Have Mercy on Those Thawing Trails

ORA Trail sign in Mathy Quarry

Probably the biggest challenge I see hikers face is the yucky in-between winter periods of snapping cold temps and then sudden warm-ups above freezing. This freeze/thaw cycle wreaks absolute havoc on the trails - and a hiker's heart.

In the warming temps after bitter, below-zero cold, it's hard not to be chomping at the bit to get out on the trails. If the warm-up stays below freezing, we're good to go. But if temps in our climate changing world creep up over freezing into the mid to high 30s and 40s (like this upcoming week), the trails begin heaving as frost melts in the ground.

Tracks in mud
Image - Nola Larson

And that's where the trouble begins. When we use trails that are down to dirt and muddy, we contribute to erosion and trail degradation. 

Many volunteers put in hours of sweat equity maintaining trails. Ground-in tire and boot tracks are the hardest to repair. Our friends in the Coulee Region' s Outdoor Recreation Alliance created and posted signage around trails in the Coulee Region that are good reminders to us all.

If we are leaving boot/bike tracks on the muddy trail, let’s turn around and have alternative hiking plans during these warm times.

With this week’s coming diminishing/non-existent snow cover and muddy trails, I am cautious on what trails I will pick to hike on. When I leave muddy prints or go off-trail to avoid wet spots, I am contributing to erosion and deterioration of the trails. Traditionally, I confine my hikes to areas that are grassy, paved or graveled during these freeze-thaw cycles.

Do I love this kind of hiking? Not particularly. BUT I love the woods and bluff trails more. If each hiker and biker would think about the bigger picture, I think we could commit to being patient and waiting until our woods and bluff trails are solid before returning to them.

Below are some Driftless area hiking alternatives to try during winter thaws. These trails feature grass, gravel, asphalt or concrete trails. They give us a chance to still experience the outdoors and nature while preserving trails. Thanks to my hiking buddies Nola Larson and Kris Lawson for their input to this list.

• Goose Island Park along the roads near Wigwam Slough and down the slough trail south of the campground.
• La Crosse Marsh Trails (access points include Myrick Park near the dog park on N. East St off  La Crosse St or by the Nature Place; or at Riverside International Garden for paved trail.
• Chad Erickson Park, La Crosse
• Riverside Park, La Crosse
• Pettibone Park roads, La Crosse
• Lytle's Landing, Brice Prairie (or other sections of graveled bike trails - be aware that some sections get gooey/muddy)
• Reno Spillway
• Dresbach MN Hwy 90 Rest Stop - walk behind the building on the plaza and loop down to the river or hike on the shared trail past the MN sign to Dresbach, or walk down to the Lock and Dam along the road, or walk under the Hwy 90 bridge along the road down to the boat launch
• Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitor Center, Brice Prairie
• Apple Blossom Overlook Park, Dakota MN
• Maglessen Bluff, Rushford MN - drive to the top and walk along the paved road and grassy area to overlooks
• Sugar Creek Bluff, Ferryville WI
• McGilvrey 7 Bridges, New Amsterdam WI
• Halfway Creek Park, Holmen WI
• Holland Sand Prairie, Holland WI
• Trempealeau Wildlife Refuge trails (especially the dike trails), Trempealeau WI
• Lake Park Walk, Winona MN
• Pammel Creek Trail, La Crosse WI - while you can jump on this sidewalk along the creek anywhere, a great spot is at the Shelby Hillview baseball field which has a large parking lot next to the trail.
• Veteran's Park, West Salem, WI - hike park and connect up to the La Crosse River State Trail
• Wagon Wheel Trail, La Crescent MN
• Perrot State Park - walk the campground; Black Walnut and Riverview trails may be accessible too.

See you on the trails!