With all the rain in the forecast, we wanted to take a minute and visit an issue which seems to plague area trails every spring – soggy trail conditions. Don’t get us wrong, we love tacky dirt as much as anyone, however there is a fine line between brown pow, and wet or muddy trail. Simply, if mud or wet trail is sticking to your shoe or tire, you should turn around. Also, when you encounter a muddy patch, don’t assume the rest of the trail will be any better. More often than not, it only gets worse and you should quit while you’re still ahead.

First off, it’s important to realize, that not all dirt is equal. In regions such as the pacific northwest, wet trail conditions are common and accepted as part of the sport. Whereas, in Utah’s sub-humid climate, the same conditions can have fairly drastic consequences for the trail and your bike. Secondly, the time of year as well as exposure and elevation will effect how moisture and precipitation impact a trail. Throughout the spring thaw, trails tend to be more saturated and hold more water, taking days to dry out after rain, as opposed to later in the summer and fall where an evening thunderstorm will leave them riding nice and tacky the next morning.

With that said, we understand that shit happens. Through either bad circumstance, or poor judgement, we’ve all found ourselves in situations and on trails we shouldn’t have been on. We’re not here to place blame, or be trail nazis, but simply to spread awareness and encourage everyone to be considerate trail users. After all, these are our trails, paid for largely by our tax dollars, donations, and volunteer labor. It’s up to us to protect and sustain them for years to come.

Above: Note the vertical channel in the center of this perfectly bermy trail on the left. If not corrected, this will only worsen leading to massive ruts which make the trail unrideable as shown in the photo on the right.

Image Courtesy Bike List

Trail Threat #1 : Ruts & Erosion

One response we commonly hear regarding riding wet trails is “they fix themselves” and “mountain bikes have plenty of suspension to deal with trail damage.” No and no. Trail damage and erosion that occurs over time from proper use is a different beast than that which occurs as a result of abuse. Once a rut is formed, it is only aggravated by further travel and water, requiring hours of labor to correct. Also, those berms and flow we crave so much are no match for running water which takes the path of least resistance. Ruts create low spots trapping moisture that would otherwise run off the slope, further deepening over time forming mini canals that are perfect for grabbing your front tire and throwing you over the bars. Want your trails looking like the Grand Canyon? Neither do we.

Above: On the left, you can see the damage caused from people walking around muddy spots. What started as a singetrack trail, has now been widened from improper use. On the right, you can see the beginnings of trail widening. Over time, these two paths will merge and lead to further slope and trail erosion, eventually making the trail impassable. Remember to keep singletrack single.

Threat #2 : Widening the Trail

When trails are wet, and ruts start to form, naturally people tend to ride around them, hence widening the singletrack path. One of the arguments against allowing mountain bikers access to trails is the damage they do to sensitive environments. In reality, when bikes are on a defined path, they cause very little impact. It’s only when riders start cutting corners, riding around wet spots, and forging their own path that such damage occurs. Keep singletrack single, and when you encounter wet bits of trail, please consider the potential consequences of walking around the mud. This is vital not only for trail sustainability, but for ensuring our access as mountain bikers to trails for years to come.

Above: Riding in wet and muddy conditions not only destroys trails, but murders drivetrains. Unless you like shelling out an extra couple hundred bucks for new brake pads, chain, and seals, as well as want to spend your Saturday cleaning every nook and cranny on your bike instead of riding, stay off muddy trails and plan for the weather! Trust us, we’ve been there before and it sucks.

Threat #3 : Bike Damage

While this has less to do with the trail, it should just as likely influence your decision making process. There is no quicker way to ruin your drivetrain, brake pads, as well as shock, fork, and bearing seals than gunnking them up with Utah’s finest clay. The sandy soils common to the area can quickly turn into a reddish/brown glue-like paste that finds it’s way into every crevice on your bike. While the above photo may seem drastic, it’s amazing how fast mud can compound, leaving your bike unrideable and 20 lbs heavier as you carry it back to the car.

With that said, we know asking everyone to wait until all trails are 100% dry before venturing out is about as effective as abstinence only education. No one likes being told what to do, especially in nature, however, we do ask that you take responsibility for your actions and consider the potential impact you are having now and down the road. Think about it this way: the more time our trail crews have to spend repairing trails, the less time and effort they can allocate towards new and improved trails.

Furthermore, there are a number of tools available to keep you informed as to what’s rideable. We do our best to keep the site updated, as well as share trail reports across our social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. Basin Recreation does an excellent job at maintaining their trail conditions spreadsheet. Additionally, the Utah Mt Biking Trail Network Facebook page as well as the Mountain Trails Foundation Facebook page can be good resources for real-time trail conditions.

Happy trails, and remember to keep singletrack single!