While winter is great time to plan for summer hikes, camping trips or hunting trips, don’t forego exploring the outdoors in winter because of the cold and snow. In addition to making a list for next summer, make a list of activities you want to do before the snow melts. Sure, you may not cross everything off the list, but at least you’ll have more motivation to get outside and enjoy the wintery landscape.
Even if the valley is snow-free, one can head to the mountains for a fun-filled day in the snow
With the first day of winter last Saturday, it isn’t too late to compile a list. Here are some ideas.
Hike a trail in winter that you normally only hike in the summer. Copper Falls, Myrtle Falls or Snow Falls look vastly different with ice formations and they can be easily accessible in winter.
Or go off-trail. Snow opens up areas that are brush fields in the summer but a playground to skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers.
A small creek can create impressive icicle formations
Learn to identify animal tracks in the snow. Snow allows us to see what animals have been around the yard or active in the woods. Are the tracks in your yard that of a raccoon or a skunk? Are the big tracks in the road those of a wolf or a cougar?
Go ice skating–just make sure the ice is thick enough. Frozen water allows us to check out places only accessible by boat in the summer. Many animals are active in the winter and if you learn to identify tracks, a light dusting of snow on ice provides an opportunity to see what is around the lakes or sloughs, such as otters.
Stay in a backcountry cabin. The options may be more limited than in the summer but there usually is less competition for a cabin. West Fork Cabin doesn’t require reservations but requires a few miles (or more depending on snow depth) to reach it. Snowmobilers, skiers and snowshoers can access various cabins in the region.
Both a wolf (left) and a cougar (right) were traveling on a Forest Service road frequented by snowmobilers and skiers
If there is snow on the ground, going outside on the night of a full moon barely requires the use of a headlight. Skiing or snowshoeing under a full moon is a memorable experience, whether in an open field in the valley or on a Forest Service Road. If the weather cooperates, plan for an outing around Jan. 16, Feb. 14 or March 16.
Then when there is a new moon, bundle up and go outside to look at the constellations. Find a constellation map off the internet and see how many you can identify. Look at the night sky through binoculars to see stars you can’t see with your naked eye. Stargazing may be warmer in the summer but in the winter you don’t have to stay up late.
Sometimes reaching the trailhead is an adventure
If you have a GPS and haven’t learned how to use it, winter can be the perfect time to pull out the manual and master the basics. Use the GPS on walks, to mark a route or to geocache. Geocaching is an opportunity to play with your GPS, find hidden containers and explore new places (learn more at www.geocaching.com).
Winter can be full of activity if you don’t mind putting on a few more layers or wearing a headlamp to see where you are going. Challenge yourself to get outside more this winter by making a list of activities to check off. You may find that winter becomes your favorite season.
