Winter Movement Matters: How We Keep Going and Protect the Trails We Love

At Gr8ter, we believe in movement, connection, and purpose — and Trail Fridays is one of the most consistent ways our community lives out those values. Every week, hikers and runners come together to recharge, build friendships, and support their mental health through time outside.

And when winter arrives, we know how much harder it can be to stay motivated. Seasonal depression is real, and maintaining movement during the colder months is one way we continue caring for our minds and bodies. Trail Fridays doesn’t stop when temperatures drop — we keep showing up for each other — but we must also show up responsibly for the land we use.

Since most of our gatherings take place on the Ridge to Rivers trail system, we share a commitment to being good stewards of those trails, especially during wet weather. Muddy trail use is one of the biggest causes of long-term trail damage, and as a growing group, our impact multiplies quickly. Protecting the trails ensures that the outdoor spaces we rely on remain healthy, accessible, and open for all.

Why Responsible Trail Use Matters

Ridge to Rivers reminds users that using trails when they are muddy is the leading cause of trail damage.

When we hike or run through soft, saturated soil, we leave deep footprints, paw prints, and tire tracks that:

• break down the trail surface
• destroy drainage
• widen trails
• erode the surrounding habitat
• create long-term damage they cannot easily repair

When people go around muddy sections instead of through them, vegetation is trampled, new paths form, and erosion spreads. As a large and growing group that uses these trails weekly, our responsibility is even greater — our collective choices matter.

Ridge to Rivers Recommendations

Ridge to Rivers provides clear guidance for wet-weather trail use:

• Do not use muddy trails. If you’re leaving footprints or tracks, the trail is too wet — turn around.
• If you encounter a small muddy patch and must pass, go directly through the center. Do not go around it; that widens and damages the trail.
• Stay on designated trails only. Never cut switchbacks or create new routes.
• Check conditions before you go. Their live map is updated regularly and is a helpful guide, even if it’s not always perfect in real time.
• Consider weather-resilient “all-weather” trails as better winter options.
• Embrace the Happy Trails Pledge — a promise to be respectful, inclusive, and considerate to all trail users.

How Trail Fridays Navigates Winter Conditions

Here’s our commitment to the trail system — and to each other — during wet or uncertain conditions:

• We check conditions before every meetup. We monitor the Ridge to Rivers trail-status map, weather forecasts, and recent updates.
• We plan alternate routes when conditions look questionable, including all-weather trails or road-based options.
• We do not hike or run on muddy trails. If the group starts leaving visible tracks, we agree to turn around — no exceptions.
• We may change meetups last-minute if expected dry trails turn out to be muddy. Flexibility is part of responsible winter trail use.
• If participants aren’t adhering to these principles, we will be forced to default to alternate routes anytime conditions are wet — and we’d prefer not to limit our options if we can avoid it.

This is a shared effort. When everyone commits to responsible use, we protect the trails we love and maintain the freedom to keep meeting on them year-round.

Why This Matters for Our Community

Being responsible on the trails isn’t just about land management — it ties directly back to our purpose:

• Movement: Staying active in winter supports physical and mental health, combats seasonal depression, and maintains routine.
• Connection: We show up for each other — and for the land we depend on.
• Purpose: Stewardship is meaningful. When we take care of the trails, we leave a positive impact and model respect for our community and environment.

Trail Fridays is more than a weekly outing. It’s a commitment to ourselves, each other, and the place we call home.

Trail Fridays Stewardship Promise

As a group, we commit to:

• Using the Ridge to Rivers system responsibly
• Avoiding muddy trails and turning back when necessary
• Staying on designated routes
• Following the Happy Trails Pledge
• Choosing alternate routes when conditions require it
• Protecting the trail experience for future generations

Together, we can move through winter with purpose, connection, and care — and make sure the trails we love remain healthy for years to come.