Winter Hiking Tips Plan, Prepare, Explore! Don Weise Qualifications and References
Background:
- Life Member, Past Board Member, and Development Director, New York-New Jersey Trail Conference (Mahwah, NJ) - Co-Chair, West Milford Open Space Committee, Environmental Commissioner - Author of 2 hiking guidebooks - Hiking/trail running guide: led 600+outings in last 25 years - Volunteer trail maintainer - Castkill 35er What We Do: Trails and much more
Create great outdoor experiences on 2,165 miles of trails! Build, maintain trails, bridges, steps, boardwalks and more
Protect trails and the natural areas they cross
Buy land for trails, advocate, restore native plant habitats
Engage 2,400 volunteers in 100,000+ hours annually
Cost-efficient volunteer model fills gaps in park maintenance Where the Adventures Are Trail Conference Trails
North Jersey: 750 miles • Appalachian Trail, Highlands Trail, Long Path • All major state parks • 2 national parks/rec areas • Many county and local parks
New York: 1,415 miles • Appalachian Trail, Highlands Trail, Long Path, Shawangunk Ridge Trail • Hudson Valley: Harriman-Bear Mtn, Breakneck Ridge (Hudson Highlands SP), Sterling Forest, Black Rock, Storm King, Schunemunk, Fahnestock, etc. • Shawangunks & Catskills: Minnewaska- Sam’s Point, Catskill Forest Preserve Top 3 Misconceptions About Trail Making
1. “The trails just kind of make themselves…right?” 2. “I thought the park service/my taxes took care of that.” 3. “You use volunteers—so isn’t it free?” Primary staff duties: Conservation Corps:
Work with, plan & report to 181 parks Perform skilled technical work: - Trail construction and rerouting - Bridges, stone steps, crib walls Power 2,400 volunteers! - Plant native species, remove invasives - Recruit - Train Teach advanced skills to volunteers - Support Busy/steep hiking areas: Greet and educate users on: Preserve land & advocate for trails - Leave No Trace - Safe behaviors Inform & educate (books, maps) Make sure hikers are prepared Suggest alternate locations Design & develop trail systems Assist injured or lost hikers
Address environmental & safety issues Winter a glorious time to get outside
▪ Snow makes the landscape magical ▪ Evergreens “pop” ▪ Wide open views ▪ Amazing ice formations
▪ With less of these… ▪ Snakes ▪ Yellow jackets ▪ Ticks ▪ Mosquitoes/biting bugs ▪ Bear encounters Tips for a great winter hiking trip!
1. Plan & map it out. 2. Timing is everything. 3. Elevation changes everything! 4. Know your hazards. 5. Know when to say when. 1. Plan Your Hike…and Map It Out
Assess your group - How fit are we? - How agile are we? - What’s our slowest hiker’s speed? - Who’s our leader—who’s our sweep?
Trail miles ≠ road miles!
Evaluate conditions Steepness Elevation gain Water crossings? Ice or snow?
What’s the bail out plan? 2. Timing is everything
Know sunrise, sunset times (Sunset is 5:13 p.m. this Saturday)
http://sunrisesunset.willyweather.com
Start early, end early
▪ Use guidebooks for plan return time ▪ Leave some wiggle room!
…or have 1 working headlamp per hiker 3. Elevation Changes Everything! Dress and delayer for conditions
Pack & wear wicking layers: Dry = Warm
• Be “comfortably cool”--strip off layers before you sweat • Pack an extra base layer • Waterproof, breathable outer layer • Boots, gaiters, pants, shell, hat, gloves for cold and high elevation • First aid kit, bivy sack , space blankets
Hiking Mount Washington this month?
