A super day for a winter hike! Blue skies and temperatures around 25 degrees made for a comfortable trip. We set out to hike the North Country Trail from Willow Bay to a parking area near North Branch Sugar Run, in what was supposed to be a 10 mile trip, but turned out to be more of a 15 miler after taking the scenic route through Hopewell.
I've finally got the winter clothing down to a science... I was dry and comfortable the entire 9-hour hike with only a couple light layers. Plenty of snacks and a 70 oz Camelbak kept me hydrated and energized.
It's amazing how much movement goes on in the woods during the winter... footprints of all shapes and sizes running in all directions. There are some busy critters out there...
Numerous campsites along the trail will make for some excellent camping this spring and summer. A couple sites are set along a promising fishing stream, many others are just along the Allegheny Reservoir.
Through quite a few elevation changes, the trail gave us a nice workout when it was all said and done. A number of trail maps were no longer readable due to animals, so having the GPS handy as a backup is recommended (especially on a winter hike when there's not quite so many daylight hours). Portions of the trail were on somewhat of a steep mountainside, which made for tricky footwork in the snow, and stunning views of the Allegheny Reservoir at the peaks.
I'd absolutely recommend this trail. Be safe, take a friend along for company, and let someone know where you're hiking and when you plan to return.
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