Record-setting rainfall in Vermont sparks caution for hikers and bikers looking to follow the foliage

David Van Wart descends into the mist during an enduro race on Burke Mountain. (Jeb Wallace-Brodeur)

WARREN, Vt. — Frankly, I was a little surprised it took as long as it did – about 30 miles into the Grateful Gravel ride, staged by Vermont’s Mad River Riders at the end of July – before we were forced to dismount and hike-a-bike over a section of steep dirt road. This stretch, in West Berlin, was washed away by erosion. 

Given the record-setting rainfall only a couple weeks prior, the 63 miles of dirt and gravel roads that make up the challenging, “Fire on the Mountain” course (one that started and finished at Sugarbush Mount Ellen) were in surprisingly decent condition.

Not everywhere was as fortunate. The National Weather Service deemed damage caused by the “Great Vermont Flood of July 2023” as rivaling —  and in some areas exceeding — Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. 

At Montpelier, July’s rainfall set an all-time monthly record in excess of 12 inches, while 48-hour rainfall in nearby Calais alone totaled more than nine inches over two days (July 10-11). One of the hardest-hit areas was Ludlow, where the community is still recovering from widespread damage that flooding caused to property and infrastructure.

While the rush of flood waters has long since receded, the cumulative impacts of the unusually wet New England summer remain. Experts say hikers and mountain bikers looking forward to getting out on their favorite trails this fall shouldn’t cancel their plans, but they should be prepared for wet and changing conditions.

“We didn’t see catastrophic damage on the trails we manage,” said Chloe Miller, communications manager for Green Mountain Club, which manages and maintains some 500 miles of hiking trails in Vermont, including the Appalachian Trail, Kingdom Heritage Lands, and the Long Trail. 

However, oversaturated soils and some of the highest river levels on record remain. Things will not dry out overnight and current conditions increase the chances of further flash floods, mudslides, and washouts. 

Trails remain extremely muddy in a way typically not seen in summer or fall but rather during mud season in April and May. Because of this, Miller said Green Mountain Club is advising hikers to tread carefully when embarking on a hike.

“Hiking through mud can cause damage to the trails,” she said. “It compacts the soil and hiking around the mud widens the trail and tramples vegetation, which may increase erosion. Fall is a beautiful time, our favorite time for hiking with cooler temps, less bugs and great views,” Miller said. “But be prepared to get your feet muddy. Pack extra socks and just be prepared for those conditions.”

Hikers Should:

• Proceed with caution as trails will be muddy and the rocks on the trails will likely be wet. 
• Plan for a longer day as it takes more time to hike through muddy conditions.
• Turn around if you encounter intense mud you do not want to walk through.
• Use durable surfaces like rocks, logs, or boardwalk when available.
• Consider waterproof shoes/boots, gaiters, and trekking poles for stability.
• Allow for more travel time to and from your hike as many of the roads used to get to hikes are dirt roads or dead-end roads.
• Respect that emergency services are stressed and response to the backcountry may not be immediate.

Mountain bikers should similarly approach their favorite trails with caution this fall. “Know before you go” is the primary advice given by the Vermont Mountain Bike Association, which maintains more than 1,400 miles of trails over 92 chapters and a membership of nearly 10,000 riders. With all the summer rain, advice from mud season applies.

“Mountain bike trails, while not usually at high elevation, are extremely susceptible to damage during mud season,” said Nick Bennette, VMBA’s executive director. “If your tires leave a noticeable rut in the trail, turn around and find a durable surface to ride elsewhere. If you encounter a puddle, ride on the dry area of the trail or straight through if there is none. Mountain bikers can show our commitment to being a community of responsible trail users by using these simple guidelines and some common sense to protect our trails.”

While many trail networks throughout New England avoided major damage from July flooding, experts still advise riders to check the latest updates from their local mountain biking resources before heading out to ride. 

Because the organization works closely with private land owners to bring such a vast network of trails to the public for enjoyment, VMBA’s code of conduct is especially important when weather impacts conditions.

“Respect trail and road closures,” the organization states. “Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than are dry trails. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options.”

Mountain Bikers Should:

• Check the most up-to-date trail conditions as they can change daily.
• Turn back if you leave a track as riding on saturated soils will cause further damage to trails.
• Avoid traveling to heavily impacted areas still struggling to recover from flooding.
• Consider any open trails this fall as “open with caution.”
• Know that landslides, sinkholes, and other hazards can be hard to detect in advance.
• Ride conservatively and limit risks as emergency services continue to be stressed.

How to help

The Vermont Community Foundation helps coordinate philanthropic response after disasters. The VT Flood Response and Recovery Fund 2023 was established to support Vermonters in responding to and recovering from the catastrophic rainfall across Vermont in 2023. www.vermontcf.org/our-impact/programs-and-funds/vt-flood-response

The Vermont Main Street Flood Recovery Fund is raising money to provide grants to Vermont’s small business owners impacted by July 10th’s flooding. www.vtrecovery2023.com

Red Cross of Northern New England is in need of blood donors in Vermont and across New England. www.redcross.org/local/me-nh-vt.html