LAKE PLACID — Thaw, freeze, thaw. Rain, snow, rain — possibly with a dabble of sunshine sprinkled in between, if luck allows. After a hearty winter, shoulder season is once again in full swing, or perhaps more accurately, taking the arc of a pendulum swing, in the Adirondacks.

As winter begrudgingly, and in many cases, unpredictably gives way to spring, local experts caution that it is one of the most precarious times of the year to take to the trails, especially higher elevation routes that comprise some of the most popular trails locally.

Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) Communications Director Sara Cook said that looks can be deceiving, especially for people visiting from further away.

she said.

ADK’s High Peaks Information Center offers some of the most up-to-date reports sourced from first-hand accounts from the backcountry. Sam Fairchild, who was staffing the center Monday afternoon, said there is still between 4 to 6 feet of snow at the highest summit levels.

Fairchild added that the snow’s quality is precarious. Rapidly-fluctuating temperatures have resulted in an unstable snowpack that is more prone to slide, as well as causing some hikers to sink down, even while wearing snowshoes.

he said.

Cook added that the snow composition can take on differing characteristics by the hour, meaning that hikers may endure very different trail conditions than what they started with.

she said.

At lower elevations, Fairchild said it was a potpourri of conditions.

he said.

Fairchild warned people to be especially careful in planning — and potentially reconsidering — attempting any routes that have water crossings, which he said are running high and prone to sudden changes.

he said.

One ominous harbinger of water danger, Cook said, is Johns Brook Lane, which services a popular trailhead in Keene Valley. The access road sustained significant damage from high waters on Monday and is temporarily closed as a result. She said it will likely take several days for the road to be repaired.

she said of The Garden.

Cook and Fairchild recommended that people thinking of venturing into the High Peaks consider lower elevation trails instead, as well as hikes outside of the Adirondacks, where trails have had more of a chance to melt and drain their snowpack, resulting in a relatively safer route.

For those who do plan to head into the backcountry, Fairchild said plan ahead and prepare for cold weather.

he said.

He added that snowshoes or skis — which are required by state law to be worn in the High Peaks Wilderness if the snow depth on the side of the trail is greater than 8 inches — are still needed, even if there isn’t much snow at the trailhead.

he said.

For more information on safety tips, visit adk.org.