Average Low: -9 degrees (F) Average High: 10 degrees (F) Snow/rain/ice: 90% chance Average wind speed: 46 mph 4. Hiking is safe—but know hazards
Ice: Pack ice traction devices (microspikes or crampons)
Ticks: Check for ticks after every hike – even when it’s cold Fewer ticks on wider, well-traveled trails Wear light colors, long sleeves, hat Repel with DEET, Permethrin (shoes & clothes)
Snakes: Unlikely in winter but pay attention on sunny slopes Tread where you can see and give them space If bitten: 911, help victim, ID, don’t touch/elevate bite site
Poison ivy: On ground or climbing up trees Has no thorns Typically at the forest’s edge The Bear Necessities
Black bears:
Typically avoid humans…but like our food
Tightly seal or double bag lunch
Give ‘em space! ▪ Never approach, surround or corner ▪ If you see cubs—LEAVE! ▪ Never run or turn your back ▪ Back away slowly ▪ Speak in loud, calm voice ▪ Avoid direct eye contact
If bear “huffs,” snaps its jaws or swats the ground, you’re too close. BACK OFF… Signs of bear activity
▪ Scat ▪ Rock dens ▪ Trees: black fur or scratch marks ▪ Tracks in mud ▪ Attending your cookout 5. Know when to say when…
“Getting to the top is optional, Getting down is mandatory.” Ed Viesters, climbed every 8,000+ meter peak
“Reaching the summit is only half the job.” Unknown
The mountain will be here next time!
Know your bail-out options and when to use them. …and you won’t end up like Jack.
Hiking with little ones
• Plan together: include them in planning the adventure! Help with clothing, gear, food, water, meds
• Go Short: and know your bailouts
• More “payoffs” per mile: lakes, views, waterfalls
• Eye on kids: - Cliffs, caves, water & wildlife - Watch for fatigue Read the writing on the trees
1. Write down your route plan: RED → right on BLUE → left on GREEN → END
2. Watch for missing markers
3. If you lose your trail: - Walk back to the last blaze you saw - The right way may not be the most-worn path
Route not making sense? Turn back! Health benefits of hiking
1. Lowers risk of cancer, heart disease, obesity
2. Improves/strengthens heart, lungs, musculoskeletal system - Back, core - Hips, quads, hamstrings and glutes
3. Regulates blood sugar, blood pressure
4. Enhances balance, coordination
5. Promotes better sleep, slows aging
6. Improves mental wellness - Reduce stress, anxiety, depression - Boost memory, cognitive ability
7. Social: make new friends, bond with family Getting ready for your next big adventure
#1. Uphill with trekking poles!
Builds: - Muscle/power, including upper body - Cardio - Elasticity - Coordination, stability Benefits of running—minus the impact
Other benefits of poles: - Hiking with poles burns 15% more calories - Protects your knees - Cross creeks, icy areas more safely Getting ready (cont’d.)
#2. Add these to build fitness faster:
Distance: increase endurance Pack weight: increase strength, cardio Speed: increase cardio, endurance Cross training: calisthenics, yoga Consistency: find your go to park and make a habit of it Trail running: why?
Quality workout in nature
• More intense cardio than hiking • Better strength training than roads • Coordination, agility, balance • Quick workout or preview a hike
Little-known secrets about trail runners:
1. Walk the big hills. 2. Enjoy slow hikes too (we just want to be in nature, whatever we’re doing) 3. Easy-going, slightly crazy. 4. Trail races = alcohol-free parties in disguise. Trail running Getting started
• Start on rail trails, woods roads, grass • Walk when you need to, run when you can • Run with a friend or group, small loops
Monthly Trail Conference Trail Runs:
• 5-9 miles year-round • Multiple pace groups • Options to lengthen or shorten
Facebook Group: “Trail Conference Trail Runs” Let’s Go! Local Hikes Franklin Lakes Nature Preserve
• Franklin Lakes acquired reservoir in 2006, opened park in 2011. • 120-acres: hiking, fishing, birding • Floating bridges take you across the water
Trails: Preserve Shoreline Loop (white): 1.5 miles Island Bridges Trail (blue): 0.5 mile Red Trail: connector to High Mountain Park Local Hikes Vista Loop, Ramapo Reservation
• 4.5 mile loop hike • Waterfall • Two lakes • Excellent views • Prickly pear cactus
Connects to hundreds of miles of trails Local hikes Pyramid Mountain & Tripod Rock
