HIGH PEAKS Report

May 25 - June 5, 2025

Memorial Day weekend brought a brief return to winter, dropping several inches of snow on the High Peaks — but the reset was short-lived. That snow and ice has since melted off, with only small, persistent patches above 4,500 feet in shaded cols like Basin–Haystack. Everywhere else, it's full-on spring: deep mud, slick rock slabs, flowing runoff, and rising insect activity.

The trail reports this week reflect a transitional zone. Lower elevations are drying out. Mid-elevation trails are saturated but passable. Higher routes remain rugged and demanding — not due to snow, but because of unstable footing, meltwater, and trail damage from a wet spring. This is classic shoulder season in the ADK, and hikers should approach it with awareness, flexibility, and the right gear. -Current Conditions by Mountain or Range

Wolfjaws, Armstrong, Gothics, Sawteeth Minimal bugs when moving, mud in typical high-elevation pockets. Bluebird skies returned this week, and trail felt like early summer. Light blowdown, and isolated snow patches up high. Slick rock throughout; expect poor traction. Still very wet overall.

Algonquin, Iroquois, Wright Snow is gone from trails, but slab sections are holding water and descents remain slow. Trails are muddy with deep runoff. Microspikes not necessary, but footing is technical.

Marcy, Skylight, Gray Van Hoevenberg Trail is a stream above 4,300 feet. Backside toward Skylight still has soft snow with undermelt — dangerous in spots. Snowshoes not needed, but watch for sudden postholing.

Big Slide via Brothers

Highly muddy between Second Brother and the summit, but mostly navigable by rock hopping. Lower trail is in great shape. Creek crossings are flowing but safe.

HaBaSa (Haystack, Basin, Saddleback)

Only between Basin and Haystack area still holds snow. Minimal presence elsewhere. Trails are wet but clear. Saddleback via Orebed reported as muddy but manageable. Descent of the Backside of Basin is very treacherous from the water.

Colvin and Blake

Very muddy beyond the Gill Brook Cut-off. Blake remains steep and slow-going. Conditions improved on the return. Expect fully soaked boots and plenty of muck.

Allen

Very muddy near Sally Lake and on approach. Opalescent River remains stable, but with coming weekend rain, crossing is ill advised. Primary ascending trail is like a river. Upper Allen slabs are steep, wet, and borderline hazardous. Descent is treacherous. Very Long day. Marshall

Herbert Brook Trail is not in terrible condition, however there is still some snow holding about 4000 feet.

Dix Range (Macomb, South Dix, Grace)

Slide is in good shape. Trails between summits are wet to extremely muddy, with blowdown on Lillian Brook herd paths. Navigation is tricky; map strongly recommended. Black flies aggressive.

Nippletop and Dial

Typical spring mud, some blowdown, but snow-free and manageable. Rock slabs are wet but grippy.

Seward Range

Blowdown and soft snow reported above 3,900 feet. Worst issue isn’t the footing — it’s the mosquitoes. Hikers have reported getting absolutely swarmed.

Hurricane

Mostly dry with a few muddy patches and minor flooding near stream crossings. Bug pressure rising toward the summits. Overall, solid low-elevation options right now.

-Weather Outlook and Trail Impact (May 29 – June 5)

Expect up to 2 inches of rain across the region through Saturday, with the bulk falling over the weekend. This will reset trails back into a wet, muddy state just as things were starting to dry. Sunday afternoon could bring brief clearing, but the real weather window opens Monday and Tuesday, with cooler temps and partial sun.

By midweek (Wednesday–Thursday), temperatures are expected to climb into the 70s. That heat, combined with fresh moisture, will create a perfect storm for insect activity. Expect black flies, mosquitoes, and gnats in force. Bug nets, hard shells, and breathable long sleeves are strongly advised — the key is managing heat while staying protected.

Most remaining snow is now isolated above 4,500 feet in shaded pockets. You do not need snowshoes anymore. Traction gear is optional but can be useful on shaded slabs.

Finally, while a DEC advisory is still in place discouraging travel above 2,500 feet due to trail vulnerability, it’s certain that many hikers will continue to head into the High Peaks. If you choose to do so, please be smart about it. Stick to well-traveled routes, avoid widening muddy trails, and do everything you can to preserve fragile alpine terrain as it recovers from a long, wet spring.