Why We Should Avoid Muddy Trails
Spring has sprung in the high country, and this beautiful, warm weather has kicked off our annual snowmelt. A lot of our trails are becoming saturated with spring runoff, so it’s a great time to remind you to AVOID MUDDY TRAILS! When there are muddy patches on trails, bikers and hikers inevitably try to avoid the mud, and go around it. This causes unnecessary erosion and sometimes permanent damage to the trail and the surrounding vegetation. This may not seem like a big deal, but it can take hours for several volunteers to restore that area, that was damaged in just the few seconds it takes you to go off trail, around a mud pit. Even if you do walk or ride straight through the mud, you will sink into the trail creating ruts. When those dry, the trail is left a badly rutted mess, usually until someone is able to fix it.
![muddy-trails-bikers-WEB](https://fdrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/muddy-trails-bikers-WEB.jpg)
![muddy-trails-braiding-WEB](https://fdrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/muddy-trails-braiding-WEB-e1617298997884.jpg)
Trail braiding on the Spruce Creek Trail.
Tips to Avoid Muddy Trails:
![muddy-trails-cupping-WEB](https://fdrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/muddy-trails-cupping-WEB.jpg)
Trail cupping caused by riding muddy trails
Why We Avoid Muddy Trails:
![muddy-trails-WEB](https://fdrd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/muddy-trails-WEB-e1617393356732.jpg)