Press Release
Media Contact: Dave Hardy, GMC Director of Trail Programs, (802) 343-9017
GMC Asks Hikers to Avoid Muddy Hiking Trails
The Green Mountain Club (GMC), maintainer of Vermont’s Long Trail and Vermont’s hiking trail advocate, and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR), manager of State Forests and Parks, announce that Mud Season has returned to the Green Mountains a month early.
We ask hikers to stay off muddy trails from now until Memorial Day weekend; the forest has not caught up with our variable climate so the trails will remain wet, muddy, and prone to erosion. Hikers walking on saturated soils or on the sides of trails cause irreversible damage to surrounding vegetation, widen trails, and inhibit natural drainage of our beloved hiking trails.
The wide range of temperatures will continue through April into May. Together with this winter’s high elevation snowfall that rarely reached the valleys, our mountains are hiding cold, wet, snowy, and icy conditions that may persist deep into Spring, like always.
Conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Hikers venturing to high elevations will need better traction and warmer clothes than the valley may hint at. If you encounter conditions you are not prepared for, turn around.
“It’s been an odd winter and we need exercise. If a trail is so muddy that you need to walk around it, please turn around and seek an alternate hike or another outdoor activity like biking or road walking,” recommends GMC Director of Trail Programs Dave Hardy. Dry trails at lower elevations, dirt roads, and recreation paths provide excellent opportunities for Spring activities.
The GMC and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation thanks hikers for their cooperation in helping to preserve one of Vermont’s finest recreational resources, our hiking trails. For information on mud season hiking, please contact the Green Mountain Club at (802) 244-7037 or [email protected].
For a list of alternative mud season hikes, please visit:
http://vtstateparks.blogspot.com/2016/03/mud-season-hiking-what-you-need-to-know.html
Established in 1910 to build the Long Trail, the Green Mountain Club is a private, nonprofit organization with over 9,000 members. The GMC is dedicated to maintaining, managing, and protecting Vermont’s historic Long Trail System and advocating for hiking opportunities in Vermont. Every year more than 800 volunteers work so that future generations may enjoy the 475-mile Long Trail System. Contact the Green Mountain Club to learn more about the GMC or to become a member.
Hi! The Camel’s Hump is open tous week end?
Thank you!
Camel’s Hump is not open this weekend, and actually still has quite a bit of snow at the top.
Hello ! Is sunset bridge trail open next week-end ? What are the conditions ? thanks !!
We expect the trails to be open, however, high elevations still have snow right now. You can see details at https://www.greenmountainclub.org/2019-hiking-season-is-here-but/
Hello ! Is Camel’s Hump trail open next week-end ? What are the conditions ? thanks !!
Yes, Camel’s Hump trails are open. The trails are muddy and there is still some snow on the Long Trail between the Hut Clearing and the summit.
Is Jay Peak open this week end (June 8) ? what are the conditions ?
thanks,
Jay Peak is open but the trails are still very muddy. We saw a report of one patch of ice still hanging around on the south side of Jay Peak.
Thank you !
Is Mount Hunger open?
We don’t take care of those trails, but the trails on Mount Hunger are open.
Is Jay Peak open this week end (Nov 17) ? what are the conditions ? Thanx