Unpopular opinion: The social trails around Lake Serene are causing real damage

Last weekend on the Lake Serene loop, I saw many new paths made by hikers going off trail. This breaks down the soil and hurts plants that keep the hillside stable. How do we get people to stick to the main trail without sounding preachy?

3 comments

3 Comments

jake2611mo ago

Do we see that soil washing away from these shortcuts could be filling up the lake's feeding streams? All that loose dirt washes down with rain and blocks the water flow. That hurts the lake's clean water and can harm fish homes. I've noticed the streams get muddy right below where new paths are cut.

olivia_rivera341mo ago

Saw three different social trails just on the climb up to the first waterfall last month. At this rate, people are gonna think the "loop" is actually a choose-your-own-adventure maze. Maybe we should just put up a sign that says "Your secret shortcut is less secret and more just killing the ground cover, thanks.

quinn_burns1mo ago

I used to take shortcuts and didn't see the problem. Then I helped with a trail cleanup and saw how bare dirt spreads where people walk off path. It causes more erosion than I realized, just like Jake said about the streams. Now I tell everyone to stay on the main trail. Those social trails ruin the place for everyone.