Trail Etiquette
TRAILS ARE FRAGILE WHEN THEY ARE WET OR THAWING OUT! WET TRAILS ARE EASILY DAMAGED!
As with other trails systems in New England, SVT does not recommend you hike, run or ride bikes on trails until trails are dry. This is especially important after rain events, during freeze and thaw cycles, and "Mud Season".
As a non-profit trail stewardship organization that relies upon volunteers for annual and emergency trail maintenance we ask that you abide by the following when using our trails:
1) Know before you go! Check the Trail Conditions page. Be prepared to change your plans.
2) Avoid trails after rain. Trails will need to dry out.
3) During freeze/thaw cycles, go earlier or later in the day as trails are more likely to still be frozen.
4) If you are leaving ruts & footprints, the trails are too wet.
5) If there is surface frost on the tread or below the snow (you will leave ruts and hear it crunch) please find a more compact trail.
6) Avoid going around puddles & ice. This widens trails.
7) Please seek drier alternatives when trails are fragile! It is costly to fix trails once they are damaged, and the damage caused could be permanent.
LEARN MORE ABOUT FREEZE/THAW/MUD
- Read more about the what the Freeze/Thaw Cycle is HERE.
- NEMBA Mud Season Reminder and Suggestions HERE
- Another explanation we like HERE
- Mud Season protocol for hikers from the Green Mountain Club.
- Watch this video by Leave No Trace Centers for Outdoor Ethics about Durable Surfaces.
LEARN MORE ABOUT RESPONSIBLE RIDING:
- Responsible Riding Etiquette from the International Mountain Bike Association
GIVE BACK TO TRAILS
If we all do our part, our trails will be here for a long time, so please help us keep trails in good shape and only use trails when they are not vulnerable to damage.
If you really love Slate Valley Trails, consider volunteering! We hope to see you at a Spring trail clean up or trail work day in the future!