Mud season use can damage recreation trails

Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources is reminding bikers and hikers to treat trails gingerly in the coming weeks. As snows recede, water pools on dirt trails creating muddy conditions. The soft ground is malleable and can be damaged when used by mountain bikers or even those on foot.

The DNR has some etiquette tips available online. It says the most important thing to remember is that if you do decide to utilize a trail while it is muddy, be prepared to get dirty. Use the center of the path, rather than attempting to avoid the worst of it and widening the trail in a haphazard manner instead.

Much like snowmobiling, paths are groomed by volunteer organizations. Damaging them in early spring means the amount of work for those groups jumps exponentially for the rest of the year. Biking trails crisscross Houghton, Baraga, and Keweenaw Counties.