Disclosure: This content may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Spring is mud season, sure, but mud season also happens every time it rains.
Here are three great reasons to always walk directly down the middle of every trail — especially through puddles and pools:
- Staying in the center of the trail avoids trampling plants on either side of the trail — some plants are exceptionally slow-growing, so walking down the center of a trail is an act of environmental conservation;
- It prevents the widening of trails — which happens super quickly;
- Muddy boots are a badge of honor!
Some trails are more prone to getting waterlogged than others. Kaaterskill High Peak is famous for its mud. Up high, West Kill, Hunter and Sugarloaf all have a lot of squelch.
Mountain-Hiking.com is independently owned and supported by readers and a small group of sponsors. If you’d like to help me continue producing content like this, please consider becoming a Patreon supporter.
BTW, you might also enjoy…
- UPDATED › Best Bug Spray & Bug Repellent for Hikers
- CATSKILLS › Peakbagging The Catskills High Peaks (Ultimate Guide)
- STAY › Find Your Perfect Catskills Stay
- ADIRONDACKS › Wright, Algonquin & Iroquois Peaks
- LEARN › Teach Yourself How to Use a Compass
- ENTERTAINMENT › Best & Worst Hiking Movies
- Follow › My Instagram @TotalCatskills
- Follow › My Substack @TotalCatskills
- Follow › My writing for Times Union
And the trail from Route 23 toward Windham High Peak is another spot where a really beautiful route is beginning to widen in several places because people can’t handle a little ick.
As the folks at @nysdec say, “Walk through, not around, mud and water on trails to avoid trampling vegetation and widening trails.”
It’s also fun!
Stick it to the scolds: return home muddy.
Read More
Get full access…
Get instant access to the full version of this site and enjoy great supporter benefits: full galleries, full trail notes, early access to the latest content, and more.
Hot on the website right now…
Follow for more…
Follow my @TotalCatskills content on Instagram for regular hiking inspo and safe, inclusive community.
