December 31 Trail Report

As expected, the freeze thaw temperature change has led to changing trail conditions – even without new precipitation. Trails that have been largely dry for the past few weeks are becoming increasingly wet and muddy as moisture is now getting pushed up to the surface of the trail tread.  

This means a few things for you as an avid trail user: 

1. You should check our Interactive Map https://www.ridgetorivers.org/trails/interactive-map/ and plan your route to maximize trails that are depicted as dry and/or tacky – there are still plenty to choose from. 
2. You should plan to turn around if you encounter long stretches of mud so that you don’t damage the trails. 
3. You should travel through, not around short muddy sections so that you don’t widen the trail (Freestone Creek Trail picture is a great example of this). 

NOTE:  Bucktail and Two Point trails are now closed for the winter season due to long stretches of mud – and good on ya to the numerous riders and hikers who stopped me yesterday to say that it was time to close these trails!