Trail Etiquette: Avoid Wet Trails

---

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 winter freeze and thaw cycles, and during the spring "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, or check Trailforks.
2)  Avoid trails after rain, especially heavy rain.
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)  Avoid going around puddles & ice. This widens trails.
6)  Seek alternative, drier options during times when trails are fragile! It is costly to fix trails once they are damaged. 

If you are unfamiliar with Mud Season protocol. we recommend reading this blog post by the Green Mountain Club.  Also watch this video by Leave No Trace Centers for Outdoor Ethics about Durable Surfaces.

Thank you ! We hope to see you at a Spring Trail Clean Up Day in the future!