In November, we hike in the local hills of the area, staying at lower elevations while the snowfall builds up at higher elevations.   This month we have hiked in the Abbey Road Hills, the Outer Inks Trails, three routes in the Lac du Bois Grasslands, the Barren Hills, Valleyview Silt Cliffs, Sugarloaf Hill, Ironmask Hills, Opax Hill, Joyce Gulch, and the Deep Lake Loop.   None of these routes are signed or marked, but we know all the trails from experience. There are articles on this site on all of them.

Most hikers are seasonal and when the weather gets cold and snowy, the trails are quiet.   We can see recent history of any activity in the snow.   For most of these hikes, we saw more animal tracks than footprints.    Deer, coyote, mice, moose. squirrel, rabbit, and few smaller mammals have been busy in the shoulder season.   At this time of the year, the forests see little human activity.   Snow covers the ground and we enter a world of pine, fir, and aspen.

We hike 12 months every year, but in the deep of winter, we also snowshoe and cross-country ski at higher elevations.   At lower elevations, if the snow is 8″ or less, we continue to hike.   We wear good winter hiking boots, gaiters, and layered clothing.   We carry traction devices (microspikes work the best).   We pick trails that have north-aspect slopes when a melt happens (they tend to ice up less).   We return to trails that we know from December through February.   There are at least 25 good hiking routes that work well in the middle of winter (all of them are in reports on this site).

We also hike in winter because it is a special time in the forest.   We enjoy making fresh tracks in the snow.   We watch for animal tracks and we carry an identification guide in our packs.  We bring an inflatable thermarest seat to sit on for our lunch stop.   We carry a small thermos of hot tea.   We move quietly in the forest, in sync with the cold, quiet hills.   We travel slowly, but we take the time to notice the individual nature of trees and shrubs.   Some are old friends along known routes.   We touch the bark in simple recognition.   We remember the knolls, outcrops, ponds, marshes, gullies, thickets, pastures, and hills as we pass them once more, old acquaintances along known routes.

We welcome the brief appearances of hoar frost, ice fog, icicles, wind-scuptures, ice-locked puddles, sparkling snow, hummocks, and drifts.   Winter brings its own marvels, but also a number of challenges.     Knowing the route and taking precautions is essential.   Introduce yourself to a route, learn it well and then return every year.   And, make a few new “friends” along the way.