RAY BROOK — Forest rangers with the state Department of Environmental Conservation responded to a large volume of calls across the Adirondacks the past week.

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Cellphones on Gothics

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KEENE — On Oct. 4 at 8:55 p.m., forest rangers responded to a call from a group of five hikers who became lost descending Beaver Meadow Falls trail on the east side of Gothics Mountain. The hikers were cold and concerned about the steep terrain. The group was using cellphones for navigation and light and device batteries were low. At 10:29 p.m., Rangers made contact with the subjects and helped them back to their vehicles. Upon interviewing the subjects, Rangers learned the group started their hike at 4 p.m. with a group of nine but had split up due to different abilities. Rangers verified all nine subjects made it back to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 11:32 p.m.

Gothics Mountain stands at 4,736 feet, making it the tenth tallest peak in New York. Its open summit offers ample views of the High Peaks on clear days, making it a popular destination. The Beaver Meadow Trail is a popular route to Gothics, and surrounding High Peaks.

The trail is accessed from the Adirondack Mountain Reserve in St. Huberts, about three miles south of Keene Valley. The trail becomes narrow as it hugs a tight line on Gothics’ eastern slopes while nearing the col between Gothics and Armstrong mountains. There is little separating the path from, in places, steep slopes dropping 1,000 feet. This enhances the risk of navigation without light, as a fall in certain sections could result in an uncontrollable slide, resulting in potential injury or death.

Hikers should never rely on cellphones for light and/or navigation, especially in areas of such hazardous terrain. While phones can be useful, in the wilderness they can lose their charge quickly, especially in cold or damp conditions. A headlamp or other light source is a necessity. By affixing the light to one’s head, hikers have free use of their arms.

Hikers also lose potential stability by holding on to a phone for light, as many sections of trail require hikers to use their hands to support themselves. It is important to have a map of the area and compass and know how to use them. Phones, even if maintaining a battery charge, are often unable to provide GPS navigation, due to spotty coverage in the woods.

Hikers should also be mindful of their starting time, as well as the sunset time, as the days become progressively shorter during the fall. It can also become too dark to navigate without a light source in the woods well ahead of sunset, especially on cloudy days.

Hiking in the dark presents additional risks that hikers should consider, even when properly equipped. Starting at 4 p.m. all but guaranteed this group, which did not have proper lighting, would be hiking in the dark, given the trail’s length.

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Bog debacle

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BLACK BROOK — On Oct. 4 at 2:49 p.m., Clinton County requested forest ranger assistance with an injured person in the Silver Lake Bog Preserve. Forest rangers Corenne Black, Gregory Bowler and Patrick Odell worked with the AuSable Forks Volunteer Fire Department to carry the 70-year-old from Cadyville back to the trailhead where she was met by an ambulance. Resources were clear at 6:05 p.m.

The Silver Lake Bog Preserve is a 98-acre property that is open to the public through an easement.

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Lake Arnold Trail

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NORTH ELBA — On Oct. 5 at 6 p.m., Forest Rangers Corenne Black and Hannah O’Connor responded to a call for a hiker in distress on the Lake Arnold Trail. The hiker was experiencing weakness and could not continue with her group. Rangers reached the 20-year-old from Spencertown and helped her back to the trailhead to reunite with hiking partners. Resources were clear at 9:07 p.m.

The Lake Arnold Trail is a popular access route to Mount Colden, and surrounding High Peaks. The trail cuts through the middle of the High Peaks Wilderness as it makes its way between the shoulders of Mount Marcy and Mount Colden. It is commonly accessed from the Adirondak Loj trailhead.

It is important to train for a hike prior to attempting a High Peak. Starting with easier hikes and working up to the High Peaks is encouraged. If a hiker realizes the hike is more than they can handle, they should turn around and try again another day rather than pushing limits and needing to call for a rescue.

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Pyramid Peak

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KEENE — On Oct. 5 at 6:04 p.m., Forest Ranger Jenna Curcio responded to a call for a subject with extreme cramping on Pyramid Peak. A total of 10 rangers responded to the carry-out mission for the 52-year-old from Mount Vernon. Rangers used a wheeled litter to bring the subject down to the Adirondack Mountain Reserve parking area where an ambulance transported him to the hospital. Resources were clear at 3:41 a.m.

Pyramid Peak stands at 4,597 feet. Even though the mountain meets the minimum elevation requirement of 4,000 feet, it is not a High Peak. In order to qualify, a mountain must also have enough prominence, or separation, from surrounding peaks, although some exceptions to these rules have been made for other High Peaks.

Pyramid is situated too close to the taller Gothics Mountain to qualify, although it is still heavily frequented, with the direct route between Gothics and Sawteeth — both high peaks — traversing over Pyramid Peak. Its steep terrain makes the route a difficult hike and, in this case, likely resulted in the rescue time exceeding nine hours. The DEC encourages hikers to make sure they are hydrated and well-nourished before heading out for an adventure. Hikers should also bring extra food and water.

