5 Tips for Hiking During Mud Season with Your Pup
The first time I heard the term “Stick Season” I was in Vermont and had just been evacuated from my job in Rwanda due to COVID. It was mid-March, and my friend Sally (a Vermont native) mentioned that it would be super muddy outside because of Stick Season. When I asked her what that was, she said, “It’s spring! It’s Mud Season - when all of the snow is melting and it’s muddy everywhere.” Of course, Noah Kahan has popularized the term more (also a Vermonter ironically). Depending on where you live, and for us out here in Colorado, spring means snow is melting and everything is muddy. This is also a time where it can be more challenging to leave no trace on trails. Here are my top 5 tips for hiking with your pup when it’s muddy out while focusing on sustainability!
1. Dress for mud! Wear your grungiest clothes, boots, and whatever you truly don’t mind getting covered in mud! I like to also bring a big towel, large tuperware, and extra gallon of water. At the end of the hike at the car, I put water in the tuperware and rinse off Mu’s paws / underbelly, dry him with the towel, and at least minimize the mud that will make it into his car crate and my house before he gets a proper bath.
2. Make sure to check local government websites for trail closure updates before heading out the door! I find the easiest way to find this info is to Google the name of your trail as well as “gov” which will pull up the website of the managing authority for the trail you plan to hike (AllTrails is an awesome resource, but typically won’t have updated info on closures). You should then be able to see all updates regarding trail closures due to mud, weather, maintenance, or other factors. More than once I’ve ended up at a closed trailhead because I failed to do this step!
3. Practice good trail etiquette: During mud season, trails can be particularly vulnerable to erosion and damage. Help minimize your impact by sticking to designated trails and avoiding shortcuts, which can exacerbate erosion issues. As annoying as it can be, treat the mud as a game and tramp right through while staying on the trail - stepping to the side can actually corrode the integrity of the trail. Be sure to clean up after your dog and pack out any waste. Leave no trace principles apply year-round, but they’re especially important during mud season when trails are more susceptible to damage.
4. Search for paved trails near you! Just the other day Mu and I hiked Dinosaur Ridge near Morrison, CO, which is a lovely and free paved area right down the road from where I work!
5. As always, make sure to check the weather local to where you will be hiking! Even if it’s near your house - as I’ve learned the hard way - weather can vary significantly or change suddenly. Don’t be caught off-guard by failing to complete this step!
