Hiking Beyond Summer

There is something magnificent about this season; the way winter transforms a trail. From the glistening snow and tree branches dipped in ice, to the thrill of an arctic adventure trekking through a serene forest blanketed in white, the urge to find the nearest hiking trail is almost irresistible. That is if you can look beyond the temperature on the monitor.

Hiking during the colder months is often overlooked. To many hikers, it has never crossed their minds that it is a possibility. However, a trail completely covered over feels like walking on clouds as the snow evens out rocky and rooty paths that are often challenging to climb during other seasons. Trails are also a lot less crowded! And with the proper equipment and enough clothing, a winter hike can provide a surreal experience unlike any other, something that avid hikers, Adam Szatkowski and Chris Landadio, identify with.

“Winter hiking feels vibrant in its own way. The sun reflects off of the snow and ice - it feels alive,” says Adam Szatkowski, an electrical engineering student that spends his free weekends hiking in New Hampshire.

But how does one get into such an activity, you may ask?

For Szatkowski, it was his first trip to Norway. Already on an unconventional spring break trip to the city of Bergen in March 2018, he found himself hiking Stoltzekleiven, a popular trail with about 800 paved steps to the top of Sandviksfjellet (1,284’). Little did he consider that ice would be covering the steps. As he and his girlfriend attempted to bare the path in their sneakers, he noticed several locals breezing by them thanks to microspikes, an essential winter hiking tool comprised of chains and spikes that slip over boots for added traction. That’s when it came to him, “ I want to do that too.”

A year later, he spontaneously found himself preparing for another cold-weather hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire on Mt. Israel (2,638’), and soon after, Mt. Tecumseh (4,003’) and Mt. Monadnock (3,166’).

“You get to see the world in whole different colors. You’re used to seeing everything in green and blue but now everything is white - and there’s beauty to that,” says Szatkowski

However, beyond the beauty of it all, conditions during the winter can be intense and plenty of precautions should be taken when considering hiking.

“It wasn’t until I was on top of Mt. Israel that I realized how cold the top of a mountain actually is,” says Szatkowski. “And on Mt Tecumseh, the range in elevation and icy terrain made me realize I needed microspikes. I have had my fair share of experiences during my hikes and I have learned something new that I need, like an extra pair of socks or gloves, each time!”

Although it’s important to prepare properly for every hike regardless of season, you should be even more intentional during the winter. Whether you are taking a stroll through the woods or up the mountains, weather and temperature dips can be sometimes unpredictable and it’s imperative to keep an eye on it before you leave the house and while on the trail.

A pro tip from Landadio who has hiked all over the Northeast and Pacific Northwest about finding a good trail? Check out the All Trails app and look for recent reviews. Especially if you are new to hiking in winter, let more experienced hikers test out the trails before you attempt to brave it yourself.

Doing research on the condition of the trail and roads to the trailhead is also something to keep in mind when preparing for a hike. “Sometimes roads are closed during the winter or in really bad shape - dirt roads are fine in the summer but may not be in once covered in snow,” says Szatkowski.

If you want to get started on a new adventure instead of hibernating indoors, cold-weather hiking is the perfect way to get outside and get a little moving! According to Landadio, some of the best casual hikes for beginners are rail trails or state parks. Grab some friends and find something that is close to home. It doesn’t have to be a mountain but something that is away from the road so you can experience the silence. Then, go from there, and maybe, just maybe, you find yourself seeing winter in a new lens.