Brave the Elements
Spring in the Northeast is a time of thawing…and freezing. Then thawing and again refreezing. Followed of course by more thawing. Eventually, it’s a muddy mess. Warmer temperatures and spring rain, coupled with deep, frozen ground make it difficult for the landscape to absorb all the water it’s getting, so it pools up on the surface of your favorite trails. This awkward time of the year when winter is receding and spring hasn’t quite sprung, is affectionately referred to as mud season.
It is difficult to know for certain when mud season will begin and how long it will last. Generally, from the time the snow starts melting until roughly Memorial Day, you can expect quite a bit of mud.
Some things to know before you go…
Muddy trails are vulnerable to compaction and erosion. Hiking muddy trails can compact soil, making it even harder for water to drain and more difficult for roots to grow. In time this increases flooding in the area and keeps vegetation from growing, eventually leading to erosion.
Sometimes the best thing you can do for you favorite trails is to turn back. If a trail seems to be especially muddy—you’re coming to a lot of puddles, several of them are more than a couple steps long, you sink more than a half inch—turn back and find a drier trail. Continuing on adds to long-term damage and can leave behind a messy trail for summer hikes.
Go through, not around. Even when hiking a fairly dry trail, you may come up to some mud. Fight the urge to go around a mud puddle. Going around mud will only widen the trail and widen the puddle over time. It’s better to go through the mud than trying to skirt around it to mitigate damage. Keep in mind, “going through, not around” doesn’t do much to mitigate damage if the whole trail is a mud puddle. It’s still best to turn back if possible.
Check weather and trail conditions. The weather at the trailhead will be very different from the conditions at your final destination and there is likely to be mud in between. Check weather and trail conditions and be prepared for the changes you could see on the trail.
An open trail is not necessarily a passable trail. Many state forest trails will be closed for mud season. National Forest trails however, are rarely closed for mud. That does not mean the trails are dry or safe. Your National Forests are counting on you, the visitors, to use your best judgment when it comes to trail conditions. Your favorite outdoor spaces rely on responsible recreationists to make good hiking decisions.
Play, Clean, Go! Muddy boots and paws can spread invasives. Clean your boots, paws, gear, cars, and anything else that may have gotten caked in mud before you go. That mud makes it especially easy to pick up invasive organisms and carry them from trailhead to trailhead. Cleaning your gear post-hike stops the spread.
Low elevations, south facing slopes and roads. The snow is melting, the sun is shining, of course you want to get out to play! To avoid the muddiest trails, we suggest checking out sites that are at lower elevations and on south facing slopes. Those areas will dry out quicker and see less mud over the season. Forest Service roads are also a great option for hiking. Many Forest Service roads don’t open to motor vehicle use until May 1 and won’t see as much pooling as the trails.
And if you’re on a bike…
Hit up a dirt ROAD. Riding dirt roads is a great option during mud season. They are much wider than trails or sidewalks, have fewer cars than most roads and often have incredible scenery. Forest roads open May 1st for the season.
Keep up to date on mountain bike trail status. Find your Vermont Mountain Bike Association chapter if you’re near the Green Mountain National Forest or check out the Western New York Mountain Bicycling Association in New York to stay in the know!
Additional Reading:
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s spring recreations tips.
- Green Mountain Club’s mud season trail recommendations in Vermont.
- Tips to prevent the spread of invasive species from Play Clean Go.