It looks like it is going to warm up a little this weekend, which means you really have no excuse not to get outside (remember those new year's resolutions).

As the temperature warms and the snow melts, we may be happy, but the trails aren't. When we hike, bike, or ride horses on trails that are wet and soggy it severely damages the trails. Some trails drain better than others, and thus fair better during wet conditions. Local trail builders have told us that the Mill Mountain trails tend to drain fairly well.

A good rule of thumb - if the trail is pooling water, thick with mud, and/or you have a burning desire to walk off trail and around the mess, then you shouldn't be on the trail. If we all do our part, now, to maintain the trails health, they'll be in much better shape come spring.  And if they are in good shape in the spring local trail builders won't need to repair them and can focus their efforts on developing new trails.

Roanoke Outside has a "Trail Conditions" page that relies on users like you to post updates. If you're out there and see a trail that people should avoid, or even a trail that needs some TLC, please post it and we'll do our best to get that information to the appropriate people.

Here are a few ideas for this and next weekend:

• Hike the Star Trail on Mill Mountain and then visit the Mill Mountain Zoo. When you're finished up there, come downtown and grab a bite to eat at a restaurant you've never been to before. Downtown Roanoke, Inc. has a great list of restaurants for you to check out.
• On Saturday you'll find me at the first annual Roanoke Snuggie Pub Crawl.  I have a weakness for Snuggies and can't pass this one up.  It runs from 3-9pm, but at 7pm I plan to split off and head over to Blue 5 for the Roanoke Outdoor & Social Club's 1000th Event Celebration. Both of these events are open to anyone - you know you want to come!
• Mountain Lake Conservancy still has lots of snow.  Rent some cross country skis and go explore its beautiful trail system.
• Did you know the temperature in a cave remains a constant 55° year round. So even if it's cold outside, it's relatively warm under ground.  On 1/22 the Roanoke Outdoor & Social Club is hosting an Introduction to Caving Trip - it's worth checking out.