles from route 22 to NY/CT border) this Sunday Feb 13th. Anyone know what the trail is like/do I need snowshoes? It looks like easy terrain and temps will be approaching 40 degrees, but probably still freezing early morn. Snowshoes recommended? or will I be wading in slush? any insight welcome, thanks.

snacker's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/03/2011 - 7:38pm
Does anybody know how the conditions are at blue mt. lakes for skiing, is it iced over . Thanks for any input.
BrianSnat's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 02/04/2011 - 12:37pm
If you mean Blue Mt Lake in the Adirondacks, I believe they received snow up there rather than the ice we wound up with in the NYC metro area. At least the ski reports for Whiteface and Gore say it was snow. "Keep not standing fixed and rooted, briskly venture, briskly roam" - Goethe
svem175's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 01/22/2011 - 2:50am
Hi, I was just wondering what the conditions were like in the Bear Mountain area trails. I'm considering going up there this weekend. If anyone has any info I'd really appreciate it. I was thinking about doing the Blue/AT trail that leads up to the West Mt. Shelter and then on to the Timp.
PVPatrick's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 01/23/2011 - 9:24am
I was up to the summit and around bear mt saturday afternoon. There is generally deep powdery drifted snow with some crunchy surfaces depending on angle of the grade. The AT and Maj Welch trails are packed down but slippery going up the Mt from the Inn. I wore Microspikes with no problem. I would guess that the other trails to West Mt and the Timp are likely less traveled and therefore more likely to still be deep powder.
bigfatsmokey's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 01/19/2011 - 12:09pm
I hiked Palisades Interstate Park on Sunday. All trails are covered with about a foot of snow but are navigable--although it's a bit more of a workout. I would not suggest the Forrest View or Giant Stairs trails right now, though, since they are very steep and icey. But the gradual ascents/decents up and down the cliffs are fine.
bigfatsmokey's picture

Submitted by Visitor (not verified) on 01/19/2011 - 12:06pm
Does anybody know if the LongPond Ironworks trailhead near Monksville Reservoir is still plowed in with six feet of snow? I was there on 12/30 and even w/a pickup, I couldn't park at the trailhead. I had to park near the ice fishing area and walk 1/2 mile along the road (no shoulder) to reach the trail head. If there's a foot of snow or less, that's okay. But the plow mound was too much.