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Ridge to Rivers trail system is getting beat up because of muddy conditions

Posted at 4:13 PM, Jan 16, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-16 18:34:24-05

BOISE — The Ridge to Rivers trail system features more than 190 different trails in the foothills for hikers and bikers to enjoy.

The problem is people are enjoying the trails a little bit too much this winter and riding or walking in muddy conditions damages the trails.

"Our trail sides are mostly grass so what happens is people have a tendency to go around the muddy spots and that widens the trails," said Pete Ritter a ranger who monitors trails for Ridge to Rivers.

In the southern Idaho desert environment grass takes longer to grow back, leading to erosion and a greater opportunity for invasive species like goatheads and cheatgrass.

Ridge to Rivers offers a daily trails condition report on their websiteand on their Facebook page.

If we take care of the trails now it means that later this summer Ridge to Rivers will be able to work on creating new trails, however, if the trails continue to suffer damages they will spend their summer attempting to repair those trails.

For more information on the trails, check out the video.