Leave the leaves FALL TRAIL REMINDER: PLEASE DON'T BLOW THE LEAVES!
As fall settles in and the leaves start covering our trails, we want to remind everyone of an important trail maintenance practice: Please leave the leaves where they fall!
While clearing leaves might seem like a good way to keep the trails clean, leaving them in place actually helps protect our trail system and can get us riding sooner in the spring!
Here's why leaving the leaves matters: Reduces freeze/thaw damage: A natural layer of leaves helps insulate the soil, moderating temperature fluctuations and protecting the trail surface during winter.
Helps trails dry out in the spring: By protecting the soil from repeated freezing and thawing, leaf cover can help reduce soil disturbance and muddy conditions. This can mean less repair work and potentially earlier trail openings when conditions allow. Prevents erosion: Leaves help soften the impact of rain and slow surface runoff, reducing soil erosion and protecting our carefully maintained trails.
Protects the surrounding ecosystem: Fallen leaves provide habitat for beneficial insects and other wildlife while returning nutrients to the forest floor. Reduces trail maintenance: Less erosion and freeze/thaw damage means fewer repairs for our volunteers and more time spent improving the trails!
The bottom line: A little extra leaf cover in the fall can go a long way toward protecting our trails through winter and helping us get back on the dirt sooner in spring.
Thanks for helping us keep our trail system in great shape!
