Sustainable Mt Jo Long Trail Opens

October 16, 2023 — Lake Placid, NY — After three years of work by professional and volunteer crews, ADK (Adirondack Mountain Club) is excited to announce the opening of the new sustainable Long Trail on Mt. Jo. Built to improve hiker safety and environmental sustainability, the new trail travels 1.5 miles to the summit of Mt. Jo, connecting visitors to one of the most iconic views in the Adirondack Park.

 “We are thrilled to announce the opening of the new sustainable Long Trail on Mt. Jo. I want to thank our professional and volunteer trail crews for their hard work over the last three years, as well as the incredible donors and community organizations who backed this project,” said Michael Barrett, ADK Executive Director. “This trail creates a model for sustainable trail design in wilderness areas that not only enhances hiker safety but also protects Adirondack ecosystems.”

Welcoming over 15,000 hikers every year, Mt. Jo is a popular hike for families and first time recreators, and serves as a classroom for ADK’s fourth grade school outreach program. After assessment in 2020, it was deemed that one of the two approaches to the summit—the Long Trail—had deteriorated beyond repair. A new route was designed using sustainable features to ensure that it could withstand erosion caused by foot traffic and climate change. Over the course of three years, ADK saw major support for the project from volunteers, donors, and the local community, including a $50,000 LEAF grant in 2021.

“I’m immensely proud of the collaborative effort that went into creating the new sustainable Long Trail on Mt. Jo,” said Charlotte Staats, ADK Trails Manager. “This trail is a symbol of our commitment to responsible outdoor recreation. It’s a testament to what we can achieve when passion and expertise come together to create safer and more sustainable trails in the Adirondack Park.”

Learn more about ADK’s trail work at ADK.org/trail-work.