WCAX
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – As the weather warms up and you lace up your hiking boots, there are some things to remember while hiking during mud season.
Staffers with the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Rec say hiking or biking on wet trails during mud season can cause erosion and harm sensitive plants.
“Usually, people don’t walk through the mud, they walk around it which leads to vegetation trampling. So, that widens trails and then also can impact the growth of different vegetation,” said Kathryn Wrigley, an outdoor recreation specialist with Forests, Parks and Rec.
Here are some things to if you’re going hiking or biking during mud season:
- Check the trail status. You can check Trailfinder.info, Green Mountain Club Visitor Center or VMBA Trail Conditions to find out what trails are closed or open near you.
- Turn around in muddy conditions. Avoid stepping off the trail.
- Find trails with durable walkways, like gravel roads, paved roads, rail trails and bike paths. These are more resilient to mud season.
- Avoid hiking in the alpine zone. Many plants there can only grow in that zone, making them rare and fragile vegetation.
- Respect trail signage.
- Check weather reports.
https://www.wcax.com/video/2025/04/13/tips-hiking-during-mud-season
