Ridge to Rivers Asks Users to Stay Off Muddy Trails Despite Warm Weekend Weather

With unseasonably warm temperatures in the forecast this weekend, the Ridge to Rivers partnership, which is led by the City of Boise, is reminding trail users that it is still winter in the Boise Foothills and many trails will be wet, muddy, and highly susceptible to damage.

While warmer weather may make getting outside tempting, please do your part to protect the trails and choose paved paths or all-weather options, especially after mid-day when things have thawed. Using wet and muddy trails can do lasting harm. Footprints, tire ruts, and hoof prints left in soft trail surfaces harden as temperatures cool, creating erosion, safety hazards, and costly maintenance issues across the Ridge to Rivers trail system. Trail users are encouraged to pay attention – if you are leaving tracks, it’s time to turn back!

ALL-WEATHER TRAIL OPTIONS

Currently, trail crews recommend sticking to all-weather trails, which are good under almost every weather condition due to their soil mix. There are 17 all-weather trail options across the Ridge to Rivers trail system. Find a comprehensive list of these trails on the Ridge to Rivers Winter Trail Use website. Other alternatives when trails in the foothills are muddy include Mountain Cove Road and the Boise River Greenbelt.

TRAIL CONDITION REPORTS

Visit the newly improved Ridge to Rivers website for Trail Condition Reports before making your plan to get outside. Condition reports are posted daily on the website and the Ridge to Rivers Facebook page, in addition to live trail conditions being reflected on the Ridge to Rivers Interactive Map.

UPCOMING TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN CAMEL’S BACK RESERVE

Park and trail users will see Ridge to Rivers crews working near the main chute in Camel’s Back Park starting in February. They will be securing an eroding section of Camel’s Back Trail north of the chute that is very rocky and steep. Weather permitting, crews plan to add approximately 38 wooden steps to improve the quality of the trail, and to replace the adjacent rope fence with post and rail fencing. Upon completion, the area behind the new fence will be planted with seed and seedlings. This work is expected to take approximately 18 days to complete once it begins. The section of trail will be temporarily closed while the project is completed.

Ridge to Rivers thanks the community for being informed and responsible trail users. 

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The Ridge to Rivers partnership includes lead agency City of Boise, Ada County, the Bureau of Land Management Four Rivers Field Office, the Boise National Forest and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Together, these partner agencies manage more than 220 miles of trails located throughout the Boise Foothills.