tagg
08-22-2018, 14:15
I just found myself with 5 free days coming up in mid-December, and would like to use that time to practice some winter hiking. Most of my hiking has been 3 season, and though I've dealt with cold temperatures and a little bit of winter weather, I've never been all in on a winter trip. I'd appreciate any recommendations, especially anything that hits as many of these as possible:
GA, NC, TN, or southern VA. I live in upstate SC and don't really want to drive more than 4-5 hours.
I'm looking for a loop because I'll be solo, don't want to deal with a shuttle, and don't really love out and backs.
An area that has a higher probability (relatively speaking) of seeing snow. I know weather is completely unpredictable, but I've never been on a trip where I've had to deal with much snow and I'd like to increase the odds of that happening. So I'm assuming that means some elevation. I can be flexible and change my location at the last minute to sort of chase the weather, but I can't change the dates.
Relatively easy trailhead access - in the event that I get lucky and I do see winter weather, I'd like to be going somewhere that the road doesn't commonly close and make it impossible to get in or out (like Newfound Gap, for example).
Does not have to involve the AT. I've hiked everything from GA to NJ so far so I've seen it already, but I'm certainly not opposed to seeing it again if the loop involves part of the AT.
I usually hike about 18 miles per day in warmer weather, but I get that daylight will be short and snow/sleet/freezing rain will shorten my mileage, so I'm looking for a trip maybe 50-70 miles?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
GA, NC, TN, or southern VA. I live in upstate SC and don't really want to drive more than 4-5 hours.
I'm looking for a loop because I'll be solo, don't want to deal with a shuttle, and don't really love out and backs.
An area that has a higher probability (relatively speaking) of seeing snow. I know weather is completely unpredictable, but I've never been on a trip where I've had to deal with much snow and I'd like to increase the odds of that happening. So I'm assuming that means some elevation. I can be flexible and change my location at the last minute to sort of chase the weather, but I can't change the dates.
Relatively easy trailhead access - in the event that I get lucky and I do see winter weather, I'd like to be going somewhere that the road doesn't commonly close and make it impossible to get in or out (like Newfound Gap, for example).
Does not have to involve the AT. I've hiked everything from GA to NJ so far so I've seen it already, but I'm certainly not opposed to seeing it again if the loop involves part of the AT.
I usually hike about 18 miles per day in warmer weather, but I get that daylight will be short and snow/sleet/freezing rain will shorten my mileage, so I'm looking for a trip maybe 50-70 miles?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!