Tis the time of year when mud dominates from the slow melt of accumulated snowpack. The daunting wetness that pastes onto boots and pant legs with the tenacity of cement has to make you wonder how many additional pounds of the out-of-doors you are taking home to toss into your washing machine. Do you ever wonder if your hiking season should be delayed for another couple of weeks to protect and prevent soil erosion on the trails your enjoy traveling? Have you considered an idea of responsible use for the trails you like to travel?

Trails that receive considerable winter snowfall naturally have a shorter travel season. But it makes sense to give the landscape time to heal before lugged boots, trail runners and keds dominate the treadway. Simply, each footprint of mud that stays on your boots strips the path of soil and often causes irreversible erosion and damage. Allowing trails to dry out increases the trail longevity and maximizes your positive experience over the long haul.

I know, you are tired of being inside. Of going nowhere on the stationary bike. You long ago ditched the hand weights that sit dusty in the corner. You itch to hike and find sprouting water cabbage, tussles of greening grasses and the mountain bluebirds flitting for tiny insects. Just remember, at higher elevation the soils are still trying to try out. And, their higher content of organic material slows the drying process. A trail may be dry at the trailhead but it will get muddier as you climb into higher altitudes. Wait another couple of weeks and instead aim for trails at lower elevations, dirt roads and recreation paths for this early spring walking.

Still anxious, then following these mud season hiking guidelines:

• Walk through the mud NOT AROUND IT! If a trail is so muddy that you need to walk on the vegetation beside it, turn back and seek a different area to spend your day hiking.
• Hike in lower elevation hardwood forest (unless it is muddy!) with southern exposure (south facing slopes dry out first in the spring).
• Avoid conifer forest at higher elevations where the trails are still very fragile and easily destroyed with errant foot falls.
• Be aware and cognizant. If you believe you are doing trail damage you are and ponder an alternative – at least for another couple of weeks.

About Step Outdoors, LLC
Step Outdoors wants you to go outside and we lead individually inspired one foot in front of the other adventure pursuits to get you there. In the summer, we will tailor a first time overnight backpack or a more challenging multi-day hiking adventure just for you. In the winter, we offer snowshoe hikes appropriate for beginners and for those with a tad more experience. Perfect for mothers and daughters, couples, families, or a group of friends, we provide a 100% guarantee of fun.

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