February 3 Trail Report

Here is the takeaway for trails conditions around the Ridge to Rivers Trail System today; there are A LOT of very muddy trails out there right now. The amount of mud around the system comes as a bit of a surprise due to just how little moisture in the form of rain or snow that we have received this winter. But it is very likely that the 50-degree temperatures during the day may be unlocking even more moisture in the soil that had been frozen solid during the long inversion that we experienced.

For at least the next few days, take this information and readjust your Foothill recreation plans so that you are avoiding trails that you know have a tendency for being muddy when conditions are wet. Even higher elevation trails such as Freddy’s Stack Rock trail are quite muddy right now in locations that are receiving plenty of sunshine through the middle of the day. Please focus your use to either sandy surface trails (Lower and/or Upper Hulls Gulch, Dry Creek) or all-weather trails right now. If you are in training mode and are looking for longer outings with some elevation gain, the two main dirt roads in the Foothills (8th St. and Rocky Canyon Rd.) provide a good option for doing so without running the chance of tracking through muddy areas.

Interactive Map: https://www.ridgetorivers.org/trails/interactive-map/
Wet Weather and Winter Trail Use: https://www.ridgetorivers.org/trail-guide/trail-etiquette/wet-weather-and-winter-trail-use/