SCLT asks trail users to head back if you’re leaving tracks

The Sheridan Community Land Trust has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into the development and creation of miles of trail systems in Sheridan County. 

Typically, the trails are ready for almost any kind of recreational traffic; foot, biking or equestrian. But during certain periods of the year and after heavy precipitation, sections of the trails can become soft and muddy. Traffic on these sections while in wet conditions can damage the trails, causing large footprints, tire tracks and hoof prints to cut deep into the trail. Once the wet conditions dry or freeze, large prints and ruts can be left behind creating hazardous conditions along the trail.

These ruts and holes require repair and cost hundreds of working man-hours and thousands of dollars. 

During an appearance on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, SCLT Executive Director Brad Bauer told listeners that a few of the new trails suffered damage from recreationalists during a wet period. 

The SCLT encourages use of all trails but if a trail user notices that their boots, hooves or tires are leaving noticeable tracks, the SCLT is asking residents to turn around and head back. By choosing another drier trail, the user will save the wet trail from possible permanent or costly damage.