Hiking in winter

[stonemark]

yeah, I have tried once, hiking in winter is somewhat difficult than the other reason, but still can try~

[Lawrencia]

It's so much fun to hiking in winter. You guys ever try "Alafia River State Park" hiking? It's in Florida.

[John13np]

What part of Florida is that in?

I lived on the Ocala NF for about a year, and there wasn't really any good hiking around there...

[outdoorsben]

I love hiking in the winter, my pack is heavier but it's a whole other side to the mountain. I always pack a 2nd set of clothes and have my snowshoes or mini spikes/crampon's ready to go. As long as you dress in layers you'll be fine. Many time's i've stripped down to my base layer until I got to the top.

[Sergemaster]

I actually was planning to try out hiking in winter this year but here in NY/NJ, we have been getting SLAMMED with snowstorm after snowstorm which started in late December and just finally showing signs of lettig up by the end of January.

I thought it would have been too dangerous if not outright impossible to hike during that time frame. My last hike was the last week of November and it was terrific, the trials were empty, and the sights along the Hudson totally unobstructed by the usual foliage. Since most if not all of the trees had lost their leaves, I was able to locate points of interest I might not have seen otherwise.

Cheers,
Serge

[outdoorsben]

I actually was planning to try out hiking in winter this year but here in NY/NJ, we have been getting SLAMMED with snowstorm after snowstorm which started in late December and just finally showing signs of lettig up by the end of January.

I thought it would have been too dangerous if not outright impossible to hike during that time frame. My last hike was the last week of November and it was terrific, the trials were empty, and the sights along the Hudson totally unobstructed by the usual foliage. Since most if not all of the trees had lost their leaves, I was able to locate points of interest I might not have seen otherwise.

Cheers,
Serge

Get a pair of snowshoes and you'll be fine. It's great in the winter.

[Sergemaster]

That's what a buddy had suggested, but I don't have a clue since I've never tried using them honestly..

Another plus about snoeshoes is that those who do, wind up packing down the trial snow to a point where you can use the trail with just a regular pair of hiking boots and gaitors..

Bear Mountain is now regular boot hikable due to the influx of snowshoers during the previous month..

Cheers,
Serge

[Sergemaster]

Well I went on my first winter hike for the year of 2011 at a local trail known as the Alpine Loop, and here are my afterthoughts.

Although the majority of the snow had melted, there were still several spots and long sections of trail where it did not. what was once a moderate trail, what I found in it's place were sheets of ice athat I found to be slightly difficult to traverse safely since the hiking boots I was wearing (Montrails) were not made for this sort of conditions, which caused me to slip and slide, but I was able to overcome this by using my hiking staff as added support.

Besides the ice and snow, there were long sections of the trail which had turned into flowing streams or bogs of mud, in some places several inches deep. Although I was wearing long pants, before long my bottom cuffs were soon soaking weat and caked with mud.

When making my decent to the river 500 feet below, I had to watch every step, since once again there were spots of ice that if not navigated properly and safely, could have been a deal breaker.

After 30 minutes of careful going I finally reached the bottom. This trip was worth it the risk since the pay off was lunch along the Hudson with a circling Loon and a lone kayaker in the distance for company.

Now preparing to make my ascent back to the top of the cliffs, I encountered more of the same.. Long trail sections of sheets of ice, mud, roaring streams and waterfalls brought upon by the rapid melting of the remaining snow.

What would have taken me 3 hours to do on a good day, took an additional 1-1/2 hours due to the change in the terrain. Would I do it again absolutely, but I would recommend that the enquiring hiker pack a pair of gaiters, and a set of crampons for when encountering fields and trails of ice.

Cheers,
Serge

[stonemark]

There is no wrong time to hike. Just wrong ways of doing it...

I agree with you!

[ryanbrian]

Hiking in winters is also good but I like to hike in every season of the year because I love to go for hiking with all my friends and make party at the top of the hill with a great cold weather. Its a very fantastic experience.