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Mount Marcy

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NORTH ELBA — On Oct. 5 at 10:36 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker with a foot injury on Mount Marcy. Forest rangers Matthew Adams and Jacob Jansen reached the 27-year-old from St. James who made it to the Marcy Dam outpost. The hiker complained of hip and foot pain. Rangers helped her back to Adirondak Loj where they waited for the rest of her hiking party. The hiker declined further medical treatment. Resources were clear at 12:30 a.m.

Mount Marcy is the tallest peak in New York at 5,344 feet. The summit provides 360-degree views and is an extremely popular destination. The mountain has multiple routes — the most popular of which is the Van Hoevenberg trail, which begins at the Adirondak Loj.

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Back to Marcy Dam

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NORTH ELBA — On Oct. 6 at 2:09 a.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from a hiker with a leg injury near Marcy Dam. Ranger Matthew Adams, who had recently finished helping a hiker with a foot injury at Marcy Dam, went back to help the 22-year-old from Merrick. Adams helped the hiker to the Adirondak Loj. Resources were clear at 3:40 a.m.

Marcy Dam is located approximately two miles from the Adirondak Loj along largely flat terrain, making it a popular destination for those looking for an easier hike or continuing on to nearby High Peaks.

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Split Rock Mountain

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WESTPORT — On Oct. 6 at 2:16 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call from Essex County 911 about a hiker lost on the Split Rock Mountain trail. Forest Ranger Patrick Odell responded to the caller’s coordinates, but the hiker had moved along the trail. Odell later located the 79-year-old from Schenectady and escorted her to the trailhead. Resources were clear at 4:32 p.m.

Split Rock Mountain stands at 1,034 feet. While the summit itself is wooded, outlooks along the trail provide views of Lake Champlain, which the mountain is directly above.

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Allen Mountain

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KEENE — On Oct. 6 at 2:47 p.m., Ray Brook Dispatch received a call about a hiker who had fallen on Allen Mountain, hit his head and was experiencing nausea. Forest Ranger Neilson Snye made contact with the hiking party, who said that despite the injury, the 42-year-old from Delmar was able to walk. At 6:43 p.m., Rangers reached the subject and suspected he had suffered a traumatic brain injury. Rangers helped the hiker walk out to a waiting ambulance. Resources were clear at 9:15 p.m.

Allen Mountain is 4,340 feet tall. It is widely considered to be the most isolated — and one of the most difficult, due to how long it takes to complete — High Peaks, with a total trail distance of about 20 miles. The mountain is typically hiked as an out-and-back route beginning at a trailhead off of the Upper Works Road, in the town of Newcomb. Most of the trail is not officially maintained by the state and is unmarked.

While rangers did not say where along the trail the injury occurred, there are several sections that can be especially slippery for hikers, increasing the risk of a fall. The mile leading to Allen’s summit becomes progressively steeper. There, the route often follows rock slabs that are coated with slippery red algae.

The trail also crosses several streams and rivers, some of which do not have bridges, forcing hikers to wade through the water or “rock hop.” The largest of these bridgeless crossings is the Opalescent River, which can be especially hazardous during periods of high water. Knowing the weather forecast for the hiking period, as well as being aware of conditions over the past several days, are especially important for trails with river crossings.

Hikers should be aware of a trail’s potential hazardous spots, never rush and pay especially close attention during periods of reduced visibility, such as foggy conditions or at night.

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Moose River Plains

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MOREHOUSE — On Oct. 6 at 8:19 p.m., Hamilton County 911 reported an SOS activation along the Brooktrout Lake trail in the Moose River Plains Wild Forest. The hiker had slipped on a wet rock and injured his knee.

At 9:55 p.m., Forest Ranger Gary Miller located the 67-year-old from Rochester, provided warm clothes, built a fire to warm the subject, and requested more Rangers to assist with a carry-out. Rangers David Nally, Jason Scott and Michael Thompson responded in a utility terrain vehicle.

Rangers splinted the subject’s knee and drove him 3.5 miles to the trailhead where they were met by Inlet EMS who then transported the subject to the hospital. Resources were clear at 2:15 a.m.

The Moose River Plains Wild Forest is a 64,322-acre area in western Hamilton and northeastern Herkimer counties.

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Upper Saranac Lake

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SANTA CLARA — On Oct. 7 at 3:32 a.m., Franklin County requested forest ranger assistance with a wildland fire caused by a lightning strike on Bartlett Carry Road, which follows the eastern shore of Upper Saranac Lake.

Three Rangers joined the Tupper Lake Volunteer Fire Department, although the DEC did not name the rangers involved. They used an electric company bucket truck to extinguish the fire on the 55-foot-tall tree. By 7:20 a.m., firefighters and rangers had the fire under control.