• COVID-19 Park and Trail Closures
  • Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
  • Shop
  •  

SoCal Hiker

  • Find a Hiking Trail
    • All Areas
    • Arizona
    • Colorado
    • Los Angeles
    • Orange County
    • Oregon
    • San Francisco Bay
    • Washington
  • Trail Guides
  • Six-Pack of Peaks
    • Colorado Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Bergen Peak
      • Rocky Mountain
      • Birthday Peak
      • Horseshoe Mountain
      • Grays Peak
    • New England Six-Pack of Peaks
    • NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mount Umunhum
      • Mount Saint Helena
      • Mount Tamalpais
      • Mount Diablo
      • Mount Sizer
      • Rose Peak
    • Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Tumalo Mountain
      • Black Butte
      • Black Crater
      • Maiden Peak
      • Mount Bachelor
      • South Sister
    • SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mt. Wilson
      • Cucamonga Peak
      • Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy)
      • San Bernardino Peak
      • San Jacinto Peak
      • San Gorgonio
  • Backpacking
    • High Sierra Trail
    • John Muir Trail
      • Overview of the John Muir Trail
      • Training
      • Day-by-Day Itinerary
      • Resupply Addresses
      • JMT Discussion Forum
    • Lost Coast Trail
    • North/South Lake Loop
    • Rae Lakes Loop
    • Red Peak Pass Loop
    • Theodore Solomons Trail
    • Trans-Catalina Trail
    • Wonderland Trail
  • Gear
  • Forums
    • Latest Topics
    • Ask a Question
    • Campfire
    • Trails
    • Trail Reports
    • Gear Wisdom
    • Classifieds
  • Login

Where to go hiking this winter?

Home › Forums › Gear Wisdom › Where to go hiking this winter?

  • This topic has 0 replies, 1 voice, and was last updated 3 months ago by Paul BPaul B.
Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • December 16, 2022 at 11:11 pm #429557
    Paul BPaul B
    Participant

    If you hike in Yosemite Valley in the summer and you’ll be met with hundreds of visitors. But if it’s winter and you’ll have plenty of breathing room. Winter at national parks means quiet and solitude. Just be sure to check conditions and bring the proper equipment, whether that’s microspikes for your shoes or anti-freeze water bottles. Don’t let cold weather stop you from exploring. These eight trails in some of my favorite national parks may be even better in the winter.

    ​

    Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop, Death Valley, California

    Connect Golden Canyon with the Gower Gulch Loop, starting at Death Valley’s Golden Canyon trailhead, for a four-mile loop. November to February temperatures range between 40 and 77 degrees, making for ideal hiking weather. You can tack on additional sections for a total of roughly eight miles. Slot canyons, colorful mineral-deposited rocks, some minor scrambling, and expansive badlands views. It’s a perfect winter destination due to the lack of shade, which makes it very undesirable in the summer.

    Yosemite Valley Loop, Yosemite National Park, California

    Much of Yosemite is covered in snow this time of year, but the Yosemite Valley Loop remains relatively dry in winter and sees temperatures from the high 20s to low 50s. This 11.5-mile loop is one of the most underrated trails in the park. You connect all the major sites in the Valley with sections of solitary forest and riverside walking. Most of these trails are old wagon roads, so they’re relatively flat and pleasant.

    Jud Wiebe Trail in Telluride, Colorado

    From the top of this trail, which starts and ends right in town, you can watch skiers conquering the slopes at Telluride Ski Resort or imagine life in this charming mountain town. Telluride may be known for its snow, but thanks to Colorado’s 300 days of sunshine, this approximately three-mile hiking trail remains relatively dry year-round. And if you happen to visit after a big snowstorm, strap on a pair of microspikes and bundle up, and don’t forget to get enough warmth.

    When it comes to keeping warm, except layer up, you’ll need a rechargeable hand warmer to fight the cold weather. Such as the Ocoopa Union 5S rechargeable hand warmer which can heat for 15 hours constantly.

    Roundabout Trail in Steamboat Springs, Colorado

    This cowboy ranching town has produced more winter Olympians than any other spot in America, and once you’re there, it’s easy to see why. The town lives for winter — and while Steamboat Ski Resort is family-friendly, it has its fair share of expert terrain.

    Watchman Trail in Zion National Park, Utah

    The dry heat of southern Utah that typically deters hikers in the summer is long gone by the winter months. The Mars-like landscape of Zion National Park is just as beautiful in the winter — and more so if you happen to catch it with snow. In an easy three miles round-trip, this trail transports you to a land of sandstone spires and prickly pear cacti that bask under the desert sun year-round.

