During a rare afternoon of sunshine a few weeks ago, I took a hike up Kent’s Ledge near my apartment in South Royalton. With the last snow melting, my boyfriend and I enjoyed a slushy mess up to the top, with beautiful views over the valley.
Heading back in the soft snow was tricky, and my boyfriend decided it would be fun to propel himself downward, using his feet as a pair of skis. He left a newly slick trail in his wake, making it even more difficult for me to navigate.
Despite being an outdoor recreation buff and nature lover, he is not always aware of proper trail etiquette. Working at the Upper Valley Trails Alliance, I am prepared to teach others about trail ethics but, for some, this situation could have been uncomfortable.
With this in mind, I was particularly excited for UVTA’s Trails Connect meeting, where community members would have a chance to discuss trail ethics, as well as trail protections, maintenance and community needs face-to-face. The evening began with a send-off for John Taylor, the UVTA’s departing trail programs director, who has been an unstoppable force in the trail world for the past three decades. After John shared some touching words, the more than 70 attendees and members of 18 different trails organizations broke into learning groups to discuss and brainstorm various topics.
During the trail ethics session, the majority of the discussion surrounded how we can educate the greater community about ethics and proper trail use. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, I am sure you have been in situations when other users have been less than considerate.
Perhaps you were cross country skiing the last day of the season, only to be stuck in post holes, which occur when walkers hit the trails during the winter without skis or snowshoes, leaving deep ruts that can lead to injury for others. Or maybe you went hiking on a beautiful summer day, only to witness a dog using the bathroom right on the path, with no owner in sight to pick up the mess.
In these instances, our instincts are to be punitive. However, this is often counterproductive, as it assumes that abusers actually know what the rules are and intentionally ignore them. Responding to the behavior with anger can lead to unproductive results. We not only lose the opportunity to educate abusers about proper use, but we leave our otherwise relaxing afternoon feeling exasperated.
The overwhelming consensus at the trail ethics learning session was that we should assume good will on the part of other trail users and plan an educational approach for any negative situations that may arise. Trail managers, landowners and nonprofits such as the UVTA are constantly searching for ways to educate the public about trail etiquette, and there will always be ways that we can improve.
But, as a community, it is on all of us to learn the principles of leave no trace, to mark hunting seasons on our calendars and be ready with our orange gear, to pick up after our dogs and to educate the occasional neighbor who may need a friendly trail etiquette reminder.
Great communities build trails, and great trails build community. While not your typical example of a positive feedback loop, trails help to improve physical and mental health, leaving users more connected to the natural world and, ultimately, to neighbors and friends.
With great trails in our backyard, it is on all of us to take care of them. A community that values trail etiquette and respects the natural beauty that surrounds our trails is a community that will continue to develop sustainable trails for future generations.
So, as we trudge through the thick of mud season, let us think of ways we can spread our love and respect of trails to loved ones and others in the community. Needless to say, my boyfriend will not be doing anymore sliding down slushy trails.