"Applying 1/2 inch of stone dust on a frozen track would likely result in
a slippery, unstable surface prone to refreezing, offering poor traction, and potentially creating a messy and hazardous condition upon thawing.

Here's a breakdown of why this is the case:

    Slippery and Unstable: Stone dust consists of fine particles that compact into a dense, non-porous layer when wet. When this layer freezes, it becomes hard and potentially very slick, especially if any moisture is present on the surface or if the particles don't "bite" into the underlying ice. This creates poor traction, which is a major safety hazard for both people and animals.

    Prone to Refreezing: Stone dust's non-porous nature means water doesn't drain through it easily; instead, it holds moisture near the surface. This standing water will quickly refreeze as temperatures drop, creating a continuous cycle of hazardous icy conditions.

    Poor Traction: Unlike coarse, angular materials like #57 trap rock or traction grit, which provide mechanical grip by biting into the ice, fine stone dust does not offer effective traction on a frozen surface.

    Messy and Hazardous Upon Thawing: When the material thaws, the trapped moisture combined with the fine dust will create a muddy, soft, and potentially deep mess, which can be hard to navigate and manage.

    Clumping: As one report notes, in freezing weather, stone dust can clump up into hard, uneven balls, making the surface very hard and uneven for movement.

For frozen surfaces, materials that provide mechanical traction, such as coarse sand, grit (like chicken grit/cherry stone), or crushed angular gravel, are recommended over fine stone dust."