Mud Season is Here! Help Us Protect Fragile Trail Environments
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The wet soils on
and around hiking trails are very susceptible to erosion at this critical time
of year. To protect fragile soil and
surrounding vegetation, some trails may be closed by the land manager during
this time. Please respect the signage
you see. Hikers walking on saturated
soils or on the sides of trails cause damage to surrounding vegetation, widen
trails, and inhibit natural drainage of our beloved hiking trails.
“It can take
hours for a volunteer or trail crew to fix what takes just moments to damage by
hiking on muddy trails,” says Jessica Savage, FPR’s recreation program manager.
“In between spring showers, we are all ready to hit the trails after a long,
cold winter. But even as your yard is drying out, soils are still thawing at
higher elevations. Saving your mountain
hikes until the trails are dry will ensure a better, longer hiking season for
all.”
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Play in the mud in your yard, not on the trails! |
The period of
snowmelt and muddy trails varies considerably throughout Vermont depending on
elevation, solar orientation, depth of snowpack, and amount of spring
rainfall. Even as it warms up in town,
our mountains are hiding cold, wet, snowy, and icy conditions that may persist deep
into spring. Hikers who find themselves at high elevations will need better
traction and warmer clothes than the valley may hint at. The GMC encourages hikers to use their best
judgment. If you encounter conditions
you are not prepared for, please turn around. The mountain will be there another
day. If a trail is muddy, even if it is
not officially closed, please find an alternative area to hike in.
“Dry trails at
lower elevations, dirt roads, and recreation paths all provide excellent
opportunities for spring activities,” says Mike DeBonis, executive director of
the Green Mountain Club. “Until the end
of May, consider hiking on south-facing slopes and lower elevations where the
sun can dry out the trails sooner. “
The Green
Mountain Club, the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, and the Green
Mountain National Forest thank hikers for their cooperation in helping to
maintain one of Vermont’s finest recreational resources, our hiking trails.
For information
on mud season and alternative hike suggestions, call the GMC’s visitor center
at 802-244-7037 (or email gmc@greenmountainclub.org) or the Vermont State Parks
Call Center at 1-888-409-7579 (Mon–Fri,
9am–4pm). In addition, a
weekly trail update with the latest conditions and a list of alternative hikes
will be posted on the Vermont State Parks website at: http://vtstateparks.com/hiking.html#mudSeasonHiking
Established in
1910 to build the Long Trail, the Green Mountain Club is a private non-profit
organization with over 9,500 members. The GMC is dedicated to maintaining,
managing, and protecting Vermont’s historic Long Trail, Appalachian Trail, and
Northeast Kingdom lands and advocating for hiking opportunities in Vermont.
Every year more than 1,000 volunteers work so that future generations will
enjoy the 500-mile Long Trail System.
The Department
of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is responsible for the conservation and
management of Vermont’s forest resources, the operation and maintenance of the
State Park system, and the promotion and support of outdoor recreation for
Vermonters and our visitors. In
addition, FPR is responsible for the acquisition, planning coordination and
administration of all Agency of Natural Resources lands. Department employees are stationed throughout
Vermont, including offices in Montpelier and at five regional locations. For
more information, visit http://fpr.vermont.gov/
The Green
Mountain National Forest (GMNF) encompasses more than 400,000 acres in southwestern
and central Vermont, forming the largest contiguous public land area in the
State. Located within a day's drive of more than 70 million people, the GMNF is
a destination for visitors seeking a variety of recreation opportunities. The
Forest includes three nationally designated trails: The Appalachian National
Scenic Trail (AT), Long National Recreation Trail (LT), and the Robert Frost
National Recreation Trail. The Forest also includes approximately 900 miles of
multiple-use trails for hiking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, horseback
riding, and bicycling. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/gmfl
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