Conditions in mid-late June

[LouTheMeXiKaN]

Hello All! This is my first post. I'm a 22 year old ADK lover that lives in NYC and has been visiting the park every summer since I was 5. I love to hike, I love the beauty and serenity of the park. I feel that my soul belongs to the 'dacks, and someday I will own a house there. Every year I spend time in a small summer community 10 miles SW of Lake George village on 9N called Fourth Lake, just outside Lake Luzerne.

This year, Im coming up the third week of june (16th to 23) with friends of mine. Im in such suspense over what the conditions will be like! Ive never been there so early in the season. I've always been to the park in July/August. My questions are:

1.On account of the large amount of rain that has fallen in late May, will the bugs be horrible that third week of June?

2.My friends and I love to spend time at the lake at night. Will the nighttime be significantly colder than in July, August? Averages say mid 50's. Thats pretty frigid!


Anyone know what to exepct next month? Should I just pray for unseasonable warmth and dry weather to stave of the bugs?

[Keithk]

Hi Lou,

I hope you have a great trip! Only a couple weeks left to wait eh?

1- I think the blackflies will still probably be out then.

2- By the end of June, the night time temps should be leveling off. I would however bring a heavy sweatshirt or a jacket, because you can still get some wild temp fluctuations in the early summer.... well, who am I kidding, you can get some wild temp fluctuations year round up here. But ya, bring a sweatshirt

[LouTheMeXiKaN]

Thanks for the info! Can't wait to hit the high peaks this year. Next up for me will probably be Giant. Iv'e climbed mountains near that one (Big Slide, Gothics, Algonquin, Colden) but never got around to Giant. I've heard good things about the trail. I know that I wont be able to pull the loop around because I'll only have 1 car to work with.

Any suggestions for a challenging climb in the high peaks that will be less trafficked than Giant, Algonquin, etc.?

[Dick]

Hello All! This is my first post. I'm a 22 year old ADK lover that lives in NYC and has been visiting the park every summer since I was 5. I love to hike, I love the beauty and serenity of the park. I feel that my soul belongs to the 'dacks, and someday I will own a house there. Every year I spend time in a small summer community 10 miles SW of Lake George village on 9N called Fourth Lake, just outside Lake Luzerne.

This year, Im coming up the third week of june (16th to 23) with friends of mine. Im in such suspense over what the conditions will be like! Ive never been there so early in the season. I've always been to the park in July/August. My questions are:

1.On account of the large amount of rain that has fallen in late May, will the bugs be horrible that third week of June?

2.My friends and I love to spend time at the lake at night. Will the nighttime be significantly colder than in July, August? Averages say mid 50's. Thats pretty frigid!


Anyone know what to exepct next month? Should I just pray for unseasonable warmth and dry weather to stave of the bugs?

Hi LouTheMexiKan, and welcome to the forum!

Pray for anything you'd like...but prepare for lots of bugs and cool temps. You will hear people say that Adirondack bugs in June are the worst in the world, will eat you alive, etc., and you will hear that the bugs are no big deal, and it's all hype as long as you prepare for them correctly. "Predicted" light years have been heavy and vice-versa. Predicted heavy infestation areas can end up light, and vice-versa. Altitude, wind, sun, time of day, your preparation and body chemistry can all affect how bad it might be. Check the temps for the area you will be staying at. Example: Lake Luzerne lows over the next several days will be in the low low to mid 50's. If you're in the mountains it will be colder. Keep an eye on weather changes on the online sites over the next few weeks. Could be warm, could be cold. Anecdotal evidence for temps and bugs on any given day are less helpful. Just be prepared.

Dick

[drucifer]

Thanks for the info! Can't wait to hit the high peaks this year. Next up for me will probably be Giant. Iv'e climbed mountains near that one (Big Slide, Gothics, Algonquin, Colden) but never got around to Giant. I've heard good things about the trail. I know that I wont be able to pull the loop around because I'll only have 1 car to work with.

Any suggestions for a challenging climb in the high peaks that will be less trafficked than Giant, Algonquin, etc.?

Welcome to the forum Lou.

I cant offer much in the temps area, but as far as the hikes go, I can try to help...

Giant. Yeah. I've done it 2x now. The first on my own and the second with my wife on our honeymoon. From 73, its 3 miles and 3000 ft. Great hike. Excellently maintained trails that are well marked. As I recall, the whole thing up and back took me 6 hours or so. Great views.

Algonquin. Double yeah. Did that(and Wright) from ADK Loj as a day hike. Again, great trails, well marked and maintained. (Thanks to all of you ADKers who are able to do so much trail maintenence...) More spectacular views, but then where arent there???

