Which hiking season is your drug of choice?

[blacklab2020]

In recent discussions with others, I find that many people including myself are out in the mountains in the winter much more than the summer. It is also apparent from all the recent discussion about winter gear and people making winter plans. Do more New Englanders prefer the winter?

I can't seem to get enough of the snow and ice and solitude in the winter myself. Plus a lot becomes more challenging and incredibly beautiful.

I'm sure this topic has probably surfaced before on VFTT; however, not as a poll.

So whats your season of choice?

 

[Mark Schaefer]

Hands down, it's Autumn. Crisp clear days, moderate temperatures, tranquil days, low humidity, little if any mud, no bugs, fall foliage. For me no other season even comes close. Although we are in the middle of "berry season" and that probably comes in a distant second. Followed by spring - love that light shade of green and early flowers, and I can overlook the many problems. Winter?? bah humbug, the days are too short.

 

[TDawg]

Gotta go with autumn for reasons already discussed by Mr. Schaefer. Followed by summer, during winter on a nice day I'd rather go snowboarding over hiking 10 times out of 10.

 

[sp1936]

I voted "Doesn't matter", because that's closest to the truth, but Autumn is prime time.

Steve

 

[Waumbek]

Today. (I wanted to post just that but I have to get up to ten letters so I'm adding this.)

 

[HikerBob]

Voted for Doesn't Matter but winter is my favorite.

Bob

 

[ripple]

Winter!!! Bring on the snow!!

 

[bobandgeri]

We love to be in the mountains year round, but prefer Fall and Winter the most as there are less bugs.

 

[Artex]

I like all of the seasons for various reasons. If I'm dayhiking, I primarily like winter. If I'm doing a multiday trip, I prefer autumn. Still, spring and summer are nice as well.

 

[forestgnome]

It's all good, every Saturday I hike the White Mountains, but Autumn is definately prime time.

Late August through early January is spectacular everywhere in the forest.

Late April is a special time, with the colorful buds, melting snow and lack of bugs.

November is really nice when the mountains turn brown and ugly( ) and the hords go home. This is prime bushwacking time. Moose antlers are huge. Change is in the air.

Least favorite is May/June and any muggy summer day.

 

[hockeycrew]

One part of Late Autumn that I love is you can get beautiful weather at the bottom, and some light snow on top. The colors, the temperature, almost always perfect.

But I'm game year round even in yucky miserable mud season

 

[KayakDan]

No Snow?? Why Go???

Ok... I do enjoy a couple of late Autumn trips too.And we did do the MD weekend on the Osgood Platforms last year,but thankfully ,it snowed then too!

 

[Chip]

Day Hikes vs Back-Packing ?

I do more miles in the warm weather, but mostly day hikes. I like shorter, more challenging (crampons, snowshoes) full pack overnights in the winter.
I'd like to see a poll on dayhiking and base camping vs. full pack overnights and multidays.

 

[jbrown]

Up until this last year, I held summer near and dear as my favorite season to hike, with fall as a close second. After doing a winter day-hike of Marcy from the Loj, however, I have started to change my attitude toward the colder months and seriously consider winter as my season of choice for the future. It seemed that everything was more peaceful, cleaner, softer, and slipperier in the winter. Glissading down instead of a knee-pounding descent is certainly one HUGE plus. Using a "pulk" to haul gear is so much better than carrying stuff on my back.

For some reason, I can't remember which one I voted for, I think it was "Doesn't matter..." Wow, I need caffeine...

 

[bobmak]

You'll find me out most in the fall and winter. My hiking season usually runs from September through March, with most trips between October and December. Living and working near the coast, I find myself cycling, kayaking, going to outdoor concerts or doing home projects most weekends in the summer. From December through April I ski every 2nd or 3rd weekend, but occasionally I still get a winter trip in. I rarely hike in the spring or summer, although this past spring I went hiking for 10 days in Arizona. I really enjoy the sleeping outdoors part, so 99% of my trips are overnighters. I take my dogs out for long walks in the local state forests year round, but I wouldn't call that "hiking".

 

[Bob Kittredge]

Most any time besides November. Its cold and bleak; no green, little snow, no flowers. Everything is gray or brown. Streams aren't frozen, but the rocks have ice on them. Trails are just as lumpy and bumpy as they are in summer. The ground is mostly frozen and hard except for the mud holes that have just enough of a frozen crust to fool you. The air is crisp, but the days are short.

But I'll still be out there.

 

[Ridgewalker]

Autumn is a good time to go hiking for it offer no bugs, high tmeperatures. I think of it as the "just right" time to go hiking. I find its a peaceful time when I find a hike that no tourist would find, but an experienced hiker would. There is more color in the trees and it makes it more special of a visit to the Whites.

 

[Neil]

I hike least during my favourite time of year for hiking. That's right, fall is a busy time of year on the home front. Last year I think I went once a month. Next in line for most liked is winter. Spring and summer are about even on the third step of the podium.
I love late fall when the leaves are down and a raw wind blows into my face and there is a dusting of snow on the ground. My boots go crunch, crunch through the underbrush.

 

[MikePS]

Actually I find I get there less in the summer due to other things such as trips- really love fall and winter-but that first spring hike with a light pack is a joy

 

[MrAmeche]

Autumn, hands down. Nothing compares to the temperatures, foliage, the crisp air; especially late October-early November.

Never tried winter hiking, but I'm hoping to start this coming season. Summer would have to be the least favorite, if only because of the bugs and the muggy days.