Run-A-Muk to begin midday closures as Basin Rec urges better trail stewardship during warm winter

Using trails during muddy conditions can damage trail surfaces. Photo: Basin Recreation

Basin Rec asked trail users to be good stewards and help protect our trails and open space, use only when dry, frozen, or snow packed.

PARK CITY, Utah — Run-A-Muk Dog Park will be closed daily at 11 a.m. beginning Monday, Jan. 26, Basin Recreation announced Thursday. Trails in the park have already suffered damage this season as warm temperatures and sparse snow cover has created muddy conditions, leaving trails prone to rutting and long-lasting damage on both the trail and surrounding area.

“Muddy conditions have already caused significant damages to the trails, and we need your help to protect our favorite off-leash area,” Basin Rec wrote on their social media.

With temperatures expected to rise next week, they encourage users to get on the trails early in the morning while the ground is still frozen and respect the daily closure and posted signage.

While there is no end date for the closure, Basin Rec staff hopes to fully reopen the park when temperatures drop back down.

In their trails report Friday, Basin Rec also provided updates on other popular trails in the Park City area. The frontside of Glenwild is fairly dry and Discovery Ride and Summit Park trails are snow-packed.

“Everything else is a mixed bag of dirt, mud, and snow,” they noted.

Walking and biking on muddy trails causes significant damage to trail surfaces by creating long lasting ruts and divets. Trying to avoid muddy spots by stepping off also damages the surrounding open space, which takes time to recover.

Basin Rec asked trail users to be good stewards and help protect our trails and open space. Use only when dry, frozen, or snow packed.