    Taylor Creek Trail, Zion National Park, Utah

    The five-mile round-trip Taylor Creek Trail starts in the less-visited Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park. This hike is a fantastic winter option because it involves over 30 crossings over Taylor Creek, which is frozen and easier to cross in the winter. Once you enter the finger of Kolob Canyon, the towering sandstone walls rise above you as you hike through the lush riparian zone.

    Mazama Ridge Snowshoe Trail in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

    It’s practically impossible to visit or live in Washington without noticing Mount Rainier. The massive and active volcano tops out at 14,410 feet above sea level and seems to dominate the landscape. You can play at the foot of Rainier, where you’ll find beautiful wildflower meadows, year-round, but there’s something a little extra special about getting out when the peak is covered in snow.

    Thunder Creek, North Cascades National Park, Washington

    The out-and-back Thunder Creek Trail covers 12 miles in total and climbs around 4,900 feet. It’s especially beautiful in the colder months when temperatures range from eight to 30 degrees. Winter is a great time to hike the North Cascades because although heavy rain falls on the area, the trees stay green, and the understory flourishes. The trail weaves through an old-growth forest of Douglas firs and cedars. The cloudy turquoise waters of Thunder Creek get their color from glacial flour, the result of modern-day glaciers grinding down bedrock into a fine powder.

    Hope you have a nice hiking experience and don’t forget to keep warm!

    Attachments:

    You must be logged in to access attached files.

  • Author
    Posts
Viewing 1 post (of 1 total)
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Log In
Log In
Register Lost Password

Forums

  • Introductions
  • Ask a Question
  • Backpacking
  • Campfire
  • Six-Pack of Peaks
  • Challenger’s Forum
  • Trails
  • Backbone Trail
  • Condor Trail
  • High Sierra Trail
  • John Muir Trail
  • Lost Coast Trail
  • Theodore Solomons Trail
  • Trans-Catalina Trail
  • Gear Wisdom
  • Trail Reports
  • Classifieds
  • Wonderland Trail
  • Most popular topics
  • Topics with no replies
  • Topics with the most replies
  • Latest topics

Recent Topics

  • Lost Coast Trail
  • How to deal with accidents while hiking in the winter?
  • Warm Tips for your hiking in winter
  • Some tips for hiking.
  • Keep your body warm in the winter hiking

Recent Replies

  • JMT hygiene questions – poop dirty toilet paper & soap
  • All about permits for newcomers
  • 1st overnight backpack trip with my son
  • JMT NOBO from Red Cones to Happy isles – how many days?
  • 1st overnight backing trip

Featured Trail

Hiking Belknap Crater in the Mount Washington Wilderness

Hiking Belknap Crater in the Mountain Washington Wilderness

Hiking this out-and-back route up Belknap Crater you'll traverse an other-worldly … [Read More...]

Latest Posts

  • Hiking Belknap Crater in the Mountain Washington Wilderness October 20, 2022
  • Hiking to the Simpson Reef Overlook on the Oregon Coast Trail August 25, 2022
  • Join Team SoCalHiker at the Climb for Heroes August 23, 2022
  • Hiking the Welch-Dickey Loop in the White Mountain National Forest August 18, 2022
  • Hiking Turtlehead Peak from Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area July 15, 2022

Recent Forum Topics

  • Lost Coast Trail
  • How to deal with accidents while hiking in the winter?
  • Warm Tips for your hiking in winter
  • Some tips for hiking.
  • Keep your body warm in the winter hiking

The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series

Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge SeriesThe Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series gives you an opportunity to explore your world while supporting a great cause. There are eleven challenges around the country. Hike or run them at your own schedule.

Flex your adventure muscles!

Learn more here.

 

Search

Tags

3-6 miles 6-8 miles 8-10 miles 11+ miles Arizona Backpacking coastal dog-friendly easy family-friendly High Sierra Trail hiking Hiking The John Muir Trail hipster inspiration JMT John Muir John Muir Trail Kings Canyon National Park LA County moderate Mount Rainier National Park Muir Monday National Park Orange County Oregon out of bounds Pacific Crest Trail peak peakbagging quote scenic Sequoia National Park Sierra Nevada Six-Pack of Peaks State Park strenuous Thru-hiking Utah vista Washington waterfall wilderness Wonderland Trail Yosemite

Copyright © 2023 SoCalHiker.net · Metro Theme on Genesis Framework with WPEngine Hosting · Contact SoCal Hiker · Sitemap · Privacy Policy