Green Mountain Club

Maintaining & Protecting Vermont's Long Trail Since 1910

  • About
    • The Green Mountain Club
      • Bylaws
      • Annual Reports
      • Strategic Plan
    • Visitor Center
    • Barnes Camp Visitor Center
    • GMC Rental Cabins
    • Board of Directors
    • GMC Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Corporate Sponsors
    • Our Business Partners
    • Contact Us
  • Hiking
    • Trail Updates
    • Winter Hiking
    • Hiking 101
    • Trail Systems
      • The Long Trail
      • Appalachian Trail in Vermont
      • Kingdom Heritage Trails in the Northeast Kingdom
    • HikeVT
    • Accessible Trails around Vermont
    • Thru-Hike the Long Trail
    • Hiking in Groups
    • Trip Planning
    • Mud Season
    • Fall Hiking
    • Guidebooks, Maps & Gear
  • Conservation
    • Protecting the Long Trail
    • Land Conservation
    • Field Programs
    • Burrows Trail Project
    • Regional Partnerships
  • Education & Events
    • Events & Workshops
    • Service Learning & Group Outings
    • Calendar of Events & Outings
    • Leave No Trace
    • Wildlife along the Trails
  • News
    • Trail Updates
    • Blog
    • Long Trail News
    • Press Releases
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Volunteer Reports
    • Application
  • Donate
    • Ways to Give
    • Long Trail Legacy Campaign
    • Donate Now
  • Members
    • Become a Member
    • Your Membership Benefits
    • Join a Section
    • Business Membership
  • Shop

Green Mountain Club Asks Hikers to Help Protect the Trails this Mud Season

March 23, 2022 by GMC Staff Leave a Comment

March 23, 2022
Contact: Chloe Miller, Communications Manager
[email protected]; (802) 241-8324

Green Mountain Club Asks Hikers to Help Protect the Trails this Mud Season

Waterbury Center, VT — The Green Mountain Club reminds hikers that mud season is here, and we ask all trail users to stay off the wet and muddy high-elevation trails until they dry out, around the end of May. This will allow the trails to dry and reduce erosion and maintenance needs. Many trails are closed by the state of Vermont, and we ask you to stay off any muddy trails especially those above 2500’.  

  • What: Mud Season Trail Closures and Hiking Guidance: Mud Season is the period from snowmelt (late March) through Memorial Day weekend when many hiking trails are closed and we encourage hikers to stay off all high-elevation trails. 
  • When: Now through May 27, 2022 
  • Where: Throughout Vermont, though trails above 2,500 feet are the most susceptible to damage and the most important to avoid. Check closures with FPR and TrailFinder 
  • Why: Hiking through or around muddy trails causes soil erosion, trail widening, and tramples fragile vegetation on the edges of trail. For more about why mud season occurs and why it’s bad for the trails, contact GMC or visit: https://www.greenmountainclub.org/hiking/mud-season/ 

There’s plenty of places you can hike this season. Think low elevation trails and durable surfaces, like gravel trails or mountain roads. Dirt roads around the state are in especially rough shape this year, and excess car traffic exacerbates the problem. If you’re going hiking, be a good neighbor and check road conditions on the way to trailheads, and avoid closed roads. Check out tons of mud season hike recommendations, or try one of our favorites: 

  • Bristol Trail Network – 2.4 miles of low-elevation, well-draining trails circle the town and the New Haven River. Try an out-and-back for 5 miles of mud season-suitable hiking. 
  • Mount Ascutney Toll Road — 7.4 miles round trip with 2,300’ of elevation gain for a challenge and views without damaging the trails. 
  • South Shore Trail, Willoughby State Forest — Two-mile loop skirts the edge of Lake Willoughby 
  • Appalachian Trail from Gifford Woods State Park to River Road, Killington — This 2.7-mile section of the AT (5.4 miles round-trip) travels along the south shore of the beautiful Kent Pond. It then gradually descends through the woods to the Thundering Falls universally accessible spur trail, which leads to the base of a waterfall. 
  • Colchester Causeway on the Burlington Greenway/Island Line Trail – This 4-mile, 10-foot-wide gravel path extends out in the middle of Lake Champlain, giving you water views all around. Access the Causeway from Airport Park and or Mills Point Road Lot in Colchester, or add miles on with the Burlington Greenway. 

Filed Under: News, Press Release

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Monthly donor spotlights

Giving Back to the Long Trail: Monthly Donor Spotlights

January 20, 2023

Vermont’s mountains are loved for many different reasons: formative youth experiences, core memories with family, camaraderie and friendships developed on trail, awe and appreciation for nature and its mental and physical benefits. To improve these experiences, GMC relies on the support of members … Read more

About Mud Season HikeVT Trail Recommendations Become a Member Trip Planning Trail Maps Volunteer Opportunities

Mission

The Green Mountain Club is the founder and maintainer of the Long Trail - the oldest long distance hiking trail in America. Established in 1910 to build this trail stretching the length of Vermont, the club now also maintains the Appalachian Trail in Vermont and trails in the Northeast Kingdom in its mission to "make the Vermont mountains play a larger part in the life of the people." Read more...

Featured Sponsors

jfghr-lohgo-topo OG
jfghr-lohgo-topo OG
Lenny's Shoe & Apparel logo
Lennys-Logo
Athletic_Primary_WhiteBG
Athletic_Primary_WhiteBG
Sunsoil logo
SUNSOIL_black_Large
Sunset Lake CBD logo
sunset lake cbd web logo
bbco
concept2

Connect

4711 Waterbury-Stowe Road
Waterbury Center, Vermont 05677
802.244.7037 | Email GMC

Click here for current hours.
Email us for hiking advice. 

Copyright © 2023 Green Mountain Club · All Rights Reserved. · Site by Earthlogic.