DEC To Move Three Trailheads For Columbus Day Weekend

The NYS DEC is anticipating high traffic at three Adirondack trials, and will temporarily relocate the trailheads and parking.

Hikers visiting Cascade Mountain, Porter Mountain and Pitchoff Mountain West trails will be relocated to the Olympic Regional Development Authority's Mt. Van Hoevenberg Sports Complex, just over a mile west of the current trailhead.

Starting at dusk on October 5, through dusk on Monday October 9, pulloffs along Rt. 73 will be closed to parking.

Hikers planning to climb Cascade or Porter mountains can park in parking lots at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Sports Complex for free. Volunteers will direct hikers to a 2-mile marked route on the complex's cross-country ski trail system.

The connector trail joins the Cascade Mountain Trail just under a mile from the current trailhead. A round trip hike to the summit of Cascade Mountain will be 8.6 miles long, an addition of 3.8 miles to the round trip from the current trailhead.

If you want to climb the summit of Pitchoff Mountain, you'll start on the same route across the complex's cross-country ski trail system. After 1.7 miles, the route to Pitchoff Mountain leaves the ski trail and crosses a private driveway to State Route 73.

Hikers will then cross State Route 73 to the current trailhead for the Pitchoff Mountain Trail. A round trip hike to the summit of Pitchoff Mountain will be 8.4 miles long, an addition of 4.4 miles to the round trip from the current trailhead.

In addition to a safer place to park, the DEC Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex at 220 Bobsled Lane, Lake Placid, NY, will provide hikers with other amenities not available at the current trailhead, including bathrooms and food and drink.

The concession at the Cross Country Lodge is open 11:00 am to 4:30 pm daily. Visitors can also enjoy bobsled ride, mountain biking, or a bus tour of the complex.

Will you be hiking this Columbus Day weekend?

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