Winter is one of my favorite times of year to hit the trails. Hiking in the winter means there are less bugs, fewer people, and there is nothing as serene and stunning as a forest blanketed in snow. Winter hiking is also a great way to explore the high desert. Here are five especially beautiful hikes to enjoy in the winter months throughout the U.S.
Photo credit: Odessa Lake, Flickr CC
Winter Hikes
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Bear Mountain Trail, AZ
In the Southern states, winter brings cooler temperatures that make hiking in otherwise torrid climates much easier. At roughly 5.5 miles, the Bear Mountain Trail in Sedona, AZ is one of the Southwest’s best short winter hikes. Don’t let its shorter length fool you, though; it’s also considered one of Arizona’s hardest short hikes, as it climbs 1,800 feet in 2.5 miles and ends with a breathtaking view of Mount Humphrey, Arizona’s highest point.
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Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida
This thru-hike (it’s sectioned off into more manageable portions) begins in the Everglades at Big Cypress National Preserve and meanders more than 1,000 miles north to Gulf Islands National Seashore. Typically humid and wet in the summer, tackling sections during the winter months, when the mosquitoes are more forgiving and the humidity is lower, will be much more enjoyable for out-of-towners. It’s still wise to wear waterproof boots, though.
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Bryce Canyon’s Fairyland Loop, Utah
Making your way along the Bryce Canyon Fairyland Loop trail allows you to experience some of the most impressive geological formations in the country. Contrasted against a fresh blanket of snow, the red, orange and purple shades of the rocks appear almost dreamlike. Along this 8.6-mile loop, be prepared to descend, and then climb nearly 1,000 feet in elevation as you pass through a maze of earthen spires and towers. Crampons or snowshoes wouldn’t be a bad idea here, either.
Photo credit: Flickr CC
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Gorham Mountain Trail in Acadia National Park, Maine
At 4 miles, it may be the shortest trail on our list, but the Gorham Mountain Trail gets our vote due to the added variety of ocean views and sea air that accompany a brisk winter hike. The trail starts as a steady climb through a majestic spruce forest, gradually becoming more rugged as it opens to a peak overlooking the coast.
Photo credit: Flickr CC
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Odessa Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
While Rocky Mountain National Park sees more than 500,000 visitors a month during peak summer months, that number drops to between 50,000 and 70,000 people during winter, making it feel more like your backyard than a crowded tourist destination. Here you can climb through snow-covered aspens to the high-alpine Odessa Lake, taking in views of Longs Peak, Grace Falls and Glacier Gorge along the way. To tackle the roughly 9-mile loop during winter, you’ll probably want to bring snowshoes, cross-country skis or trekking poles.
Photo credit: Flickr CC
