Adirondacks, New York — While a landslide may not be seen as a celebratory event, skiers are rejoicing. This comes after one ripped through a popular hiking trail in the Adirondacks this week, reshaping the landscape in the process.
Yesterday, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced that the Avalanche Pass trail will be closed indefinitely due to the severe damage it suffered from heavy rainstorms. Fittingly, the closure is the result of mud and rockslides caused by recent heavy rain (Alanis Morissette would probably refer to that as ironic, don’t you think?). The part of the trail that closed is located between the junction of the trail leading to Lake Arnold and the southern end of Avalanche Lake. There is an alternative route to reach Lake Arnold. However, the trail conditions are described as muddy and unstable from the impact of the landslide.
While Avalanche Pass is regarded as a memorable hike, it is also a popular destination during the winter months. Described by the Adirondack Explorer as “the classic ski tour in the Adirondack Park,” it’s a mix of steep terrain, snow, ice, and classic Northeast tight turns. In the book Best Backcountry Skiing In The Northeast, David Goodman describes the Avalanche Pass and Lake Colden ski tour as “one of the most spectacular ski tours in the Eastern United States.” Skiers eagerly anticipate the landslide’s potential to offer new lines during the winter.
So, while it may be a bummer for hikers, skiers will be enjoying this new setup in the years to follow. The landslide has created unexpected opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts.
Image Credits: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Phil Brown
