[img:hikemud.jpg]The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) reminds hikers to avoid high elevation trails during the period referred to as "mud season", when trails and vegetation are most vlunerable. With the arrival of spring in the Adirondacks – or more truthfully the arrival of spring conditions in the Adirondacks as the two rarely coincide – hikers are anxious to get back to the mountains that many have been away from for many months.

The deeper snow packs combined with colder temperatures in the higher elevations mean it takes much longer for snow to melt. When the snow does melt it saturates the thin soils found on the steep slopes of the mountains. Mix in the fact that much of the vegetation at these high elevations are surviving on the very edge of their existence – hence the "tree line" – and one can understand why adding just a few hikers to this situation can cause severe erosion of trails and significant damage to vegetation.

DEC urges hikers to avoid hiking on high elevation trails during mud season. Specifically, all trails above 3,000 feet in the Dix, Giant, and High Peaks Wildernesses but also any high elevation trails on steep slopes throughout the Adirondacks.

Another aspect of avoiding the high elevation trails at this time is hiker safety. Hikers are more likely to slip and injure themselves on steep, wet and muddy trails.

Hikers are encouraged to hike on lower elevation trails where snows melt sooner, soils are thicker and dry more quickly, slopes are gentler and vegetation is less sensitive to damage from hikers. Lower elevation trails, even muddy ones, are less susceptible to erosion.

Wherever you are hiking, DEC encourages hikers to wear waterproof footwear and gaiters and to hike through, not around wet and muddy portions of trail to avoid widening the trails or creating "herd paths" around those areas.

Hikers who wait for drier conditions will protect natural resources and trails. Also, the trails will be in better condition later in the season, making for a safer and more enjoyable hike.

DEC's Adirondack Trail information web pages www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/7865.html will notify hikers of the start and end of the mud season. These web pages provide information on trail conditions, trail and road closures with links to weather, hiker safety tips and DEC regulations.

For hiking trail descriptions, from 1-2 hour jaunts to 46er High Peaks adventures, visit lakeplacid.com.

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