Top Ideas for Surviving New England's Mud Season

Jay Bell

Adding water to "dirt therapy" and seeing what happens.

Mud Season: that time of year when you can’t ski, when you want to get outdoors, but when the world hasn’t quite sprung to life yet. It’s a final tease from the weather gods, but there are a few ways you can embrace this dirtiness and actually take advantage of it that might be tough to do during the rest of the year

​1. Early-season mountain biking and hiking

Nothing like a little mud, sweat, and gears to get the outdoor season underway!

Listen, these are dirty sports anyway, so why not go all in? I mean, really embrace that reality? Bombing through a mud puddle and feeling the splatter on your legs, then on your back from your rear wheel can play to your inner eight-year-old. You can eye muddy spots and guess how deep they are before recklessly charging ahead to find out. “Too deep” is a totally acceptable answer! Or, some shorter hikes can help rebuild your hiking legs, and the slipperiness is sort of like a full-body workout, as you fight to stay upright.  Of course, any time you do fall, it’s important to get on your feet as quickly as possible and exclaim to whomever you’re with (or no one in particular), “I’m OK! Nothing to see here!”
(Note: in this case, please be mindful and skip muddy areas if they’ll create erosion as a result. Puddles that reform instead of washing away are the ones to look for.)

2. Brush burn

Possibly the most relaxing, enjoyable home improvement project you can do!

It’s really the world’s best home improvement project. You have a big fire going all day long, but half the time you’re sitting in a camp chair with a beer in your hand while you improve your property’s value a smidge. Easy-peasy! Plus, there’s something entertaining about having a marginally out-of-control fire that you allegedly can control with a metal rake and a garden hose. You can make the most of it by cooking over that fire – hot dogs or s’mores, anyone? Or order pizza and tell them to look for the flames rising several feet in the air. Tip: if you can get several friends over to help, just grab a log, periodically move around, but don’t work too hard. Friends won’t realize you’re not actually doing anything and they’ll do all the hard work! 

3. Volunteering for trail clean-up

Towns and various conservation groups often have organized clean-up efforts, and the start of warmer weather is good timing for many of them. This effort helps prepare the trails for use over the upcoming months, can offer an opportunity for socializing and for exercise, and obviously supports a good 

cause. Sometimes, there are also planned efforts to expand trails. While the organizations may provide the clean-up tools and may also give you some snacks and hydration, it’s good to check beforehand. Town conservation departments or your favorite nonprofits may have details on their websites. NEMBA, a regional mountain biking nonprofit, often enjoys going to a pub afterwards. Whichever the case, it’s a good way to pay back for the trails you may spend the upcoming months enjoying.

4. Puddle hunting

Sure, you could go around it. But why not jump through it instead?

When you were a little kid, there’s a decent chance that at some point you would jump in some rain puddle. In this case, especially after or during a soaking spring rain, revert to your childhood self. This can be particularly fun with your kids, who might be thrilled at the chance to seek out these puddles and mud spots and jump into them with gusto. Seeing their parent doing it alongside them might happily surprise them. It has a near-100% chance of enjoyment. I mean, think about it. How can you go jump up and down, get muddy and soaked, and wear a frown on your

face? No kid can, and I bet any grown-up giving this a shot can’t, either. Impossible!
(Again, a reminder to avoid puddles that will wash away and cause erosion.)

5. Off-roading

You get muddy, except you don’t personally get muddy. It’s just on the outside. Sure, you could get stuck. But if you can go off-roading, you’re probably smart enough to not get too carried away. Or you’ve got a friend with a winch. Even exploring and scouting for dirt roads while listening to music could be a fun way to kill a couple hours. There’s some fun afterwards, too. Let’s 

I promise to get this thing muddier next time!

be honest, if you’re on the highway and some vehicle is nearby caked in mud, you’ll notice and probably admire it a little bit and wonder what fun they were having. Here’s your chance to be the one caked in mud. ​

​Whatever the case, mud season is short and will pass. But rather than lamenting it, just embrace it and see what adventures and stories might spring from that. Enjoy!