I'm in the Northeast and it's mud season.
Mud season is a period of time from late winter to early spring when recent snow melt and ground thawing creates A LOT OF MUD. Why does this matter?
Because mud season is when hiking trails become the most damaged.
Mud season coincides with everyone's psych level to get back outside after winter. What you get, then, is a bunch of psyched people hiking on muddy trails. When this happens, folks instinctively do everything they can to avoid the mud on the trails. This can lead to intense vegetation damage and erosion.
Instead, it’s important to walk directly through the center of the trail. No matter the mud.
But how? Well– with the proper footwear. Wear big, burly, waterproof boots if you must hike during the mud season. Commit to the mud. You are the mud.
Or, just wait a month and let the ground dry up a little.
Additional resources:
It certainly is mud season! And as I prep to head into the White Mountains for a hike this lovely Saturday afternoon, I will be reciting to myself "Commit to the mud. You are the mud....commit to the mud. you are the mud....Commit to the mud! YOU. ARE. THE. MUD!!" 🤣
Thanks for the reminders and useful resources