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Walk in the Winter Woods
Ó Ed Mitchell 2005
No matter where you live in our great country, there are apt to be plenty of hiking opportunities within a short drive. In summer these trails are frequently well traveled, especially on the weekends, but come cold weather the traffic tapers off. That’s unfortunate. For in winter, a walk in the woods can be a soul satisfying adventure. And what’s more these outings supply a counterbalance to the sedentary lifestyle and high calorie count that besiege us during the shorter days of the year.
There is an old adage that states - a bad beginning leads to a bad ending. It is certainly true when planning winter outdoor activities. For one thing the proper clothing and footgear is imperative. But with the wonderful technical outdoor garments available today, that shouldn’t be a problem. Next, all hikers need carry some means of navigation. GPS units are the rage these days; yet a good map and a compass work fine and never require batteries.
When selecting a trail, figure in your level of fitness. Now be honest, how good of a shape are you in? If the ground is free of snow, and the trail reasonably level, short winter walks usually suits almost anyone. But if you opt to trudge through snow, or up on a steep trail, recognize that it’s going to greatly increase your workout. And regardless of which trail you pick make a pact with yourself. If the demands of the hike or the weather turn out to be more than you expected, call it a day. No good ever comes from overdoing it.
Recently, I elected to hike up to a spot called Eagle’s Beak Point. It lies a bit over a mile from the road along a stretch of Connecticut’s Mattabesett Trail. The Mattabesett, and its sister trail the Metacomet, are presently being studied for membership into the Nation Scenic Trail system. And with good reason, these two trails provide some memorable views of the Connecticut countryside.
At the trailhead I slipped on a blaze orange jacket. The deer season was open, after all. Hunters are responsible folk, but hikers must do their part too. From my Jeep I retrieved a homemade walking stick; it is a welcome aide on any trail. Next, into a small pack, I put a map, a compass, a canteen, a camera and a candy bar.
The first order of business was to ford Bible Rock Brook. A few midstream rocks provided a quick bridge to the other side. From there I followed the blue blaze trail markers up through dense stands of mountain laurel. It was a short ascent, but sufficient to get my legs pumping and my heart rate up. At the top of the rise, the trail joined a rocky outcropping and then leveled off before meandering through a quiet stand of hardwood.
The bare branches afforded me long looks into the forest, views not possible during the greener times of the year. It was a chance to really get to know this place and all its mysteries. On many occasions, such views have revealed to me huge solitary boulders sitting deep in the woods. Dropped there by the ice age, these silent sentinels speak to the passage of ten thousands years of time.
In winter, smart hikers stick to the main trail. It’s just common sense. And so I kept the blue blaze markers in sight, bypassing several smaller unmarked trails. After a time I saw the path ahead nosed upward and through a clearing I caught a glimpse of sky and clouds. No doubt, my destination was near.
Moments later the trail opened onto a high rock ledge, overlooking the Connecticut River Valley. The view was stunning. Putting my pack down, I dug out my canteen. And while enjoying a well-deserved drink, I scanned the long horizons. Off in the distance, clouds cast dark shadows over the rolling hills. I sat and watched the shadows for some time. At first they seemed stationary, yet as I stared they crept over the vast tracts of forestland.
I reached in my pack and got my camera. Compact 35 mm cameras, be they digital or film, may be easy to tote, but give me a good SLR and a zoom lens. You have more creative control. The only photographic accessory I always carry is a polarizing filter. It saturates colors, removes glare from water, and deepens blue skies. No, I don't bring a tripod; they are too heavy for long walks. But I did recently get a monopod. It's very light and doubles as a walking stick. Good deal.
After 10 minutes of making photographs, I swapped my camera for the candy bar. As I ate, a red-tail hawk called from the nearby; its voice carrying the hills. I took that as a sign I should be heading home. With my pack on my back, I took one last look off the ledge, before rejoining the trail. Eagle’s Beak Point had proven well worth the walk.
A walk in the winter woods is a wonderful way to combine exercise with the outdoor experience. Yes, the warmth of summer is gone, but look at this way: the cool air in your lungs is the cleanest air of the year, and you’ll never have to contend with a mosquito. So shut off the cell phone, disconnect from the Internet and reconnect to the cosmos.
The End