If you’re anything like me, you always get a little sad at the end of the fall when it gets dark early, snow falls, and life gets particularly busy preparing for the holidays. Winter means the end of hiking season, right? Wrong!
I didn’t grow up skiing or snowboarding, so I always thought my options for spending time outside in the winter were basically nonexistent. But at the start of last winter, I did some research and discovered many of the hikes I’d enjoyed in the summer heat were still just as doable (and beautiful) covered in snow. As long as you have the right equipment and knowledge, winter hiking is something that can add fun and adventure to your short winter days. This post will outline my favorite winter hikes in Utah, winter hiking equipment must-haves, and safety tips for recreating in the snow.
My Favorite Winter Hikes in Utah
I'm going to kick things off by sharing my list of favorite winter hikes in northern Utah. Always remember to check the current conditions of the trails before hiking. Most trails have fairly current reviews on the AllTrails app, so that's a great place to check before making any plans. If you click on the name of the trail, I've linked each one to its AllTrails page. Even when a trail says it’s rated “easy”, that means something entirely different in the winter. I always expect a winter hike to be at least moderate, which is something to keep in mind!
3.3 miles round trip, easy, 538 ft elevation gain
Donut Falls is a trail to a waterfall in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It’s a heavily trafficked trail, even in the winter. The area is very popular with sledders, and the parking lot can get full pretty quick on the weekends, so I recommend either going early in the day or on a weekday. Big Cottonwood Canyon is a huge destination for skiers as well, so be aware of traffic in the canyon. The waterfall freezes each winter, and it’s a beautiful trail through the snow-covered pine trees!
2.5 miles round trip, moderate, 629 ft elevation gain
Willow Lake is a much less frequented route than Donut Falls. The trail climbs steadily up a mountainside covered in aspen trees and ends at a small lake. The lake dries up a little in the winter, but it’s still a great view! The trail is a loop, so you can walk the whole way around the lake. It’s a popular area for snowshoeing, so the trail is typically fairly well packed.
2.2 miles round trip, easy, 534 ft elevation gain
Gloria Falls is a stop along the route to both Red Pine and White Pine Lakes. In the summer, it’s a roaring waterfall, but in the winter, it turns into a more subtle water flow under the snow. The trail weaves in and out of beautiful pine trees and has gorgeous views of the mountains in Little Cottonwood Canyon. I've done the trail in the summer and winter, and both times I would've definitely gotten lost without my downloaded map on AllTrails. Because the trail branches off into the paths to Red Pine Lake, White Pine Lake, Maybird, and Gloria Falls, there are a lot of opportunities to take a wrong turn, so make sure you have the navigation materials you need to stay on track.
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can attempt the 6.7 mile trip to Red Pine Lake, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a fairly experienced hiker as the trail gets less packed the higher up you go. This route is popular with skiers, so be aware of your surroundings and remember, skiers get the right of way!
3.2 miles round trip, moderate, 830 ft elevation gain
Stewart Falls is near Aspen Grove in American Fork Canyon. The trail is popular, even in the winter, so I recommend going early or on weekdays. Dogs are also allowed on this trail, so if your pup wants to join you on your wintry adventure, they’re welcome to as long as they’re on-leash. The trail begins in a valley surrounded by cascading mountains, near the Aspen Grove trailhead to the summit of Mount Timpanogos, so the views are spectacular. The waterfall freezes in the winter, which is a very cool sight to see.
4.5 miles round trip (5.8 miles when the road is closed), moderate, 636 ft elevation gain
This trail is especially fun, because it leads to a natural hot spring you can soak in after your hike! In the winter, the road to the main trailhead parking lot closes, so be prepared to add about 1.3 extra miles to your hike. You can park in a smaller parking area before the road closure, or along the street. The extra mileage is along a paved road, so depending on how icy it is, you might not need spikes on your boots yet.
When you get to the actual trailhead, you WILL need your spikes! Much of the trail gets almost no sunlight, so it’s not only snowy, but icy. The trail itself isn’t too hard, but you’ll need to watch your step. You can wear a swimsuit under your clothes, or bring it to change into at the springs if you aren’t too shy. The hot springs are a popular winter destination, so once again, the earlier you get there the better. There are a lot of pools of varying sizes and temperatures to choose from. The closer to the waterfall of the springs you get, the hotter the water gets.
