Winter hasn’t always been difficult for me. When I was little, I loved sledding and building snowmen. I would build igloos with the neighborhood kids and hide out in them until my teeth were chattering. As I grew up, winter seemed to become more of a pain. I’m a sunlight girl, and the dense clouds that packed the sky made me feel exhausted and frustrated. Last winter, there was the added issue of the pandemic, which made it more difficult than ever to find safe, indoor activities away from the cold. I decided to bundle up and brave the snow for some winter hiking, just to get out of the house. It ended up being an experience that made me healthier and more active in a time when all I wanted to do was curl up in bed. As winter approaches, I’m sharing some of my top picks for nearby trails that are well-maintained even in frosty weather.
- Parkville Nature Sanctuary
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If you are a beginning hiker, you can’t do much better than Parkville. It’s only about 25 minutes from campus, which is close enough for a day trip, but far enough away to get some space from school. The Bluebird Trail is serene, scenic and short at 0.3 miles. Old Kate and Whitetail Trail are longer, with Whitetail having a fair uphill section. The nature sanctuary has some small but beautiful waterfalls, an overlook and a picnic shelter. Afterward, warm up with a hot drink from Parkville Coffee (which features an upstairs sitting room with a bookshelf of local authors) or Incahoots (based in an old train car).
- Burr Oak Woods
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Burr Oak Woods has a wonderful nature center with some longer hikes. There are interesting rock formations and wildlife, but the trails are not well marked, so make sure to grab a map beforehand. Plan to do your hike while the sun is high so that you have time to make it back to your car before dark, as it’s easy to get turned around.
- Weston Bend State Park
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This park has a scenic overlook with a great view of the river. The trail closest to the overlook slopes downward at the start, so bring hiking boots and avoid it when muddy. Downtown Weston makes a fun stop for before or after your hike with plenty of interesting small businesses.
- Clinton Lake
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This park is located in Lawrence, and I actually enjoy it more in the fall and winter. The North Shore Loop is my favorite, as it’s heavily populated with wildlife and looks out over the water. This trail always makes me hungry, so I make sure to grab lunch in downtown Lawrence after I leave.
As someone who loves the outdoors, I hate the idea of spending three months inside. These trails are relatively easy to navigate in winter weather, plus they are populated enough that you’ll have other hikers around to guide you if necessary. When hiking, make sure to wear a coat, gloves, boots, thick socks, a hat and bring a snack and water. I also like to keep extra water and blankets in my car. In winter, it’s better to layer up and then remove those layers as necessary. Don’t get stuck on any trail (even a short one) in the cold without proper outerwear!