DEC advisory reminding the public not to interact with young wildlife (fawns, nestlings, fledglings) as their parents are typically nearby and human interference can harm both animals and people. The advisory covers wildlife care best practices and reminds the public to contact licensed wildlife rehabilitators for injured or orphaned animals.

First-person trip report from May 16, 2026 hiking Big Range and Cross Mountain in the Speculator area. Trail conditions included abundant blowdown and mud in early sections, improving to quieter footpaths; black flies were active in the col between peaks. Summits were unremarkable with open ledges providing views south and west.

Two hikers completed a challenging 8-hour day hike across four remote peaks in the West Canada Lakes Wilderness: Deep Lake Peak, Kitty Cobble, West Lake Peak, and Brooktrout Lake Peak. Trails varied from well-defined to overgrown, with dense woods and steep cliff sections requiring bushwhacking and scrambling. Black flies, deer flies, horse flies, and mosquitoes were abundant throughout the day.

First-time backcountry solo campout at Echo Lake in late September, with a hike in from Platte Clove and bushwhack ascent of Plattekill on the way out. Reporter encountered coyote activity, bear hang requirements, and noted beautiful fall conditions with mostly level terrain and excellent views from the Plattekill lookout.

A comprehensive route guide describing a hike from Platte Clove through Plattekill Mountain to Echo Lake, featuring well-marked trail for most of the journey but with a very difficult bushwhack to a scenic lookout on Plattekill's south side. The route includes exposure hazards, thick mountain laurel, rocky terrain, potential rattlesnake encounters, and a steep descent to Echo Lake backcountry campground.

The Goodman Mountain trail in the Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest near Tupper Lake is temporarily closed by NYS DEC due to an extended presence of a bull moose in the area. The trail is normally a gradual family-friendly hike with good views from the open summit.