The reopening was formally announced by the state Department of Environmental Conservation Friday morning, with reports posted to the Adirondack Trail Conditions Facebook group noting that the parking lot barriers were removed on Thursday.

The 3.2-mile trail was closed on June 6 after several groups had reported seeing a moose in close proximity to the hiking trail. There were no injuries as a result, though the trail was quickly shut down then by the DEC — for the safety of hikers and the animal — when it became clear that the moose was lingering in the same area.

Using trail cameras and site visits, wildlife experts with the DEC and Cornell University began regular observations of the bull moose, which they estimated to be about 4 years old. Subsequent study showed that the moose was not foraging normally, and it became increasingly emaciated and lethargic. On Aug. 6, officials euthanized the moose following a “significant decline in its health” from when they first started observing it. More information on that decision can be found at tinyurl.com/yn5d9v4t.

“Following a thorough assessment, DEC experts made the difficult decision to euthanize the moose due to its deteriorating condition and low likelihood of survival. DEC’s priority is always the well-being of wildlife and public safety,” DEC fish and wildlife director Jacqueline Lendrum said in an Aug. 7 statement. “While we never take such actions lightly, humane euthanasia is sometimes the most responsible course of action. In addition, information gathered from this animal will help DEC better understand and manage moose in New York.”

The trailhead for Goodman Mounatin, along with signage commemorating Andrew Goodman — who the mountain was named after — is seen on Friday in Tupper Lake. The trail reopened to the public after more than two months of closure due to an ailing moose that was remaining stationary along the hiking trail. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)

The DEC performed a necropsy on the moose to figure out what led to its abnormal behavior over the past few months. In its Aug. 7 statement, the agency said it intends to share that information as it becomes available. A DEC spokesperson wrote on Friday that those results are not complete yet.

The trail remained closed following the euthanasia, with DEC forest rangers patrolling and concrete barriers stretching across the parking lot to prevent cars from parking there. The DEC said wildlife officials needed some additional time to study the area that the moose occupied along the trail.

When asked what this additional study consisted of and why it required continued trail closure to the public, a DEC spokesperson referred to the Aug. 7 statement: “In the short term, the Goodman Mountain Trail will remain closed while DEC completes a study of the area to fully evaluate evidence of the foraging behavior and habitat range of this animal.”

Goodman Mountain is part of the “Tupper Lake Hiking Triad,” a challenge maintained by the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism. Hikers can document their climbs and receive a patch and sticker upon completion. The other two peaks — which are both around 2 miles round-trip — are Mount Arab, in the adjacent town of Piercefield, and Coney Mountain, located about one mile south of Goodman Mountain along state Route 30. More information on the triad can be found at tinyurl.com/52j7j9n2.

The parking lot for the trail to Goodman Mountain is seen in Tupper Lake on Friday. Concrete barriers had been in place here since early June, as the trail was closed to the public. The barriers were removed on Thursday, and the DEC formally announced the trail was reopened on Friday. (Enterprise photo — Chris Gaige)