• Dozens of miles of trails • Impressive Highlands geology: perched boulder, glacial erratics, overlooks, waterfalls, wetlands, wildlife • Visitor Center • Popular: less crowded in winter and on weekdays Backcountry in NJ: the Northern Highlands
Appalachian Trail New York New Jersey A. Hewitt SF Ringwood SP Long Pond Ironworks SP Ramapo Reservation Wawayanda SP
Norvin Green: North
Pequannock (Newark) Watershed Ramapo SF
Norvin Green: Soutth The Northern NJ Highlands
- Appalachian Trail: Greenwood Lake - Norvin Green State Forest - Ringwood State Park - Wawayanda State Park & Terrace Pond - Pequannock Watershed - Ramapo Reservation & State Forest - Abram Hewitt State Forest - Highlands Trail
North Jersey map set Norvin Green & Ringwood Trails
Separating Suburbia from Sylvania
Norvin Green - Mini-Adirondacks: bare rock summits, pitch pines, mines and waterfalls - Northern Norvin: even wilder, undiscovered
Ringwood State Park & surrounding - Multi-use options (hiking, trail running, mountain biking, XC skiing) - 10 wild miles: Stonetown Circular Trail
Hike info: [email protected] Wild West Milford
Purple Mountain Majesties
Bearfort Mountain: - Puddingstone speckled with quartzite - Serious backcountry trails - Skytop lakes - Surprise Lake - West Pond - Terrace Pond - Hanks Pond - Bearfort Fire Tower - Bare rock summits, great views
Hike info: [email protected] Delaware Water Gap to High Point
High Point State Park: Massive tri-state views, cedar swamp, lakes, XC skiing, nature center, camping, 15,413 forested acres, 50+ miles of trails
Stokes State Forest: Tillman Ravine, Sunrise Mountain, camping, 16,447 forested acres, 60+ miles of trails
Delaware Water Gap National Rec. Area: Dozens of waterfalls, Crater Lake, Van Campens Glen, historic villages, Delaware River, 70,000 acres, 100+ miles of trails
Worthington State Forest: Delaware Water Gap & Mt Tammany, Sunfish Pond, camping, 27 miles of trails. Popular, crowded. Biggest mountains for your drive: Catskills, Shawangunks
Catskill High Peaks (35 over 3,500 feet!) Shawangunks: • Minnewaska, Sam’s Point, Mohonk Preserve • Shawangunk Ridge Trail • The Long Path
Hike Finder: www.nynjtc.org/hike-finder-map Guided Hikes: [email protected] Harriman: Hiking Mecca
Ready-made adventures right across the river:
Harriman & Bear Mountain State Parks
- 52,000 acres - 250 miles of trails - 19-mile stretch of the A.T. - Inspiring views, climbs - Scenic lakes, wetlands - Impressive iron mines - No hunting!
37 hikes: no car shuttling necessary Top 10 Destinations in Harriman-Bear Mountain
1. Best 360 degree view: Bear Mtn
2. Finest Hudson River view: Bald Mtn
3. Most amazing mine: Pine Swamp Mine
4. Toughest climb: Pyngyp Mtn
5. Best rock scramble: Lemon Squeezer Top 10 in Harriman (cont’d.)
6. Non-stop views: West Mountain-Timp
7. Most scenic trail: Ramapo Dunderberg
8. Coolest Cave Shelter: Stockbridge Mtn
9. Best lakes:
- Most scenic/secluded: Skenonto
- Largest: Sebago (301 acres)
- Best legal swimming: Welch
- Best lake loop: Island Pond
10. Best historic remnant: Dunderberg Mountain
spiral railway and tunnels What is Circuit Hikes in Harriman?
First comprehensive guide to 37 loop hikes in Harriman, Bear Mountain
• Trail maps
• Elevation profiles
• Short & long loop options
• History, photos
• 8 multi-use chapters: running, skiing, MTB Time-distance-difficulty →
Hike Attractions →
GPS coordinates →
Hike elevation profile Why I Support the Trail Conference
1. Connects me with nature, protects our parks. 2. Enhances my mental and physical health. 3. Future of trails depends on survival of Trail Conference 4. Efficient, volunteer-powered, results-oriented 501c3 5. Trails enhance my property values. 6. I want our “Trail Culture” to survive - Trails keep people in NJ - If not for trails, I’d be out west
Trail Conference is my top charity, in my estate plan Invest in the future of trails and public land Member support the key to survival
• Trail Conference invests $3 million to keep trails open, safe
• Hiking the trails are free—but great trails require great care
• Supporting the Trail Conference is an investment in your property values, quality of life, and health and wellness
How to support trails:
www.nynjtc.org/donate HAPPY TRAILS!
www.nynjtc.org END