Getting Outside During Mud Season
Mud Season Hiking: Q&A
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When is Mud Season,
exactly? Early spring through the Saturday of Memorial Weekend (ish)
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Where should I go?
Trails at lower elevations, dirt roads, and recreation paths are great options
for getting outside for a hike during Mud Season. Lower trails, particularly
those that are south-facing and in hardwood forests, will be your best bets!
What should I avoid?
Trails at high elevations, conifer forests, and north faces should be avoided.
What should I be on
the lookout for? If you need to step on surrounding vegetation in order to
cross parts of a trail, please turn around. Also, be attentive to changes in
trail consistency—some trails will start off dry, but start to get increasingly
muddy. In these instances, please play it safe and find a different trail to
hike!
Any other areas to
avoid? YES: Stratton Mountain, Killington Peak, Lincoln Ridge (Mount Ellen
to Appalachian Gap), and Jay Peak have all reported delicate conditions in the
past. Please play it safe!
Ok then…where should
I hike?
We’re so glad you asked!! Some recommended places to hike
this spring are:
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• Mt. Ascutney State Park Parkway
• Harriman Trail
• West River Trail
• Jamaica State Park Trails
Southwest Vermont:
• Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail
• Emerald Lake State Park roads
• Button Bay State Park roads
• Woodford State Park Trails
Northwest Vermont:
• Burlington Bike Path
• The Austin Brook Trail in Warren/Granville
• Travel Around Middlebury Trail (TAM)
• Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail
• Cotton Brook Area - Moscow/Stowe
• Alburgh Recreation Trail
• Mallets Bay Causeway
• Cambridge Greenway Recreation Path
• Mount Philo State Park
• Burlington Bike Path
• The Austin Brook Trail in Warren/Granville
• Travel Around Middlebury Trail (TAM)
• Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail
• Cotton Brook Area - Moscow/Stowe
• Alburgh Recreation Trail
• Mallets Bay Causeway
• Cambridge Greenway Recreation Path
• Mount Philo State Park
Northeast Vermont:
• Thresher Hill; Pine Brook Trails
• Liberty Hill; Contest Trails
• Lefferts Pond
• Robert Frost Interpretive Trail
• Stowe Bike Path
Happy trails!
By Carlie Timbie
Vermont State Parks
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