Late fall wet snow fell on trails making some of the hiking a bit more difficult.   In these conditions it is often better to do shorter hikes, wear microspikes, and adjust footwear to stay dry.    In this period of time I also chose to hike on some backcountry roads which had been plowed and driven on, hiking on the shoulder with microspikes, out and back for a set period of time.    But for the most part I hiked on area trails – various routes in Kenna Cartwright Park, Valleyview Nature Park, the Bunker Road Trails, Rose Hill Trails, Dallas-Barnhartvale Trails, Uplands Trails, Ironmask Hills, and the Batchelor Hills, on the snow.

This is a transition season between regular hiking and snowshoeing and different hiking choices are required.    I wear quick-dry pants, I use good hiking boots, microspikes, a wind-resistant jacket, layers, and a toque.     I watch the weather forecast and try to time my hike and choose my location for the best conditions available.    Most of the hikes cannot be called “memorable” and some could even be called “a slog”, but they are all opportunities for exercise and time in the outdoors.

Winter is coming.    I am prepping my cross country skis and my snowshoes.