I was wearing my new Trek Sports on their maiden voyage and was interested in how they would perform in a few feet of snow and ice. The combination of the barefoot shoes and my Injinji socks were fairly warm, but once the snow started to meld around mid-day my feet started to get wet and then soaked. The hike was 3+ miles one way to the Saddle. By the time we reached it our feet were cold and wet, but we felt good and the sun was out.
We had planned to cook some hot dogs for lunch on my stove, but there was two feet of snow on the ground and no clear ground to set up our picnic blanket. So, I, who always comes prepared, got out my Cold Steel Bushman knife, cut some evergreen bows, and make a makeshift platform on top of the snow to then put our blanket and gear on. It worked exceptionally well and kept us warm and dry and also allowed us to get out of our cold shoes and socks, hanging them in the sun to dry as we cooked out lunch.
Our dogs did a good job staying near the resting spot and had a blast in the snow drifts. My bare feet felt glorious in the hot noon day sun and it was such a quiet, picturesque location that I felt free as I usually do in the wilderness. After we ate and rested a bit we picked up, put our now somewhat dry shoes and socks back on, and headed back down to the trailhead. By the time we got back there were tons of people coming up the beginning sections of the trail, most families or groups of friends. They all asked "how far to the top?" Not knowing that it was snow the whole way and nearly 11 miles round trip. They would never make it since they were starting out around three in the afternoon and were hiking with kids and were unprepared. We told them so and continued down the final stretches of trail to the car.
The trip had been refreshing and gave me good hope for winter travel in my Trek Sports. If I get some snow shoes, I think that winter travel will be totally doable. I recently replaced my sleeping pad that was stolen, and also got a titanium spork, and a new bladder bag. Now all I need to get is a headlamp, backpack, and sleeping bag. I am getting closer to being able to go out again and have nearly replenished all of my gear.
I am so glad that my wife had a good time (and my pug ;-). That gives me hope for more hikes and maybe a packing trip in the future. She really liked the winter more than the summer. Less bugs, cooler, overall a better experience.
Now I just need to get snowshoes that will fit my fivefingers and be comfortable. wish me luck.
