Ways and Means: Take a Winter Walk

Take a Winter Walk

Snowshoes have been used for thousands of years. The current belief is that snowshoes developed in central Asia some 6,000 years ago. As people migrated from east to west, they brought their shoes with them. Along the way, changes were made for different types of snow conditions.  Originally they were instruments of practicality – a way to stay on top of the snow because the hunter/traveler peoples of long ago needed to eat during the winter, too! They relied upon their hunting skills to feed their families, skills that included the power of observation. These ancient hunters observed the feet of some animals, like snowshoe hares, were able to travel easily in the deep snow and tried to mimic them for themselves.

The first snowshoes were made of bent small branches, trimmed and lashed together and on the feet with animal rawhide and sinew. As time went by, ash became the wood of choice, though birch, willow and spruce have been used, as well. North American Indian tribes are credited with perfecting the features with four distinct styles: Alaskan, Ojibwa, Michigan and Bear Paw. There are still craftsmen that make these same meticulous style of snowshoe and now modern technology has added its own footnote – with light tubular metal framing, a special shape not much bigger than the wearer’s foot, neoprene or polyurethane decking and nylon harnesses to easily attach the foot to the snowshoe. These modern snowshoes are light, durable and easy to use. 

Snowshoes are an increasingly popular vehicle for getting out and about on the trails during the snowy winter months. Winter has its own special beauty and snowshoeing is not only a great form of exercise, but also a perfect way to explore the woods and trails that are transformed by the blanket of snow. Snowshoeing is an inexpensive sport all the family can enjoy. Take along a pair of ski poles. They are a great asset, helping with balance and making it easier to go up or down hill.

It’s important to dress right for this increasingly popular sport – you want to be comfortable with moving and you want to be warm but not overdressed. Snowshoe footwear begins with a thin synthetic sock and then a synthetic and wool blend sock. Most of the modern snowshoe harnesses can adjust easily to any winter boot that’s comfortable for you – no need for special footwear.

For most weather conditions, snowshoers will be most comfortable with fewer clothes than most observers would expect.  A layer of synthetic polypropylene or bi-polar underwear (tops & bottoms) will protect the snowshoer from evaporative heat loss, while a wind barrier layer will protect from convective heat loss (wind).  Both layers will be all that is required for most half-day (up to six hour) snowshoe outings.  An additional insulating layer such as fleece should be stored in your daypack for the stops along the trail.  Otherwise, the caloric expenditure of snowshoeing is usually more than sufficient to maintain body temperature. 

It is important to constantly be aware of the need to stay hydrated, especially during the dry winter months, so don’t forget to include water with perhaps an energy snack when your are out on the trail.  

The beauty of snowshoeing is that you do not need a trail or pay a user fee to enjoy an hour or a day.   Any area with public access that is covered with snow is a viable snowshoe adventure.  Snowshoers are able to traverse areas that would be all but impossible to traverse during other seasons, as the snow depth and frozen water provide the floatation necessary for the snowshoes. 

The development of snowshoe trails has been a recent phenomenon, as Nordic ski centers and nature centers have been taking advantage of snowshoeing’s dramatic growth while Nordic skiing has been in a steady decline over the past five years.  It is certainly easier to snowshoe on packed trails, but users should spend some time off trail to truly take advantage of the floatation and maneuverability of the snowshoes.

Stationary and moving water should be avoided until the ice depth is at least 4 inches deep.  And certainly, watch your step near streams or ponds – an unexpected immersion into ice cold water should be avoided.

             Snowshoing is also gentle on the natural world - The depth of the snow will protect the vegetation from damage and impact from the snowshoes.  If you venture above the tree-line, it is of utmost importance to stay on a designated trail, as the fragile alpine vegetation is even more vulnerable to damage caused by human impact, even though they may be snow covered.  The traction devices on the bottom of the shoes can mar exposed rock above the tree-line, in the same way as crampons.           

Interestingly, snowshoeing provides a welcome relief to non-hibernating animals, as the snowshoe trails will harden up overnight, making it easier for animals to traverse a region the following day.  The slow speed of snowshoers does not seem to startle wildlife in the same way as cross country skiing and snowmobiling.

In the Moosehead Lake area we have many special places for snowshoeing. Pat and Dave Vaughn are the owners of Moosetracks Cabins on the shores of Prong Pond, just east of Moosehead Lake; they have been thoughtfully designing and enhancing snowshoe trails on their property. You can plan a family get-away and explore miles of these nicely marked trails before returning to your cozy cabin and relaxing. Learn more by visiting them at www.moosetrackscottages.com

Some nine miles from Greenville on the road to Kokadjo are the 925 acres of Lily Bay State Park. Located on the eastern shore of Moosehead Lake, the park maintains about eight miles of trails that are ideal for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Lily Bay State Park serves up trails that hug the lake’s meandering coastline. Trails also follow the park roads into camping areas, where skiers and snowshoers can gaze at the distant mountains while having lunch. Surface quality: Skier tracked, snowmobile packed. You can read more at Trails.com: Lily Bay State Park | Beaver Cove Maine Cross Country Ski Trails | Trails.com http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=SGN018-027#ixzz16pFNK1b8

According to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Website, “Growing interest in winter recreation led to the creation in 1886 of AMC's Snow-Shoe Section, a special division of the club focused on encouraging winter activities and developing the new winter excursions. The Snow-Shoe Section—one of three such groups to appear in the Northeast around this time—had 46 original members. Their first annual report stated that 26 of the members owned snowshoes and were "tolerably familiar with their use."

Twenty of the section's original members were women, and from the start they took part in the most serious winter summit attempts, despite the day's social norms—and the customary long skirts that could quickly collect snow and ice along their hems.” Talk about tough! These women were no sissies!

Today the Appalachian Mountain Club has a strong presence in the Moosehead area – there are three wilderness traditional sporting camps to choose from for your modern snowshoeing adventure. These camps are located in the famed 100-Mile Wilderness area surrounding the northernmost points on the Appalachian Trail. The camps feature warm private cabins and delicious home-cooked meals. They have an extensive network of trails and ponds to explore, or you can just relax and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding their remote location. Find them at www.outdoors.org/lodging/mainelodges