The trail to the summit of Owls Head in the Adirondacks is now closed to the public during weekends, and will be completely closed to the public at the end of the season.
Officials with New York’s Department of Environmental Conservation say landowners have decided to close the Owl’s Head Trail – which is almost entirely on private land – on weekends.
A large number of vehicles reportedly parked on the private road during Memorial Day weekend, blocking access for the landowners.
The landowners are now prohibiting public access to park on the private road between 4 p.m. on Friday and 7 a.m. on Monday. Signs informing visitors about the closure have been posted along the road.
The trail to the summit of Owls Head is not an official DEC trail nor does DEC have an easement for public use on the trail – the landowner has allowed the public to use the trail. However, the landowner has informed DEC the trail will be closed for public use at the end of this hiking season.
DEC is in the process of identifying an alternate trail route on Forest Preserve lands from the Molly Nye Road on the opposite side of the mountain, and will pursue an amendment to the High Peaks Wilderness Unit Management Plan which would be necessary to facilitate construction of a new trailhead and trail.