3 minute read
Frosty Footprints Lead to New Adventures
Reflections on the 2025 Snowshoeing Season
By Doug Gordon, Chair, Walking & Hiking Committee
Every winter, those who walk and hike with MAC Walking and Hiking take their hiking boots off and switch to snowshoes. This shift is wonderful and gives everyone an opportunity to enjoy the backcountry all year round. Winter 2025 was unique — this was the first winter season MAC provided a van and staff guides. Participants no longer had to worry about navigating snowy trails or roads, and this change proved to be very popular, as interest in snowshoeing increased dramatically.
Not surprisingly — this is the Northwest after all — snow conditions varied greatly over the three months of January, February, and March. There were stretches of famine, with no new snow, then stretches of feast, with so much snow that some outings were cancelled due to avalanche warnings on Mt. Hood. Then there were those wonderful times when the snow was just right.
In January, with limited new snow but wonderful, clear blue skies, the group ventured to sites including Enid Lake, Bennett Pass, and Twin Lakes. On several of these hikes, members switched to micro spikes since the snow was well-packed and the trail well-traveled. The scenery was wonderful with gorgeous views of Mt. Hood. February rewarded us with the return of significant snowfall, and several hikes saw the group breaking trail through new and drifting snow. Of course, this is both a blessing and a curse — on the way to the summit of Ghost Ridge, a heavy squall of wind-driven snow engulfed the group and forced everyone to move down from the summit to the protection of the trees for lunch. As the snow built up, the branches of the trees above grew tired and chose to dump this snow on those sheltering below! Another reason why it is always good to have the right gear when one is in the backcountry.
The snowshoe hikes in March proved to be a mix of the prior two months, with some hikes where micro spikes were preferred to snowshoes. Crosstown Trails had soft spring snow and temperatures in the low 60s, a nice break after winter chills, but soft snow demands snowshoes to avoid sinking more than a few inches. The group observed the signs of people on foot, not snowshoes, sinking deep into the snow near the track.
Every month of snowshoeing season brings its rewards and surprises. Here’s to another season of enjoying winter in the Northwest.
How to Get Started with Snowshoeing
Discover your own snowshoeing adventure with MAC Walking & Hiking — events begin in January and run through the winter. Check out the future schedule and details at themac.com/group/pages/outdoor-walkinghiking-calendar or scan the code.
