The High Peaks are seen from the Adirondack Loj Road in Lake Placid. (Enterprise photo — Andy Flynn)

LAKE PLACID — The state Department of Environmental Conservation Friday issued a high-water advisory for backcountry users in the Adirondack Park, asking hikers to temporarily avoid high-elevation trails and trails that cross streams and rivers.

The advisory came two days after the remnants of Hurricane Beryl swept through the region, dumping more than 4 inches of rain in the High Peaks on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Brooke Taber, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Burlington, Vermont, which caused road damage in towns across Essex County.

DEC officials encouraged hikers to recreate safely and reduce negative impacts on trails to help protect natural resources throughout the Adirondack Park during this time.

While Keene in the northern end of the High Peaks wilderness got 4.65 inches of rain, Newcomb on the southern end got a lesser 2.43 inches.

Saranac Lake saw 2.5 inches of rain. Lake Placid got 2 inches. Tupper Lake saw 3 to 4 inches.

The Moriah and Elizabethtown area, near the shore of Lake Champlain, saw “extensive damage” to its infrastructure, Taber said, after getting nearly 6 inches of rain.

Taber said the amount of rain dropped on an area varied heavily because the weather is “convective,” meaning there’s a lot of vertical movement of heat and moisture, signifying an unstable atmosphere. The storm’s “boundary” line crossed through the area, creating differences in rainfall on if a town was inside or outside that boundary. He also said differences in the terrain can impact the moisture falling from in the air.

Regional waterbodies rose considerably during the storm, which means streams and rivers are running high and fast with strong currents. Hikers are advised to avoid trails that include stream crossings and use all available high-water routes. The DEC warns to not attempt to cross swift-moving streams and rivers.

“Turn back and return another day,” a DEC news release says.

Hikers are being advised to temporarily avoid high-elevation trails because sliding boots destroy trail tread, damage surrounding vegetation and cause washouts by eroding thin soils.

The DEC also said “extremely wet” trail conditions can pose risks to hikers with unstable trail tread and slippery rocks, as well as a risk of hypothermia.

“Hypothermia can occur even in the summer months and especially when very wet conditions are present,” according to the DEC. “Hypothermia occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body temperature.”

This can be avoided by packing extra layers in a waterproof bag, extra socks to keep feet dry and by carrying plenty of food and water. Being tired, hungry, or dehydrated makes hikers more susceptible to hypothermia, according to the state.

The state recommends checking the weather for the day of, night of and day after trips in case of an unexpected overnight.

“Storms can emerge suddenly and quickly in high elevations,” according to the DEC. “Water levels rise rapidly in heavy rains and can become impassable within minutes. Avoid getting caught on the wrong side of a stream and turn back at any signs of changing weather conditions.”

Hikers are advised to check the Adirondack Backcountry Information webpages for updates on trail conditions, seasonal road closures and general recreation information for the Adirondacks, particularly in the wake of the recent flooding.

The HikeSmartNY webpage — https://tinyurl.com/bddt4xxc — has detailed information on safety and preparedness and what to do in case of an emergency in the backcountry.