Adirondack’s Avalanche Pass Buried by Landslide

AVALANCHE PASS, NY – A significant landslide, triggered by downpours around July 13th, has completely destroyed a beloved section of the Avalanche Pass trail in the Adirondack High Peaks. The slide has made the popular route impassable for the foreseeable future, with iconic wooden catwalks known as the "Hitch-Up Matildas" presumed to be destroyed.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) have closed the trail between the junction of the Lake Arnold Trail and the southern end of Avalanche Lake. Hikers are being strongly advised to avoid the area due to the unstable and hazardous conditions.

The dramatic landslide has carved a new, raw scar down the side of Mount Colden, a mountain known for its geological instability. Composed primarily of granite, Mount Colden's steep, cliff-like faces and thin soil make it particularly susceptible to slides, especially after periods of heavy rain. This event is the latest in a history of slides on the mountain, with notable occurrences in 1990, 1999, and 2011.

The closure impacts several popular and classic Adirondack hiking routes, including the passage to the Lake Colden area from the Adirondak Loj and loop routes over Algonquin Peak, Mount Colden, and Mount Marcy. While some of these peaks can still be summited via alternative out-and-back routes, the classic loop experiences are currently not possible. The DEC has suggested an alternate route through Lake Arnold, but warns of extremely wet and muddy conditions.

There have been no reports of injuries or fatalities resulting from the landslide. DEC crews are currently assessing the extensive damage to determine the timeline for trail restoration. Given the scale of the destruction, it is expected to be a long and difficult process.

The Adirondack Mountain Club will continue to provide updates on the status of the Avalanche Pass trail through their respective website. For now, the message to all adventurers is clear: stay away from the slide zone and respect the raw power of the mountains.