Mud Season

Although the snow is still fairly deep but steadily melting away, it soon will be mud season in Vermont. The down time as far as hiking or backpacking goes. As a trail maintenance volunteer, I understand the importance of patiently waiting for the trails to dry out some before trudging on them. Some trails are closed by the State of Vermont.

Spring is also a time when people can not resist getting out due to the nice weather. The Green Mountain Club has set certain guidelines for mud season.

Mud Season Hiking Guidelines

• Walk through the mud, not around it! If a trail is so muddy that you need to walk on the vegetation beside it, turn back, and seek an alternative area to hike.
• Hike in the lower-elevation hardwood forest (unless it is muddy!) with southern exposure (south facing slopes dry out first in Spring).
• Avoid the spruce-fir (conifer) forests at higher elevations.
• The State of Vermont closes all trails on state land including those on Camel's Hump and Mount Mansfield from mid-April until Memorial Day weekend. Please do not hike in these fragile areas.
  • Also avoid: Stratton Mountain, Killington Peak, Lincoln Ridge (Mount Ellen to Appalachian Gap), Jay Peak.