Ed Babcock of White Plains, left, and Jeremiah Berman of Rochester hike in the col between Little Haystack Mountain, in view behind them, and the 4,960-foot summit of Mount Haystack, the state’s third highest mountain, in June 2017. The 4,827-foot summit of Basin Mountain, the state’s ninth highest mountain, is in view behind at right. Hikers of these mountains often start at the Garden trailhead in Keene Valley. (Enterprise photo — Antonio Olivero)

KEENE — The town of Keene has announced that the Garden parking lot in Keen Valley, which provides access to the High Peaks through the Johns Brook Valley, will be closed for the summer hiking season due to road work.

This summer, all parking will be directed to Marcy Field as the town repairs a bridge.

“The town is working closely with the DEC (state Department of Environmental Conservation) and Adirondack Mountain Club to help inform hikers and provide them with access in spite of the temporary closure. The town recognizes that this is a major disruption during the nicest hiking weather, but the bridge replacement is critical,” a statement on the town’s website says. “Please respect the closure and don’t park or walk on private property to gain hiking access. Illegally parked cars will be towed. Town Employees and DEC Rangers will monitor the lot during the week.”

The town owns and operates the lot, requiring a daily fee for parking. For many years, overflow parking has been directed to Marcy Field, and a town van transports hikers from there to the Garden, again for a fee.

The shuttle will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day for a cost of $10 per person, or $13 Canadian.

The town also warned there may be issues if it can’t find enough bus drivers. It said anyone with a clean driving record and commercial driver’s license should contact the town supervisor regarding employment.