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It happens every year about this time, sometimes earlier. A great hiking day--except for one thing, very cold temperatures, defined arbitrarily as below 0 F (-18 C) for at least part of the day. I am reluctant to go at first but then I remember the great days I’ve had under those conditions. Although partly psychological, enjoying cold days is mostly a matter of managing my clothing and hiking style to stay dry and comfortable. Really—it is possible. I’ve been optimizing the “system” for years based on learning from others and my own improvements. It is too complicated, however, to describe here. Keeping dry is essential, and do not overdress.
As I pulled into the Coreys Road PA, the car thermometer said -10 F (-23 C). I saw the pickup which I found out later was BillB and his group going to Seymour. No one had been to D-E-S for six days. I would describe the trail as 2”-3” of light snow over a very hard base of varying composition, sometimes wet. I chose Microspikes and still had to jump many wet spots on the trail and Calkins Road. Snow depths didn’t increase much with elevation (except for some drifting) and I stayed with Microspikes to summit of Donaldson. Temperature at the summit was 0 F (definitely an improvement) and I took my first break standing in the bright sun overlooking the Cold River valley. What a great spot!
Changing to snowshoes, there were several icy spots going over to Emmons, hidden by the light snow, so I had to be wary especially when descending. Still, I was there in 35 minutes (round trip in 70 min) so I shouldn’t complain. The great view up Long Lake from the summit is always a treat.
Seward is the most fun of the three because of the many twists and turns of the herdpath and the immediate consequences if one doesn’t stay near or on it. There were a few false paths, usually when people went straight where the path turned, but overall it was not difficult. I wanted to leave the summit quickly because it was so cold, so I didn’t stop or check the temperature on Seward. Still feeling good, I decided to have lunch about a half hour down the Calkins HP where it was “warmer”, still about zero F (-18 C) in the woods.
Before I knew it I was at the end of the herdpath and walking back toward the trailhead. If you are going, take care at the brook crossing as the ice is still thin. I dipped a boot in, just for test purposes, mind you, without getting my foot wet.
I became so warm walking out I had to unzip my jacket and remove the shells over my mittens—felt like a heat wave. Not that I was trying to break any records, but I was pleased to see 7:57 on the stopwatch at the TH. The temperature seemed so warm when I got in the car—all the way up to 15 F (-9 C).
Now that I have broken the “cold barrier” for another year, I will not shy away from a nice day just because of cold temperature.
As I pulled into the Coreys Road PA, the car thermometer said -10 F (-23 C). I saw the pickup which I found out later was BillB and his group going to Seymour. No one had been to D-E-S for six days. I would describe the trail as 2”-3” of light snow over a very hard base of varying composition, sometimes wet. I chose Microspikes and still had to jump many wet spots on the trail and Calkins Road. Snow depths didn’t increase much with elevation (except for some drifting) and I stayed with Microspikes to summit of Donaldson. Temperature at the summit was 0 F (definitely an improvement) and I took my first break standing in the bright sun overlooking the Cold River valley. What a great spot!
Changing to snowshoes, there were several icy spots going over to Emmons, hidden by the light snow, so I had to be wary especially when descending. Still, I was there in 35 minutes (round trip in 70 min) so I shouldn’t complain. The great view up Long Lake from the summit is always a treat.
Seward is the most fun of the three because of the many twists and turns of the herdpath and the immediate consequences if one doesn’t stay near or on it. There were a few false paths, usually when people went straight where the path turned, but overall it was not difficult. I wanted to leave the summit quickly because it was so cold, so I didn’t stop or check the temperature on Seward. Still feeling good, I decided to have lunch about a half hour down the Calkins HP where it was “warmer”, still about zero F (-18 C) in the woods.
Before I knew it I was at the end of the herdpath and walking back toward the trailhead. If you are going, take care at the brook crossing as the ice is still thin. I dipped a boot in, just for test purposes, mind you, without getting my foot wet.
I became so warm walking out I had to unzip my jacket and remove the shells over my mittens—felt like a heat wave. Not that I was trying to break any records, but I was pleased to see 7:57 on the stopwatch at the TH. The temperature seemed so warm when I got in the car—all the way up to 15 F (-9 C). Now that I have broken the “cold barrier” for another year, I will not shy away from a nice day just because of cold temperature.
Congrats!
I'll keep experimenting!
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