Anyone winter hike

[Saltwater60]

My wife and I are looking for some winter activities. She likes to take photos and I just like to be in the woods. We have boot and are getting warm socks. She bought a nice warm jacket and I have hunting gear. I do have a survival backpack so I Will bring that.
Besides not getting lost and staying on trails any other thoughts or suggestions?

 

[Bustedknees]

We get too much snow upstate for that kind of silliness. Talk her into snowmobiles.

 

[MothMan]

Start out by going to a county park or such where the trails are groomed to start. Bring a pair of binoculars.

 

[Steal2B]

If you are on frequented trails, be prepared for suprisingly uneven iced footing from previous traffic, spotty sunmelt and freeze - thaw cycles. In that terrain you'll also be suprised how you'll abuse a different set of muscles trying to maintain balance.

My wife and I supplement winter walks/hikes with fresh snowstorm horseshoe hikes. But there are only a handful of opportunities to snow shoe. Heads up though, It is too strenuous for many and it works muscle groups differently than hiking. Similarly there are a few opportunities for cross country skiing.

If you have access to remote wooded trails, I second recommendations for snowmobiles. I spent many a day and evening of my youth traveling beautiful peaceful remote isolated wooded trails along streams.

 

[DavidL]

My wife and I just sold our snowmobiles and bought a pair of Tubbs snowshoes to keep active during the winter. Will probably hike part of the snowmobile trails. One of the snowmobile trails runs through our property so the trail is relatively flat and groomed. The Finger Lakes trail is right up the road from us.

 

[Saltwater60]

Snow mobiles are not in our near future. I have a kid entering college I said I would help out. I can’t do both.

 

[Saltwater60]

Damn good point on the trails icing up. I did not think of that. I plan to hit up like zoar valley, a few local parks, beaver island, Tonawanda and Iroquois wildlife management areas. I’m sure there are a few others we will hit up. I won’t go in deep snow and if this winter is much like the ones in the past the snow won’t be on the ground very long.
I think I will forego snow shoes for this year and see where this goes.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Bought my wife some nice silk polypropylene long underwear. We do a lot of outside work and she loves them.

Also some hand or foot warmer thingies. Cold feet and or cold hands recover by slipping them into gloves/boots if your out too long.

Hydration. You use up a lot of water winter hiking.

Spare socks in the backpack. One hot foot can ruin your whole day.

 

[Deplorable Me]

Layers. The day varies. Several layers not a single heavy one.

I've picked up extra fleece layers at the thrift stores over the years.

No cotton clothing. Cotton holds water and insulation value drops.

 

[stokes]

I do 3 to 5 miles every morning with my hounds on various trails in the state park and more often in the winter , the local rail trails,regardless of weather. The state park trails are iced over in many places from mid december til feb or march.Snow is surprisingly difficult to navigate, ice is usually not do-able.If you are serious about hiking in the snow you might want to try snow shoes.I've never used snow shoes, but I'm pretty sure using them is no cake walk either, at least at my age.Any kind of significant ice and you'll need some type of cleated soles.

 

[dean3690]

For snow shoes, I use MSR lightning ascent with the heal lifts. Those really save your calves on the inclines, but I'm doing ADK high peaks in the winter and you can get them without for flatter terrain. The frames are not slippery tubular metal, instead they are a vertical serrated metal edge that will dig in on icy and crusty snow and slopes. Make sure your snow shoes are rated for your weight including your pack/load out and get the floatation tails or extra long shoes as needed to stay farther on top of the snow. Try them with the boots you plan to wear and make sure they are a good fit. Mine work well with pack boots, but not with hiking boots. For icy conditions with little snow, micro-spikes (rubbery upper part that stretches over the boot with chain bottoms and small spikes on the chains) are light weight, take little room in your pack and work well unless you are doing peaks in the ADK or somewhere that is so icy you need crampons. I have the MSR micro-spikes in 2 sizes to fit different boots. Stay away from the Yaktrax which are junk. For climbing steep icy terrain with crampons, you should have an ice axe as well. Some robust adjustable trekking poles with multiple bottom attachments like rubber feet and snow baskets are good for general hiking, snow shoeing, etc. as you can adjust to the conditions and help with balance. Some good gaiters that come up to your knees help keep legs and feet warmer as they keep the snow and slush off your pants and out of your boots. Tinted ski goggles for the windy and snowy weather and snow glare. Make sure you have the essentials to bivouac and self rescue (fire starter & waterproof matches, first aid kit, food, water, knife/saw, rope/paracord, charged phone, LED headlamp and flashlight, extra socks, extra gloves, layered clothes [avoid cotton], poncho/tarp, TP, hand/foot/body warmers, whistle, emergency candle). If you are out exerting yourself all day on long hikes, take double the food you anticipate using as you may find that you really need it on that long walk back or if you get lost or have to bivouac or you may run across someone who did not plan adequately and your can always share and make a new friend or just impress a lib with how prepared and kind a gun toting freedom lover can be. Have fun together.

 

[JaguarJaguarGolf]

Snowshoe and everything else are great to know about. The parking lot is where you need the ice cleats . Don’t break a hip before you get on the trail .

 

[Jmac00]

oh ya, Im hiking my ass south, far, far south

 

[GOPerfect]

We invested in some rather decent snow shoes a few years ago and we also have boot cleats.

