Ms Elleneous

I was on a hiking page the other day on social media perusing through as I often do when I saw that someone had posted about a nearby trail that I was interested in with the caption, “Oh I can’t wait until spring so I can hike again!” I thought to myself, “what the hell does that mean? Hike again? Like, you stopped? What?”

Ok, ok I get it. I understand that there are many people that pass the cold winters of the northeast by curling up on their couch and leaving the trails behind. I am not one of those people and you don’t have to be either. I am here to say that winter hiking is so worth it.

Winter hiking holds great wonders for those that are willing to gear up and get out. I am no athlete, no serious career hiker, I am just a middle aged woman that enjoys time outside and winter sure isn’t going to stop me. Actually, I have found that winter hiking helps me get through the dreary dark months that used to give me the serious blues. Well now the only blues I get are the gorgeous ice formations I find out on the trails. Let me go over why winter hiking is worth all the trouble and you can make up your own mind.

You’ve got the place to yourself

In the winter you can find you have the trail all to yourself. I find hiking meditative and relaxing. I enjoy it when there are not thralls of people on the trails and I can have a little peace away from the world. The winter offers exactly this. There are days that I will see no one else on the trail and I will feel like it’s all mine. On cold days or following snow even the most popular trails can be enjoyed without crowds to maneuver around. I will say that because there are few and sometime no other people out on the trails, it becomes important to make sure someone knows where you are going and when to expect you back. In the winter there is a much higher chance that if something should happen, like an injury, that no one would be along anytime soon to help. So a fully charged phone and someone thinking about you are good things to have.

Different Wildlife

With fewer people comes more wildlife. When the trail has been quiet and unused for hours the animals in the area have not been scared away by anyone. If you can move quietly, you can catch a glimpse of animals that take to the deeper woods during other parts of the year, away from noisy trails. The winter offers a different set of wildlife than the spring and summer months do. It also offers the opportunity to see more wildlife tracks and signs. The snow makes spotting tracks easy. When I started winter hiking, I was amazed at both the abundance and variety of tracks I found everywhere. Deer, raccoon, squirrel, rabbit, skunk, and even coyote tracks are frequently crossing back and forth across the trails I walk. Wild turkeys move through in groups leaving parades of tracks to follow. The droppings or scat of animals becomes easy to spot also. In New Jersey as well as other areas cardinals can suddenly be found flitting all over the place. Woodpeckers are also more heard and seen easily .

No leaves

This one might sound a little weird. Most people don’t like the bare brown trees of the winter, finding them depressing and sad looking. However, without those pesky leaves, I can suddenly see farther than at any other time of year. With all those leaves gone, I have an unobstructed view of the woods. This means seeing animals farther off in the woods. It means seeing objects like mine cars, old tractors, or railroad remnants that the plants would so often conceal. With the leaves out of the way I can see geography and features of the land around me that would have been completely missed otherwise. In the winter the same old trail can become almost new with all the additional things that can been seen.

Nothing to BUG you

This is a big time plus. There are no mosquitoes to be found in winter. No black flies to buzz around your head. No horse flies to bite at your arms and legs. No swarms of gnats to fly directly into your eyes and up your nose in the winter time. You can be a little less concerned about getting ticks. (In New Jersey ticks can still be active in the winter, so remain vigilant). Also because it is cold you are already fully covered head to toe and most likely comfortable that way.

Ice!

Ice is so very underrated. In the woods ice puts on a show that is mesmerizing. When ice and snow settle on trees it can glitter and glisten like diamonds. Ice can creep over rivers and streams making formations that can be studied for hours. Frozen waterfalls and hanging icicles are enchanting to anyone passing by. It is one of my favorite things to photograph in the winter.

Going where you couldn’t before

In the winter when the ground is frozen you may find you can access places you couldn’t before. Permanent wet spots on trails now freeze over allowing for passage. Lakes and streams can be crossed when they could not have been any other time. The ground is firm and easy to walk on with the right footwear. You can also swap out your boots for cross country skis or snowshoes and really mix it up.

Beating the Winter Blues

This may not be true for everyone but it is certainly true for me. Having an activity that I truly enjoy and that I continue through the winter months has made a very big difference in my life. I spent many years dreading the winter months, especially the time after the holidays when the lights come down and the world is gray, but now that is not the case. Putting on my layers and getting out there has shifted my feelings. I enjoy these days, as brief as they may be, and I also find that after a good cold hike on a winter day it is easier for me to go home, relax, be warm, and rest. I have no cabin fever, no restlessness, no dread and doom when they call for snow. I have something I can still look forward to.

But it’s so Cold

Hiking in the winter does take a little preparation. You need to dress properly and have a few additional items in your pockets, but I promise if you take the time and get your gear right you will be comfortable. First thing is a good base layer. It doesn’t need to be some crazy high tech, high performance , new age fabric. Plain old long underwear work just fine. You can go with the fancy stuff if that’s what you enjoy, but it is not necessary. I choose plain old cotton long johns like I have had since I was a kid. Then, have a good top layer. On cold dry days, I often just throw on sweatpants as my top layer but I do have flannel lined, waterproof, windproof trail pants that I use when the temp dips below 20 or when it is wet or has recently snowed. Then a winter coat. I have a fleece lined waterproof ski coat that keeps me comfortable. I usually keep the side vents open on my coat unless it drops below zero, in which case those get zipped up too. Nothing I have is fancy or name brand, but get what you like. Next are your accessories: gloves, hat, scarf, neck warmer, ear warmers, and good socks. Pick what keeps you warm and is comfortable. I will warn against over-dressing. I can almost guarantee the first couple of times you go out you will over dress and then under dress and then find your balance. Too much on and you will be sweating like a beast in no time. Sweat in freezing temperatures is really not your friend. Not enough and you will be uncomfortable; your skin may suffer and you risk injury from cold muscles. There is a happy medium though, I promise. I know that when I start out at the trail head just the slightest bit cool, not cold, that I am going to be comfortable. Wearing items that can be taken off or added help too. Wear shoes that are appropriate for what you are doing. If it has just snowed 3 inches and is 15 degrees out do not put on your cross trainers. Get out your pack boots.

There are a few extra items you may want to have but it is a personal choice kinda thing. I suggest tissues in your pocket. Your nose will run when it is cold and a few tissues are nice to have. The tissue packets even feature inspirational sayings these days so, ya know, go for it. Another item you may want to consider having is a pair of crampons. I know it is a silly word. Crampons or micro spikes attach to the bottom of your boots to allow for more traction on icy surfaces. They work great. They can be a real life and ass saver going up and down hills or over any ice. Something else you might consider using are walking poles. Walking poles can help with balance and assist you in avoiding falls. They often come with a snow point option that will work well in snowy and icy conditions. So damn the cold, conquer the winter, beat your blues, and hit those trails.