With leaves changing and the weather cooling, I am reminded that my favorite mountain bike trails are not always dry and dusty! This time of year, trail conditions can be variable. In order to keep trails open and in good shape, take a look at some helpful hints from Women in the Mountains.
Mountain bike trails really should only be ridden when they are dry or mostly dry. Here in Park City, our mantra during the spring and fall is “wet ground - turn around.” Mud sticking to your tires? Turn around!
Related to wet trails, when you encounter standing water, ride through the middle of it and not around the water. Riding around the water widens the trail.
Ride only open and legal trails. In Utah, there are several online resources you can reference for trail conditions and other beta. For example:
Get the Trailforks App so you can make decisions at trail junctions and know if the trail you are riding is uphill only downhill only.
Park City: Mountain Trails Foundation, Basin Recreation
Wasatch County: Wasatch Trails Foundation, South Summit Trails Foundation
Salt Lake: Salt Lake Trails Society
St, George: Trail alliance of Southern Utah
Utah Mountain Biking is another hub of trail information as is the facebook group, Utah Mt. Bike Trail Conditions Network.
By being good to our trails year-round, we will be able to enjoy them for years to come!