Your ADKTrailMap.com Adventure will be an experience to treasure!

Whether you have hiking experience across the world or just in your backyard, there are an abundance of foot trails in the Adirondacks that will fit your interests and skill levels. To make the most out of your Adirondacks experience, we here at ADKTrailMap.com have assembled a guide to help you experience a safe and enjoyable journey while in the Adirondack Mountains. With content specific to the hiking trails in the Adirondacks, this guide provides info for hikers of all levels of availability. Whether you plan to summit a high peak or take a leisurely stroll around Gull Lake, remember to review this guide as you pack for your trip and before you begin your hike out on the trails.

Although the vast majority of hikes go off without a hitch, preparation is critical to know what to do and have the supplies you need when something doesn't go as planned. Don't think anything will happen to you? The fact is that over 300 people require DEC Forest Ranger assistance every year. ( http://www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/43084.html ) Be Prepared.

The first stop for planning any hiking trip to New York's Adirondack Mountains should be to ADKTrailMap.com. From here you can plan your route by browsing the map; seeing where to park; searching trails by trail type, level of difficulty, distance, and/or name; and exploring an array of other outdoor recreation activities.

ADKTrailMap.com is also available on mobile devices with limited features. For full functionality on smartphones, download our free 'Adirondack Trails' app from the either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Before You Start Hiking

Safety

• Tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Check the weather.
  • If planning to summit a high peak, visit the NWS Burlington 'Mountain Forecast.' Weather at peaks is often quite different from lower ground: colder, windier, and rapidly changing.
  • Know what to do in the event of hazardous weather, particularly lightning
• Check latest DEC updates for info about the trails.
  • The DEC provides updates to alert you of any abnormal trail conditions: http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html
• Know when it's going to get dark.
  • Have a plan to turn around by a certain time to avoid unplanned night hiking based on the duration of your hike, allowing for cushion time.
  • Use the US Naval Observatory's ???Complete sun and moon data for one day??? to get precise sunset and 'last light' times: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/RS_OneDay.php

Equipment

To ensure a positive experience, PRIOR to leaving, use our helpful checklist to make sure no stone is left unturned when packing for the trip.

• WATER
  • 1 liter per 4 miles is a general rule ??? this varies by person's fitness level
  • bring water purification tablets or a filter if back country camping
  • pack extra water in the car for when you return
• FOOD
• EXTRA CLOTHING (non-cotton)
  • dress in layers
  • when cotton becomes wet, it looses its insulating properties, which can contribute to hypothermia, even in mild temperatures.
• HEADLIGHTS and/or FLASHLIGHTS
  • check that they work before heading out
  • bring extra batteries
• FIRST AID SUPPLIES
• MATCHES (waterproof) / CANDLES / LIGHTER
• TOOLS / REPAIR KITS
• EMERGENCY SHELTER
  • at a minimum, a garbage bag or poncho would suffice to help stay dry in the event of a sudden downpour
• SUN PROTECTION
  • sunscreen
  • hat
  • sunglasses
• BUG REPELLENT
• MAPS / COMPASS / ADIRONDACK TRAILS PHONE APP

When Out on the Trails

In case of any emergency know the DEC Forest Ranger Adirondacks Emergency Phone Line: 518-891-0235

If you have cell service in the Adirondacks, dialing 911 may direct you to a 911 Dispatcher in a neighboring county or potentially even Vermont. If for any reason a 911 Dispatcher can not assist you, dial the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Phone Line. DEC Forest Rangers are highly trained emergency responders knowledgeable of the geography and subtleties of the Adirondack Mountains.

Stay on the trail

• Follow your Adirondack Trails app with GPS enabled, however defer to the marked trail. DEC-maintained trails are indicated which are indicated by colored disk blazes, such as the yellow blaze at right
• Walk through, not around mud and puddles
  • Walking off trail or around puddles erodes the land and damages vegetation
• Do not create switchbacks, as these can further contribute to erosion
• When you reach a summit, stay along marked trails if symbolized by cairns (usually a pile of stones)
  • Several summits in the Adirondacks are not naturally ???bald??? and are only this way because of human disturbance.
  • Alpine vegetation is extremely fragile, and much of the vegetation you see at high peaks summits is regrowth thanks to the efforts of ecologists and alpine stewards. Please do not disrupt the progress of regrowth by staying on marked trails and not walking on alpine vegetation.
• Yield to oncoming hikers
• Be mindful of hikers behind you and allow them to pass

Hike responsibly

• When it comes to anything you bring with you on the trails, remember: ???Pack-in, pack-out,??? even if the items are biodegradable
• If there are no privies available, dispose of human waste by digging a 6??? ??? 8??? hole at least 150 feet from water or campsites.
  • Although it may seem unorthodox, consider packing out human waste as well if you have the proper equipment.
• Follow the Leave No Trace principles:
  1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
  2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  3. Dispose of Waste Properly
  4. Leave What You Find
  5. Minimize Campfire Impacts
  6. Respect Wildlife
  7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors ( © Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics )