Thanks to a welcomed partnership with a local Franklin newspaper – Macon Sense – we are able to reprint some of their stories that visitors will find informative. In this piece, we explore the often surprising joy of hiking the Smoky Mountains during winter. It may be cold, but because the leaves have fallen, and underbrush retreated for the season, the mountain views are more expansive, and amazing. Of course, safety is paramount when on the trails. Thanks to Macon Sense for letting us reprint this important information.
With relatively moderate temperatures for much of the last few winters, hiking is a realistic option during the months of December through March. In fact, spring, summer, and fall are not the only times to get outdoors and enjoy walking and hiking the network of trails in Macon and surrounding counties.
With much of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest open year-round – as well as the Bartram Trail and the Appalachian Trail – opportunities for outdoor treks abound on crisp, clear, winter days.
And the benefits are many. Being outdoors in fresh air is a cure for cabin fever and winter blues. Suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be avoided by hiking on sunny days. Pesky bugs and potentially dangerous snakes are little-to-no threat on cold days. And, for the crowd-dodgers, trails are generally less traveled during winter months, which means less chance of dog activity on paths, so one’s own pets may have more of a chance to run and play without owners worrying about interaction with a myriad of canine hikers.
Whether for a just short hike, a half-day hike, or a full-day hike, preparation is necessary. Being prepared is essential for any season, but especially during winter months.
National Park Service advises these winter hiking safety tips:
- Pack food, especially salty foods, like crackers, pretzels, and dehydrated chickpeas, because the salt replaces sodium lost during hiking. Eat a healthy, protein-packed meal before hiking.
- Bring a first-aid kit with such items as band aids, ace wrap, antiseptic, moleskin, etc.
- Pack a map since not all trails are well-marked.
- Make certain to take plenty of water, and perhaps an electrolyte replacement as well, depending on the length of the hike.
- Wear appropriate footwear, such as waterproof hiking boots and socks and add gaiters to keep snow and mud out of boots if recent inclement weather dictates. Franklin shops like Outdoor 76, Three Eagles Outfitters, and Fox Mercantile stock the right shoes and socks needed for winter hiking.
- Consider over-the-shoe traction devices, as some spots – especially at higher elevations like Siler or Whiteside Mountain – have stretches of ice.
- Carry a hiking pole or poles to help with footing on icy trails.
- Pack a whistle and/or signal mirror for emergency use, especially if there is no phone service.
- Dress in waterproof/warm clothing, including a parka, hat, gloves, and a neck gaiter.
And always, no matter what the season, let someone know where and when hiking, and check the weather forecast. Take along a flashlight, even though the plan is not to be out after dark. Remember, days are shorter this time of year.
Finally, a main benefit to hiking in winter is what VisitNCSmokies has dubbed “a new perspective.” Shared on its website are some words to ponder: “Sometimes you can’t see the forest for the trees. But winter hiking opens up a whole new world that you don’t see in the other seasons. With no understory covering the forest floor, you can see much farther through the woods, making it easier to spot wildlife or marvel over a moss-covered boulder you would miss during lusher times of year. Pay attention to unique and striking tree shapes, which are usually hidden by leaves, or even try your hand at tree identification by studying the bark.”
This story originally appeared in the local Franklin newspaper Macon Sense. It’s reposted with permission. It was written by Deena Bouknight, the paper’s managing editor. Check out the paper for more stories about Franklin.