Unfortunately, both seem to be heavily trodden and I recall seeing a lot of people on each of them. I have a feeling you will run into people wherever you go...

Another great one I hit was the Gothics to Lower Wolfjaw range. It's a long hike as a day trip (for me anyway), but well worth it. Put in at the Garden in Keene Valley and head SW. Looks like a 14-15 mi loop, but WOW. I would head UP from the Gothics side and loop back around. The cables on the South face of Gothics are / were a big help from either direction though. There's a couple leantos in the area if you wanted to make it an overnighter...

I just got home from the Dix range last week. That was a great trip and VERY challenging... Might consider Noonmark or Dial too... They are doable dayhikes on an out and back basis and closer to luzerne than say Algonq and the western areas.

Have a great time and be safe!!!

[LouTheMeXiKaN]

Thanks Drucifer! Your right about the wolfjaw/Gothics loop, what a hike! I did that one in '04, and it was by far the most challenging and exciting hike I've ever done. Mount We went the opposite wasy as you, going DOWN the face of Gothics. What a rush! Mount Colden was another great day hike in the high peaks. Algonquin I've also climbed, though the elevation is definately not porportional to the challenge or the reward. I've never backpacked in the 'dacks, but the Dix Range sounds like a great way to start. I love the idea of climbing in the high peaks without the heavy traffic.

Right now Im counting the days to the 16th, but dreading the bugs that I have a feeling will be out in full force. Either way, you can't stop me from enjoying myself, I just worry that my guests from here in NYC wont be able to handle it.

[AdkWiley]

Welcome lou. Iv'e been out all week and the weekend prior to, expect to deal with mud on the trails due to the large amounts of rain we have been getting recently. Bug are out in force and wont be going anywhere any time soon. Black flies and mosquitoes were pretty bad, The deer flies and horse flies aren't out quite yet but a few were seen. Either way you'll be dealing with bugs so just be readily armed with a good repellent that will work best for you. The weather is pretty unpredictable up here as I'm sure you know. Just a few weeks back we had snow and then a few days later it was in the 80's. Temps latley have been in the 50's at night. I myself enjoy the cool nights as it makes sleeping more comfortable. BUt as everyone has said make sure your prepared and bring a sweatshirt and jacket, and if you think the 50's are frigid bring a hat and gloves and anything else to make your stay more comfortable. enjoy your trip, its just around the corner!

[marzrw]

The bugs will keep you company for sure...That's what keeps the Dacks a slight bit less inhabited...You just have to accept it, deal with it, and enjoy as I'm sure you will...and as ADKWiley says , cool nights are nice.

[Fitz]

Head nets are good when you're in camp and the blackflies are bombing your eyes. I pack a long sleeve shirt and light surgical scrub pants for use in camp. A good supply of cigars will keep them away too. Lots of "bug juice" is a must. The only good thing I can say about blackflies is that they go away at night and they don't bite through clothes. Blackflies are usually dominant and you don't notice the other bugs.

I don't know if it was because he was wearing royal blue, or that they could sense that he hated them so much and gave him "special" attention, but a buddy of mine always had 3-4 times as many flies around him as the rest of us on a trip a couple of years ago.

Observation: Has anyone noticed that black flies "go crazy" when they're swarming around and you make a loud buzzing sound? Fun games at camp.

We usually go up mid-late June. Its been hot and sunny. Also 50 deg days with solid rain. Generally, you can count on warm days and cool nights (and lots of bugs). Fewer people and some nice wildflowers up high are also a plus.

I'll be up the week after you - kill all the flies, ok?

If you want to do Giant and have 2 cars or can hitch, climb Rocky Peak Ridge from Rte 9 and then go on to Giant and down. FANTASTIC! I like the descent to Chapel Pond - more open views.

Have a great hike,

Fitz

[MikeD]

I was just up this past week and I highly recommend that you get some 100% DEET, it is nasty stuff indeed and will melt some plastics. Apply a good coating to shirts, pants, hats, etc (staying away from Nylon) then coat your skin/arms/legs in Deep Woods OFF (29% DEET) I got both at WalMart. The only time I got eaten alive was when I ran out--no kidding---I did not suffer one skeeter or black fly bite until my last day. I think the little f--ers were following me, waiting until I ran out of juice.

I also picked up a PVC rain poncho for $4 that easily paid for itself.

One thing I wished I had, but didn'--was a good pair of gaiters. I saw several guys sporting these and wished I had a pair.