SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST— Land managers here are reminding trail users, both motorized and non-motorized, to practice TREAD principles when using forest trails during this sensitive freeze-thaw season. 
Although the winter weather was mild, road and trail beds remain vulnerable this time of year to deep rutting or the creation of mud holes along trail and road systems. That increases the time and expense for the Forest Service planners and trail partners who work hard year around maintaining them.
The acronym TREAD stands for:
TRAVEL responsibly.
RESPECT the rights of others.
EDUCATE yourself.
AVOID sensitive areas.
DO your part.
National forest trails can incur substantial resource damage during spring thaw. Trails experience spring storm damage as well, where downed trees may result in impassable trails, some even deep into a trail system. Patience is requested as forest staff and partners work to clean up trails and make ready for visitors. 
As with trails under the management of the Minnesota DNR, the Superior’s ATV trail system is open May 1- Oct. 31.
“Our trails cross a mosaic of landownership to ensure connectivity, our staff and partners work hard year around to ensure these trails are safe and accessible,” says Michelle de Leon, developed recreation program manager on the Superior. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners like the DNR and the many trail associations across the forest to not only maintain the trails and access, but also in working to adapt policies and procedures to allow for more flexibility as varied seasonal weather continues.” 
Road restrictions
National forest system roads within the Superior have been in seasonal spring load restriction of four tons per axle for more than a month. 
“Our main goal is to reduce negative impacts to road surfaces like rutting, washouts, and other resource damage that vehicular traffic can cause during the spring” said Preston Tripp, civil engineer on the Superior National Forest. 
State and county spring load limits are in effect for all other roads. Limiting heavy loads in the spring on roads in freeze-thaw environments like Minnesota helps to protect road structure. Load limits are expected to continue into May.