Best Places to Hike This Winter:
When it comes to avid hikers, nothing can scare them off. Not even bad weather. They will always jump at the next opportunity to hike through the country’s snowiest and most magical landscapes.
Naturally, what these die-hard hikers should know, is that America is definitely at her most beautiful and impressive in the winter, offering a real-life wonderland of quiet, snow-filled landscapes to experience.
We’ve decided to make a list of some of the most impressive magical winter hikes across America that will make you fall in love with the idea of exploration. So, are you ready to live the adventure of your life?
Sentinel Meadow & Cook’s Meadow Loop, found in Yosemite National Park, California
Winter is a wonderful time to visit Yosemite National Park, with many opportunities for hiking, playing in the snow, and absolute solitude. The park’s monoliths are even more impressive during winter time, with the snow-frosted foliage giving up the spotlight to the rock formations such as Half Dome and Yosemite Falls.
Especially Half Dome is a miraculous sight: rising up to 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and 8,800 feet above sea level, the granite giant is like the park’s own North Star, as it is visible from all directions. As expert climbers need years of experience in order to get on the Half Dome, less trained adventurers can get to see the spectacle via the Sentinel Meadow & Cook’s Meadow Loop.
Snowshoe Loop, found in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
One of the snowiest places in the entire world, Washington’s Mount Rainier is a sight you cannot miss during the winter season. The Paradise Area of Mount Rainier National Park in Washington has over 600 inches of snow every year, which makes it a veritable winter wonderland for hikers. And if we’re talking about particular treks, the Naches Peak Loop Trail is super accessible (as long as it is weekend(, and the park has various snowshoe trails that are great for intrepid explorers, like the 2.8-mile Paradise Valley Snowshoe Loop.
Discovery Point Trail, located in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake is probably one of the most treasured gems of the Pacific Northwest. At 1,949 feet, it’s definitely the deepest lake in the whole country. It’s also extremely pure, hence the beautiful azure blue color. There aren’t any rivers that “feed” the lake, so it gets all the water from melted snow and rain.
Crater Lake is super busy during summertime, so in winter it’s a bit more serene. The park has an average of 43 feet of snow a year, which turns the place into no less than a winter wonderland that’s very hard to beat. On a sunny day, the lake is simply breathtaking, and the view can be easily seen from the trails.
There are many snowshoe and cross-country trails at this national park, but honestly, nothing can compare to the vistas afforded along the beautiful Discovery Point Trail. The 2.4-mile out-and-back trail is easy for most hikers, and it shows the best side of the lake, including wondrous Wizard Island.
The Watchman Trail, located in Zion National Park, Utah
The Watchman Trail is by far one of the best hikes in Zion National Park, as it simply becomes breathtaking during winter. If you have visited before Zion National Park, you will instantly recognize The Watchman, with its majestic towers showing off over the canyon.
The trip makes a total 3.2-mile loop around the monolith, and most hikers would be thrilled to go there, as it only gets 300 more feet in elevation along the way. It might be relevant to mention that the trail won’t actually take you to the tower, but rather to a distant viewpoint that comes with an impressive overlook of the valley. There, the Watchman can be seen from a distance.
Emerald Lake Trail, located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
It’s impossible to miss the dazzling lakes close to the Emerald Lake Trail, which is a wildly scenic trek within the Colorado Rockies. As the national park is oftentimes filled with passionate hikers on all kinds of bucket-list conquests, you will love to know that one of the most sought trails is actually really accessible to the vast majority of adventurers.
Emerald Lake Trail is a stunning three-mile hike that will carry you through some of the most interesting landscapes in Rocky Mountain National Park, which is seen by many as a heavenly beauty during the entire winter season. Besides, the trail is even less crowded during gloomy and cold weather months, which gives the hikers the chance to really escape into nature.
Black Elk Peak Loop, located in Custer State Park, South Dakota
Just because it’s winter, this doesn’t mean that we should discount Custer State Park, as winter is probably the time when South Dakota is at its brightest. Also known as Harney Peak, Black Elk is at top of our list of the best hiking trails in the state.
There are many reasons for that, but some of the most important is that the old fire lookout tower comes with a 360-degree view. Besides that, it’s also one of the most inspiring choices if you really want to catch a spectacular sunrise in South Dakota.
We’d only advise you to remember that the hike is nearly eight miles long, and it can be a bit tricky in some areas, so you might want to be careful when you’re hiking the Black Elk, especially during the winter.
Cumberland Trail, located in Cumberland Trail State Park, Tennessee
Tennessee has a total of 56 state parks, and there are plenty of things to see: stunning waterfalls, serene lakes, mountains, and backcountry wilderness all over the state. Among our favorites is the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park, with an oft-overshadowed treasure with some of the most impressive scenery in the entire Tennessee.
Originally known and mapped by Daniel Boone in 1769, the Cumberland Trail has now more than 300 miles long and comes with the best hiking spots in the country. The topography is very impressive, with a series of rugged ridges.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, located in Michigan
While many people would choose Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore as a summer destination, with its amazing cerulean waters and dazzling shores in the best #PureMichigan escape, the Pictured Rocks aren’t something to discount.
The cliffs and caves in the area freeze over completely during the winter, and the conditions are appropriate, you can even hike right down and watch the ice caves. It’s the most surreal experience!
Those of you who are a bit more adventurous can simply try ice climbing, even if it’s definitely for those who know better what they’re doing. Besides the ice caves, all that snowfall makes this the perfect place for some winter snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and even snowmobiling along the marvelous trails in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Breaks Interstate Park Loop Trail, located in Breaks Interstate Park, Kentucky, and Virginia
Breaks Interstate park is both in Kentucky and Virginia. The park is simply glorious, as it is marked by an abundance of nature, bountiful hills, but also sweeping canyons. The centerpiece of a five-mile and 1,650-foot-deep gorge that’s also known as the “Grand Canyon of the South”. It’s a wonderful place to explore nature.
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