You probably thought hiking is a great way to social distance, and you're not alone.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, so did the rise in people participating in outdoor activities. So much so, a lot of trails in the Hudson Valley and New York State have become overcrowded and overused. To combat the rising use of trails, a new pilot program is being put in place that would require a reservation to use certain trails in New York.
According to a press release from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, people wishing to use the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR) parking lot on Route 73 in the Town of Keene in the High Peaks region for daily use will need a reservation. This includes people being dropped off or arriving on a bicycle. The trails affected include Rainbow Falls, Indian Head, Noonmark Mountain, and Round Mountain.