Protect the Land, Go Through the Mud
Tips for trail conservation during mud season
According to the National Park Service, there was an almost 35 percent increase in national park visitation in April 2021 compared to April 2020. It’s wonderful that more people are getting outside to enjoy natures splendors. It is also an opportunity to reinforce the rules of responsible outdoor recreation.
Spring bring showers, which inevitably leave the trails full of mud. While your initial instinct might be to go around the mud to avoid getting dirty / sticky / slimy, it’s important that you either avoid the trail altogether or, if it can’t be avoided, walk or bike straight through the gunk. According to The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, an organization that works to protect the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly, walking around a trail can cause significant damage to the surrounding vegetation, animal habitats and fungi that are important for regrowth.
Here are a few ways to make sure you aren’t contributing to the problem:
Check your local parks and recreation sites for closures and announcements.
Wait to hike a trail until it is fully dry.
If you are on trail and run into a mud patch, walk/ride through not around the mud.
If recreating in a group, walk in a single file up the trail.
Consider the impact of your activities. According to the Mount Agamenticus Conservation Program, running and biking are higher impact activities than hiking.
Mud season won’t last forever, while it’s here it might be best to stick to the road.
