Disclosure: This content may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Following a period of intense rainfall in mid-July, a massive landslide has rendered the popular Avalanche Pass Trail closed and impassable.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has closed the trail indefinitely while staff assess the damage and monitor conditions.
Heavy rain — up to five inches in some areas — triggered multiple mud and rock slides across the High Peaks. On July 13, a major slide tore down the north face of Mount Colden, just northeast of Avalanche Lake, stripping away large trees and leaving a wide, debris-filled scar through Avalanche Pass.
Video posted by the DEC shows the scale of the destruction. What used to be a well-trodden passage between the Adirondack Loj and Lake Colden is now buried under tangled trees, rocks, and thick mud.
Specifically, Avalanche Pass trail remains closed from the intersection with Lake Arnold Trail to the southern end of Avalanche Lake. The closure affects multiple high-traffic routes:
-
The direct route from Adirondak Loj to Lake Colden via Avalanche Pass
-
Loop routes over Algonquin, Colden, and Marcy that return via Avalanche Pass
-
The Marcy-Skylight-Gray loop, Cliff and Redfield, and Marshall approaches
-
Any hike that relies on the Upper Lake Arnold Trail to and from Feldspar Bog
While some of these peaks are still accessible as out-and-back hikes, no loop route that includes Avalanche Pass or Upper Lake Arnold Trail is currently viable.
Additional Trail Damage
A second slide occurred on the southeast side of Mount Colden, affecting the Feldspar/Lake Arnold Trail. This slide is less severe, but the trail is still blocked. A short bushwhack around the debris may be possible, but conditions are wet, muddy, and unstable. Caution is strongly advised.
According to Sam Fairchild of the Adirondack Mountain Club, “The trail is completely buried underneath a huge mess of trees and mud.” Fairchild and other staff are working to keep hikers informed and rerouted, but there’s no timeline yet for when Avalanche Pass will reopen.
A Pattern of Extreme Weather
The landslides were triggered not just by how much rain fell, but how fast. In one instance, Nanticoke, NY saw 2.5 inches of rain in just 40 minutes. Another area in northern Oneida County got 3.25 inches in under four hours. Sudden, high-volume downpours like these are becoming more common across the Northeast — and around the globe — saturating steep mountain slopes and increasing the risk of slides, washouts, and other trail hazards.
While landslides in the Adirondacks are rare, they’re expected to become more frequent as the region experiences the impacts of climate change. Warmer air holds more moisture, which can lead to more intense rainfall events like this one. In April 2025 alone, the world saw 41 fatal landslides globally, a grim reminder of the growing instability in mountainous terrain worldwide.
BTW, you might also enjoy…
- ADK › Whiteface Mountain via Marble Mountain
- DANGER › 6 Feet Under? How Our Adirondack Hike Turned Deadly Serious (Substack)
- ADK › Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower
- CATSKILLS › Catskills Fire Tower Challenge 2025
- Follow › My Instagram @TotalCatskills
- Follow › My writing for Times Union
How to Stay Updated
The DEC is urging all hikers to avoid the Avalanche Lake area until further notice and to use caution on all High Peaks trails, especially those crossing streams or steep terrain. Summer is peak season for Adirondack hiking, and these closures will likely impact plans for many.
For updates, alternate route info, or to ask about current conditions, contact the High Peaks Information Center at 518-523-3441 ext. 121 or visit the following resources:
- Adirondack Mountain Club: Avalanche Pass Trail Closed
- DEC Backcountry Conditions
The Adirondack Park is vast and while Avalanche Pass Trail is closed, there are so many other amazing trails and peaks to explore. Check out my list of Adirondack trail guides.
Read More
Get full access…
Get instant access to the full version of this site and enjoy great supporter benefits: full galleries, full trail notes, early access to the latest content, and more.
Hot on the website right now…
Follow for more…
Follow my @TotalCatskills content on Instagram for regular hiking inspo and safe, inclusive community.
