By Jen Pribble
Snow is coming. Are you ready?
Do you curl up with a good book by the fire, or do you prefer to bundle up and explore the wonders of the world in winter? While the former can enjoy a good book with the SELT Book Club, the latter may be interested in some tips for exploring SELT lands this winter. SELT’s properties are not closed during the winter, but some are easier and more enjoyable to access. According to Phil Auger, Land Manager, the following properties are most likely to be plowed out after a snowfall. They offer excellent places for walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
• Tucker & French Family Forest, Kingston, 6.9 miles of trails
• Mast Road Natural Area, Epping, 3.4 miles of trails
• Piscassic Greenway, Newfields/Newmarket, 3.5 miles of trails
• Stonehouse Pond, Barrington, 2 miles of trails
Once you’ve decided where to explore, you get to choose how you explore! Some choose to glide over the snow on cross-country skis looking for a workout. Others, like Ellen Snyder, a wildlife consultant who works with SELT, enjoy the silence of exploring on snowshoes. Ellen explains, “I like to find a quiet spot to sit for a while. When you stop to listen, you really notice the birds chirping, the icicles chiming, and the wind moving through the trees. Some days it’s muffled with new snow. Other days, the cold crisp air heightens the sounds.”
No matter how you go, observation is key! If you’re lucky, you may find animal tracks and locate their winter hideaways. Ellen recommends looking for clusters of conifers, such as hemlock. They provide cover for animals in the leafless forest.
Some of the best observers are curious children. They may enjoy a trail-side snack and the book, “Over and Under the Snow” by Kate Messner. Winter exploration offers a great way to escape the beeps and alerts of the modern age. But, if you happen to enjoy those connections, you can share your photos of your winter explorations with SELT and Every Drop on Facebook and Instagram. Tag @SELTNH and @EveryDropNH and/or use the hashtag #SnowySeltie.
This post was originally published in January, 2019 by SELT, a proud partner of the Every Drop Alliance.
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