A hikers dilemma: mud season

If you’re from the northeast, you understand what I’m ranting about.

It’s almost mud season in Vermont (the worst of the seasons if you ask me) where the roads and trails get so squishy and furrowed by people or cars trying to trek through feet of mud. Hiking trails are closed off, runners stick to sidewalks or paved areas, and overall it‘s not a great time if you’re someone who enjoys the outdoors (or having a clean car).

Hiking in March is really hit or miss. Some times the bottoms of trails will be a muddy mess but as soon as you start going up in elevation it will turn into water flowing over rocks, packed down icy sections of old snow, slush, completely iced over, or full snow sections. Do you wear rainboots? Hiking shoes? Trail runners? Spikes? It’s anyone’s guess.

Most trails close for a good portion of march and april to try to conserve the structural integrity of the ground. Many hikers take a break or seek out paved routes, like some ski mountains have paved toll roads hikers can use during the off season. More gradual river walks or routes along the bike paths are also a valid option.

If you do find yourself on a hike in mud season there’s a few rules you should stick too: lower elevation trails, preferably paved or very rocky routes, and if there’s mud go through it and not off trail as that can damage the vegetation and structure of the trail corridor and widen/hurt the trail.

Other great options for spring activities are urban hiking or taking a tour of local gardens, getting into road biking (ice depending), and indoor gym/climbing/yoga/etc.

Personally, I hate being restricted in hiking or any activity really but I also want to conserve the trail systems so I resign myself to glowering at closed trail hiking signs and finding alternative routes. Hopefully this mud season will but short and we can all take a step back and enjoy the spring buds, birds. Soon enough sunshine will come and the end of stick and mud season will be right around the corner with beautiful summer hiking to follow.