LOCALadk Magazine

Fall 2016 LOCALadk Magazine 2 LOCALadk In addition to conserving the natural resources of the Adiron- dacks, in recent years one of the priorities of the DEC has been to connect Adirondack communities to the Forest Preserve and ensure the Forest Preserve is an asset to local economies. The success of this effort is reflected in the challenges devel- oped by communities such as the Cranberry Lake 50, the Saranac Lake 6er, the Tupper Lake Triads, Chester Challenge and others, and the increased use of these and other trails across the Ad- irondacks. Some trails have been negatively impacted by this in- creased use, but this impact can certainly be minimized. DEC has taken steps to address some of the problems associat- ed with increased usage including installing additional pit privies and outhouses. Erosion is one of the biggest enemies of trails. Poor trail design and increased use contribute to erosion. Trails oriented perpendicular to the slope allow torrents of water to carve trenches during heavy rains. Trails through low, wet areas can become mires of mud. DEC is designing trails and trail reroutes to effectively accommo- date increased traffic. These methods include building switch- backs, sweeping turns, and circling around the mountains. Water bars and swales move water off the trails and reduce erosion. Coney Mountain, Goodnow Mountain, Moxham Mountain and OK Slip Falls have trails that now withstand high usage without significant impact. Following are best practices in trail design: • Steep and heavily eroded sections of trail have been rede- signed with switchbacks. • Trails through wet areas have been rerouted over dry, hard soils such as the recently rerouted lower section of the Hurri- cane Mountain Trail. • Turnpiking uses rocks and mineral soil to make a section of the trail higher than the surrounding wet and muddy soils. The raised turnpike sheds water and provides a hard, durable sur- face to hike on rather than the higher surrounding ground and its saturated soils. These structures have been built on trails around Marcy Dam. • Trail ditching or cross drains are used to channel water effi- ciently across the trail in wet areas • Rock stepping stones can be used on wet or steep sections of trails. Hikers can use the stones which prevents erosion and trampling of vegetation adjacent to the trail. • At small stream crossings, stepping stones harden the stream banks and create a path for safe crossing What can you do to minimize your impacts on natural resources when hiking? Wear proper hiking footwear with good rubber soles and a robust tread so you can remain on trails no matter the conditions. Avoid trampling vegetation, widening and further eroding trails by: Staying in the center of the trail except to allow others to pass. Walking through – not around – wet and muddy areas on trails. Step over – rather than walking around – blowdown when possible. Using bog bridging, turnpikes and stepping stones when present. Heed the "Muddy Trail Advisory" and avoid higher elevations, steep trails in the spring. During the winter and spring, carry crampons or other traction de- vices to remain on the trail when ice is present. Avoid walking on sensitive alpine vegetation and re-vegetated ar- eas on summits. Hike on marked trails or bare rock. Volunteer to maintain trails. You, too, can construct water bars, bog bridging and other features that make trails more sustainable. DEC Forest Rangers, Assistant Forest Rangers and Backcountry Caretakers, as well as the Summit Stewards and Backcountry Stewards educate people recreating on the lands and waters of the Adirondacks about how to minimize impact on the natural resources. Listen to them, learn procedures, and follow their di- rection. A shining example of how greater usage doesn't result in greater impact are the alpine summits of the High Peaks. There is sig- nificantly greater use on summits, but through the combined efforts of the DEC and its partners, there are more areas with unique and sensitive vegetation than there were 40 years ago. Greater Use Doesn't Need To Equate To Greater Impacts A message from the Department of Environmental Conservation

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