New York officials recently said that Avalanche Pass in the Adirondacks could reopen in time for this winter. It turns out that reopening is happening much, much sooner.
New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) officials announced today that the popular Avalanche Pass Trail in the High Peaks Wilderness that has been closed since July 2025 because of damage from mudslides is officially reopened.
Officials said that while the trail is reopened, work is ongoing.
Last summer, heavy rains caused multiple mudslides in the Avalanche Pass area of the Adirondacks. The area affected by the slides has been closed since then.
Impacted routes included the passage south to the Lake Colden area from the Adirondak Loj, and loop routes over Algonquin Peak, Mount Colden, and Mount Marcy back to the Adirondak Loj through Avalanche Pass.
“DEC Region 5 is proud of our staff, contractors, and volunteers who have worked tirelessly and strategically to allow us to reopen the trail earlier than anticipated,” said Region 5 Regional Director Joe Zalewski. “DEC staff are just as eager as the public is to get back out there to hike and ski. We are excited to announce the reopening, but there is still work to be done. Thanks in advance to the hikers for respecting the trail crews, volunteers, and equipment they may encounter during the fall season.”
Avalanche Pass is an iconic and popular hike, ski, and snowshoe adventure in the High Peaks Wilderness Area. The pass connects Marcy Dam to Lake Colden through a nearly two-mile stretch of narrow ravine. On the western shore of Avalanche Lake, trail users must traverse narrow wooden platforms, known as Hitch-Up Matilda’s, that skirt the lake and cling to a sheer rock face.
This spring, DEC staff navigated the debris to lay out the trail work in preparation for trail crews. Since then, professional and volunteer teams from DEC, the Student Conservation Association, Adirondack Mountain Club, and Adirondack 46ers have replaced displaced rock and soil to stabilize the trail surface; installed essential drainages to divert overflow water away from campsites; and, completed span and bog bridges, stone steps, and more.
Officials said the work is designed with sustainability in mind to withstand heavy use and extreme weather, while protecting the natural area.
The work to reroute and repair the pass and surrounding areas is expected to continue through 2027.
