Washout

From Trail-Finder -- Dedicated to getting you outside

A washout happens as a result of erosion on a steep hillside or along moving water.

Washouts happening along water usually take the form of moving water, either due to waves or a river, undercutting the ground, and causing a section of that ground to collapse. Since roads and trails often follow water, a washout will often take out trails.

Washout gulleys are narrow, sometimes deep ravines cutting straight down steep hillsides. They are often started by hikers or horseback riders cutting switchbacks and heading up or down steep hills off the established trails, damaging ground-covering plants. Rainfall and snowmelt then has a path to cut through and the washout gulley begins. Once started, they grow. Forever.