[hummus_bae]

You are describing a case where the desire paths are undesirable, as they may allow litter or vegetation growth, or hasten erosion of soil.

However, when you mention "even tell what the official trail is" is a desire path still desirable in this case? I mean, if no one knows there is an official trail what purpose does the desire path serve? Or is your concern about having interesting vegetation or whatever spoiled by the desire path?

I wonder if there is an optimum amount of desire paths -- where it is still possible to follow the official trail, but interesting diversions are also allowed.

[lukas099]

The desire path was never desirable. You should always stick to the official trail when you are hiking in parks that have them.

If the official trail is too wet to walk on, it's too wet to hike that day.