Where To Go When It Is Cold
Bundle up! But enjoy the cold.
By Jeanie McIntyre
What to do when the temperature drops? When the ground is hard and the ponds are frozen? Why go outside, of course, preferably to a wetland.
Winter is the only time to see swamps, bogs and other wet places from the inside out, from the center toward the dry land.
Snowshoes or microspikes will help you navigate slippery, snowy places safely.
Plus, lots of critters like wetlands in winter. So look for tracks… and scrapes… and browse… and scat. Figure out who’s out there with you.
Finally, enjoy the ice. Slide a little (but not too much). Marvel at the colors and cracks of frozen water. Listen to the music that ice makes. Soon it will be melted and back over your boot tops and you’ll be craning your neck trying to see how wide the beaver pond really is; whether that’s a nest or a snag; if there is any way to get just a little closer.
So – do it now. Visit a wetland in winter.
We’re joining with the Mascoma Watershed Council to host a snowshoe hike to remote Bear Pond in Canaan on February 9th. At over 900 acres, Bear Pond is the largest property under a UVLT-held conservation easement. This ecological gem is owned by the Mascoma Watershed Council which worked with UVLT to mobilize a fundraising campaign and seek grant funds to acquire and conserve it in 2002. Come for a cold weather exploration of this wonderful area. Watch our calendar for details.
