Contributed by Rick Williams
Sustainable trails are built so that water will run across the trail, not down it. When water runs down the trail it focuses the water and increases erosion. Riding, running, hiking on wet trails creates ruts and footwear that will focus the water and increase erosion.
Using wet trails also increases cupping of the trail surface and causes puddles to get deeper and wider, both of which slow the recovery of the trail.
Trails are closed (and often fenced off) during the freeze/thaw cycle in the fall and spring. During these times, trails are especially susceptible to significant damage. PLEASE if you are going to use a trail, use it when the frost is still there not when it thaws.
Trails may also be closed after significant weather events, or if there are unsafe trail conditions.
The trails that receive a lot of use around the Greater Rochester area are particularly sensitive due to the very large numbers of users these trails get every year.
When trails turn into maintenance headaches, land managers start to consider closing trails for good... PLEASE do your part to ensure that we have access to great trails by all user groups using trails responsibly. Together we can keep these trail opportunities available for generations to come!
Wet Trail Conditions
Beyond any major closures, knowing when not to use a trail after a rainfall can be less obvious so please use good judgment. Trails will not be posted as closed or fenced off after normal rainfalls/storms, so it is up to you to make an educated decision. Here are some general rules regarding wet conditions:
- Trails should not be used during wet weather, or when the trail is soft or muddy.
- Trails are open if the trail is firm and the surface will not be disturbed by foot or bike travel.
- PLEASE be patient if the trail isn't ready... allow the trail to dry before using.
- Trails are typically too wet to use for 18-24 hours after a significant rainfall.
- Using wet trails damages the trail by creating ruts and footwear that increase erosion.
Please check the Trail Conditions Pages above for the most up-to-date information. And if you use a trail, please take a minute and update the conditions if they haven't been updated in a while... this is a great way to both help out your fellow users and help preserve the trails we love!
Yeah its winter but that doesn't mean you have to stop riding. Actually once ground frost takes place and it stays cold it is less harmful to a trail than soggy fall or spring riding. One of the best rides I’ve had this fall was last week at Ontario County Park, high in the Bristol Hills it was 22 degrees, 2 inches of new snow, singletrack and the beautiful landscape. Don Lyons, the park superintendent who lives at the entrance, encourages Mt. Biking and the park is open all year. It is also one of the best places for winter hiking and snowshoeing. VMTBC members had a workday at OCP in early November and by clearing the trail it is very dry, firm and frozen. Make sure you stop and say hello to Don and tell him how much we appreciate what he does. So wherever you go to ride go when it is frozen, avoiding greasy thawed surfaces that take a toll on the trail tread. Avoid wet areas since your rut will soon freeze and trap water. Also come out to a trail workday and help maintain the trails that you use.