These are the cleats I have:

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200924531_200924531?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Clothing%20%2B%20Footwear%20%3E%20Footwear%20%3E%20Footwear%20Accessories&utm_campaign=Yaktrax&utm_content=107739&cmpid=53403374&agid=3200075882&tgtid=pla-4577541786691512&prdid=107739&msclkid=8ec2b317b4141d5e0ef9d288962393a1&gclid=8ec2b317b4141d5e0ef9d288962393a1&gclsrc=3p.ds

 

[GOPerfect]

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200924531_200924531?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Clothing%20%2B%20Footwear%20%3E%20Footwear%20%3E%20Footwear%20Accessories&utm_campaign=Yaktrax&utm_content=107739&cmpid=53403374&agid=3200075882&tgtid=pla-4577541786691512&prdid=107739&msclkid=8ec2b317b4141d5e0ef9d288962393a1&gclid=8ec2b317b4141d5e0ef9d288962393a1&gclsrc=3p.ds

 

[holdover]

Bought my wife some nice silk polypropylene long underwear. We do a lot of outside work and she loves them.

Also some hand or foot warmer thingies. Cold feet and or cold hands recover by slipping them into gloves/boots if your out too long.

Hydration. You use up a lot of water winter hiking.

Spare socks in the backpack. One hot foot can ruin your whole day.

Probably should get her a jacket.

 

[Saltwater60]

Probably should get her a jacket.

No jacket and you might end up cuddling nude in the forest.

 

[Shoots100]

It's still small game season, so don't just walk around, get some snow shoes and do some small game hunting too!

 

[Robin]

I used to be an avid cross-country skier, even designed a shorter and a bit wider ski for ski backpacking. I tried snowshoes and they are too clunky for me, too much work. Skis will go anywhere the shoes will with less effort and no awkward wobble-walk that uses muscles that were never intended to be used for that purpose.
Robin

 

[tc556guy]

My primary hiking group day hikes 3 x a week, 12 months a year. Very rarely do we cancel a hike; trees have to be falling in the woods around us before I'll pull the plug on a hike.

If you haven't been hiking in the winter before, start out slow. Hike local trails, hike with a group whose members can offer advice.
Once you get some time under your belt you can expand your trips to overnighters where you're not far from the car and trailhead should you have some reason to bail out and head for a warm home.
I personally love to night hike in the winter during a storm; trails look different at night than they do during the day, and add in a winter storm and its sometimes like you're in a different world. Very calming for me.

Winter camping requires a little more care in gear selection and safety than the other three seasons, so taking it slow is the best course of action. With the right gear you'll be comfortable and you can enjoy the world around you.

 

[Saltwater60]

My primary hiking group day hikes 3 x a week, 12 months a year. Very rarely do we cancel a hike; trees have to be falling in the woods around us before I'll pull the plug on a hike.

If you haven't been hiking in the winter before, start out slow. Hike local trails, hike with a group whose members can offer advice.
Once you get some time under your belt you can expand your trips to overnighters where you're not far from the car and trailhead should you have some reason to bail out and head for a warm home.
I personally love to night hike in the winter during a storm; trails look different at night than they do during the day, and add in a winter storm and its sometimes like you're in a different world. Very calming for me.

Winter camping requires a little more care in gear selection and safety than the other three seasons, so taking it slow is the best course of action. With the right gear you'll be comfortable and you can enjoy the world around you.

Thanks, but I don’t think I’ll be spending the night anywhere any times soon. That does sound cool and I have always liked the look of big chunky snow falling at night while driving so you never know.

 

[Saltwater60]

It's still small game season, so don't just walk around, get some snow shoes and do some small game hunting too!

That is the plan at some places where hunting is allowed. I told my wife she shoots first then I shoot for dinner. She likes the photo parts.

 

[tc556guy]

Thanks, but I don’t think I’ll be spending the night anywhere any times soon. That does sound cool and I have always liked the look of big chunky snow falling at night while driving so you never know.

Perfectly understandable. Like I said, winter hiking is something to start out slow with. Good luck!

 

[Saltwater60]

Did our first one today. It was an easy one with groomed trails and saw one bird, one chipmunk, and one red squirrel. It was snowing pretty bad, but it was still fun.

 

[1075tech]

I tried cross country skiing once as a teenager. Ended up on my back, head downhill, legs crossed and skis stuck in the snow. My gf at the time thought it was hilarious watching me try to get up.

I winter camped a couple of times when the boys were in scouts. Those were good times. Nothing like thawing the eggs so you could cook them. One campout ended early when the temp was forecast to get to -20.

Tonight found another COVID leftover - went outside to go to the store. First breath of cold, damp air, and it was like trying to suck air through a straw.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

We get too much snow upstate for that kind of silliness. Talk her into snowmobiles.

Or snowshoes.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

That is the plan at some places where hunting is allowed. I told my wife she shoots first then I shoot for dinner. She likes the photo parts.

I was going to suggest bring the Benelli along. You never know.

 

[SmallGameAddict]

Always always bring a first aid/survival kit.

 

[dsdmmat]

I used to snow shoe to the 400 yard line and back. does that count?

 

[Saltwater60]

Always always bring a first aid/survival kit.

I travel a lot for work so I bring what I call my stay alive bag. It has food water, socks, underwear, and extra base layer, first aid kit, soap, sanitizer, fire starter stuff, extra shoe laces, knives, GPS, signal mirror, and some other misc stuff.