My biggest takeaway from the hot springs was to bring sandals of some sort to wear in and around the pools. I tried to walk from one pool to another without shoes on because I didn’t want to put my wet feet back into my hiking boots, and it was so painfully cold walking on the snow and rocks! I wish I would’ve packed my Chacos to wear inside the pool as well. The bottom of the pool was rocky and sandy, and it would’ve been a little more comfortable with some sort of shoe on. Make sure you bring an extra pair of dry socks just in case, and a towel to dry off with. All in all, it’s a really cool hike and the hot springs make it totally worth it!
3.5 miles, moderate, ~1500 ft elevation gain
The Indian Trail is a long, point to point trail in Ogden Canyon. I usually only do about 3.5-4 miles of the trail, going about 2 miles up to a panoramic viewpoint of the mountains and then turning around. If you choose to do the whole 8.4 mile trail, it will take you about 5.5 hours to finish. The first two miles are a little steep, but it’s so worth it to see the mountain views from above!
2.6 miles round trip, moderate, 849 ft elevation gain
Lake Mary is one of my favorite hikes, no matter the season. Because the trail passes through Brighton ski resort, you can only do this hike before ski season begins, or after it ends. Depending on the year and snowfall levels, the ski resort might start grooming the runs as early a mid-November, so put Lake Mary first on your list of winter hikes to complete! The lake is at the very top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, so when I did the trail in early November, there was already enough snow to need all my winter hiking gear. If you're feeling adventurous, you can continue on to Lake Martha and Lake Catherine, too.
Winter Hiking Equipment
Winter hiking can be a breeze if you have the right equipment. Here's a list of my winter hiking must-haves:
Crampons or Spikes
My top recommendation for winter hiking is getting some crampons that go over your ordinary hiking boots. They help with traction, prevent postholing, and allow you to safely hike in icy conditions. I found some on Amazon for less than $20, and they’ve been perfect! I’ve taken them on about ten winter hikes and they are still in great condition. If you wait a few days after an initial snowstorm, snowshoers and cross country skiers have likely already packed down the trails, so crampons are enough to prevent sinking in the snow.
Snowshoes
If you’re interested in getting into snowshoeing, you can tackle almost any trail, whether it’s packed down or not! You can find snowshoes for $50-$70 on Amazon.
Hiking Poles
Hiking poles add a lot of stability when hiking through snow or ice, especially downhill. If you are doing a steeper trail, poles can help you climb up without slipping or sliding and climb down without turning into a human snowball. I got my hiking poles on Amazon for $25, which included four tips for different terrains and a storage bag. They are also adjustable based on your height, so you can make sure they are as comfortable to use as possible.
Clothing
It goes without saying that you’ll need warm clothes to hike in the winter. But the real trick is layers, layers, layers! Even though it’s cold outside, our bodies will still generate a lot of heat when exerting the energy needed to hike through snowy conditions. Even when I’ve hiked in sub-freezing temperatures, I’ve gotten warm enough to take off my coat and hike in a long sleeve shirt or sweater. I will usually wear a thin long sleeve shirt, a sweater or flannel, and a coat on top of it all. I also wear gloves, a beanie, thick socks (sometimes two pairs), and warm leggings. Most hiking boots are waterproof, but make sure yours are before taking them in the snow so your toes don’t freeze. It’s also a good idea to carry hand warmers you can keep in your coat pockets to keep your hands warm while hiking. Below are links to some of the specific clothing items I wear while hiking.
Sunglasses: When hiking in the sun, the bright light can reflect off of the snow and burn your eyes, so it’s a good idea to keep sunglasses or goggles with you as well. This means it’s also a good idea to wear sunscreen!
Safety Tips & Important Knowledge
Once you have the right equipment, the next step to safely hiking in the winter is doing some research about what to pack, first aid, and emergency preparedness.
Always Check the Forecast
Before setting out on the trail, make sure no winter storms are heading your way. You don’t want to get stuck hiking in a blizzard! The AllTrails app includes a weather forecast for each trail you look up, so that’s a good place of reference when doing your research. You also need to be aware of any avalanche warnings in your area. Check your local avalanche center’s website, and don’t attempt to downplay the danger. If there is an avalanche warning, change your plans and avoid the area completely.
