Winter.... I'm ready

[10-K]

Am I the only one that's ready for sub-30* temps and short days to hike in...

Winter is my favorite time to be on the trail, hiking at 7-8 PM in the dark when it's starting to really get cold and all that....

I'm counting the days...

[MuddyWaters]

And your chocolate doesnt melt!

[kayak karl]

And your chocolate doesnt melt!

ya gotta switch to Reese's Cups. those Snicker bars will break your teeth

[Papa D]

Let's do a winter hike 10K - I'm game - something out of Hot Springs?

[10-K]

Let's do a winter hike 10K - I'm game - something out of Hot Springs?

Sounds great to me... One of these days I'd like you to show me around the Shining Rock and Middle Prong Wilderness areas. I've hiked the Art Loeb and the MST through there but there's a lot more.

[The Cleaner]

Am I the only one that's ready for sub-30* temps and short days to hike in...

Winter is my favorite time to be on the trail, hiking at 7-8 PM in the dark when it's starting to really get cold and all that....

I'm counting the days...

+1 here Gotta Marmot Trail Wind Hoody on it's way to wear over 3 Smartwool and 2 Icebreaker base layers of varoius weights.Got most of them on Steep&Cheap.Got some for around town wear,just couldn't resist since prices were almost half off MSRP.After trying several polyester blend type base layer the merino wool seems to dry faster than the poly types.I'd like to be able to wear one and pack one then take my Patagonia Nano Puff pullover&Rain shell and that should get me through all but the worst of winter around here.Looking to go back through Rocky Fork and try to get into the Lost Cove area....See ya on the cold trail...

[Mountain Mike]

Just moved to SD from FL & looking forward to some ice climbing, snowshoeing & x-country skiing! My winter gear has been neglected for far to long!

[10-K]

+1 here Gotta Marmot Trail Wind Hoody on it's way to wear over 3 Smartwool and 2 Icebreaker base layers of varoius weights.Got most of them on Steep&Cheap.Got some for around town wear,just couldn't resist since prices were almost half off MSRP.After trying several polyester blend type base layer the merino wool seems to dry faster than the poly types.I'd like to be able to wear one and pack one then take my Patagonia Nano Puff pullover&Rain shell and that should get me through all but the worst of winter around here.Looking to go back through Rocky Fork and try to get into the Lost Cove area....See ya on the cold trail...

Did you ever find that lake?

[Hairbear]

love winter any state forest is completly empty

[Mountain Mike]

No bugs, less people, what's not to love?

[Lyle]

The best feeling of all:

Snug in your sleeping bag during a reasonably heavy, quiet snow fall. Or, alternatively, during a bright, full-moon night.

Nothing is as peaceful.

[The Cleaner]

Did you ever find that lake?

I'm pretty sure I was less than a mile from it when the batteries on my GPS died and then the back-ups were dead too.I had a map&compass but it was getting late so we headed down and made it to the gate which is about 1/2 mile down to old US23.At this intersection you can see the turn off up to Devil's Fork Gap.I did find in TN Viking's gallery some pics of the lake.He also had a route to it from the Higgins Creek side...

[The Cleaner]

The best feeling of all:

Snug in your sleeping bag during a reasonably heavy, quiet snow fall. Or, alternatively, during a bright, full-moon night.

Nothing is as peaceful.

I was out a few days each month last winter and found little snow.On one trip as soon as I got out of my truck the wind blew it seemed like 3 days,never letting up.It was so windy at Little Laurel Shelter that it took several tries to get my Svea going....wind still blowing when I got back to my truck.....

[4shot]

No bugs, less people, what's not to love?

ok, I'll be "that guy"...one thing (maybe the only thing) I don't like about winter camping is the fact that it gets dark in the woods around here about 4:30 PM. (very eastern edge of Central time zone). On the nights where it's too cold for a fire or not enough time to gather firewood, it can make for a very long time in the bag. Other than that, i do enjoy it .

[wornoutboots]

++1 Love the Winter!

[Maddog]

Am I the only one that's ready for sub-30* temps and short days to hike in...

Winter is my favorite time to be on the trail, hiking at 7-8 PM in the dark when it's starting to really get cold and all that....

I'm counting the days...

No sir, you are not the only one! I love winter camping! Maddog

[moytoy]

I'm jealous! Winter time in Florida is the time for hiking but I only get to sleep in below freezing temps three or four times a year.

[10-K]

ok, I'll be "that guy"...one thing (maybe the only thing) I don't like about winter camping is the fact that it gets dark in the woods around here about 4:30 PM. (very eastern edge of Central time zone). On the nights where it's too cold for a fire or not enough time to gather firewood, it can make for a very long time in the bag. Other than that, i do enjoy it .

That's what headlamps are for! Keep hiking just like it was summer hours.

[Toli]

That's what headlamps are for! Keep hiking just like it was summer hours.

​+1... No need to stop because its dark or cold out... Bring on Winter!!!

[Another Kevin]

I love hiking in the shoulder season in late fall or early spring when the leaves are off the trees and there are no mud, bugs, nettles or tourists. I had a great trip this past April in squalls of sleet. But I draw the line short of full-on winter. Ice axe, crampons, snowshoes, and clothing and sleeping gear for subzero temperatures are just too darned heavy.

This past year, winter never came.