Ten Essentials
When hiking and camping in any season, it’s important to be prepared for anything that can happen. Here’s a list of Ten Essentials to always keep with you when recreating outside (source: REI Cold-Weather Hiking Tips & Clothing Guide):
Navigation: Carry a map, GPS, or compass with you just in case you need help getting back on track. I use the AllTrails app on my phone, which has very accurate maps and GPS tracking for thousands of trails. I pay $35.99 a year for AllTrails Pro because it allows me to download maps to use when I no longer have cell phone service and get alerts when I make a wrong turn. If you don’t want to pay for the app, there is a free version that allows you to view routes when you have cell phone service, or you can pay $2.99 a month for AllTrails Pro if you don’t have $35.99 to pay all at once. I used the free version of AllTrails for almost a year and it was still extremely helpful, but if you have it in your budget to upgrade to Pro, I think it’s totally worth it to be able to download the maps!
Headlamp: It’s a good idea to always carry a headlamp with you in your daypack, just in case things don’t go according to plan and you end up hiking in the dark. It’s even more important in the winter when the daylight hours are fewer. Be sure to bring extra batteries too, as cold weather can cause batteries to die quicker. Storing battery powered devices like your headlamp, GPS device, or phone in your pockets close to your body heat can help prevent them from dying as quickly. Here's a link to the headlamp I've used and loved for years.
Sun Protection: As I mentioned above, the sun reflecting off the snow increases its intensity, making it easy to get sunburned. Bring sunglasses and reapply sunscreen to your face and neck frequently.
First Aid Kit: Carry a first aid kit with bandages, blister care supplies, painkillers, sterile gauze dressings, and alcohol wipes. This is the first aid kit I carry with me.
Knife: A knife is a versatile tool that has a variety of uses, from self defense to cutting cords or ropes.
Fire: Bringing matches, a lighter, and tinder can be the difference between life and death if you get stranded while hiking in cold conditions. Make sure you keep your fire supplies in a dry part of your pack. Here's a link to an emergency fire starter kit.
Shelter: I keep an emergency bivvy in my pack all the time. It acts like a kind of sleeping bag, reflecting your body heat back at you and keeping out wind and water. Mine is very small and lightweight, so it’s the perfect emergency shelter that doesn’t take up too much space in my backpack.
Food: Always bring plenty of high-calorie, high-protein snacks when hiking. Your body burns more calories hiking in the winter because it not only has to exercise, but it also has to keep your body warm, so it’s important to eat enough to replenish your calories.
Water: Even though it isn’t hot outside, you still need to drink plenty of water while hiking in the winter to avoid dehydration. It can be harder to remember to drink when you’re cold, so make a conscious effort to stop for a drink periodically. You can also bring a thermos with hot coffee, tea, or cocoa if you want a warm drink on your chilly hike.
Proper Dress: I’ve already laid out the proper clothing to wear while hiking in the winter, but it needs to be stressed that while you can always take layers off, you can’t add them while hiking if you didn’t bring enough. You can’t be over prepared while hiking in cold conditions; the last thing you want is to be stuck on a mountainside somewhere shivering because you didn’t bring warm enough clothes.
Cold Related Injuries & Illnesses
If you bring the Ten Essentials and follow proper safety tips, you will hopefully avoid any cold related injuries. However, here’s what you need to know if you do run into them:
Frostbite
If your skin is exposed to cold weather for too long, you have a chance of developing frostbite. The signs of frostbite are:
Skin is pale and cold
Tingling, numbness, or pain in the area
Blisters forming on skin
Treating Frostbite
If possible, cover up the area to protect it from the elements and warm the affected area. Place your cold fingers in your armpits, or your toes on a partner’s warm body. Never run your fingers under hot water to attempt to warm them because this can damage the skin further. Get to a doctor as soon as possible to get proper medical treatment.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when your body temperature falls below normal.
Signs of mild hypothermia:
Shivering
Clumsiness, like difficulty zipping coat or backpack
Confusion or change in mood
Signs of moderate hypothermia:
Intense shivering
Obvious change in coordination, like loss of balance
Change in mental status, like forgetfulness or irritability
Signs of severe hypothermia:
Shivering may stop due to lack of energy
Disorientation or irrational behavior
Pulse may be hard to feel
Treating hypothermia
Get indoors if possible. If not, get in some form of shelter from the elements. Swap out any wet clothing for dry clothing. Give the affected person plenty of water, and make sure they have enough energy to shiver, which is the body’s natural way of trying to produce more heat.
Winter Hiking Wrap Up
I hope you've found this post helpful, and now feel empowered to enjoy the outdoors in all seasons. Let me know of any questions you have in the comments, and I'll do my best to answer them. Now, let's go on a hike!
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Another safety tip is to always tell someone where you’re going to be hiking so they know where to send a search party.
yaktraxs changed the game for my feelings about winter hiking! Feeling inspired to hike this weekend