Winter hiking is wonderful. The air is crisp and clean. The forest is still.
With the air so clear it makes for some amazing sunrises and sunsets. So much is missed by those who only hike in the warmer months.
Hiking around the lake in the winter months will produce lifetime memories of wildlife, God-made ice sculptures and scenery.
Many other outdoor hobbies lend their own rewards for being out in the winter months—like bird watching, fishing, kayaking and viewing the night sky.
I have caught some of my largest fish during the coldest times.
The best eagle sightings I have had were during the winter.
Even plants are fascinating during the wintertime. Moss and lichens glow a minty green along the grey and otherwise colorless bark of maple trees. Frostweed slowly erupts frozen ribbons of ice from the ground at the base of a dead aster flower. The pine tree that broke off halfway up is now a frozen fountain as it weeps water and freezes at the same time.
Small trees like the American holly almost go unnoticed in the summer months now show in all their glory with shiny dark green leaves. I have heard it told that the Native Americans used the leaves on the rhododendron to tell how cold it was outside when peeping out their winter homes.
When it gets below freezing, the leaves on the rhododendron will roll up and look like a cigar. All these things and many others make winter plant viewing interesting and fun.
With the leaves gone from most of the trees, some incredible views open up from the higher spots.
If you have a pair of binoculars, the wintertime is a good time to take them with you when hiking.
Birds and wildlife are easier to spot this time of the year with the more open forest. If you enjoy peering into the night sky, the winter months have less humidity in the air, making it typically the best time of year for a clear view of the cosmos.
With a steady hand and a good pair of binoculars you can see the craters on the moon or even the rings of Saturn.
Some of the best meteor showers I’ve seen were in the winter. A good meteor shower worth watching for, the Quantarids, will peak around the nights of January 3 and 4. They will be most likely to be seen when at their highest point in the far north in the hours before dawn. That is, if they aren’t hidden by clouds.
This will also be a new moon, meaning that with no moon light to blind you, the stars and meteors will really shine bright.
All of the Tennessee state parks host First Hikes, which are hikes on the first day of the new year. If your new year’s resolution is to hike more or to get more exercise, or maybe you are just ready to get outside after the holiday season, a first hike in any Tennessee state park is a great way to get out with others, enjoy the winter and meet other hikers.
Check out tnstateparks.com to see what your favorite state park or one near you will be doing for their hikes and join them.
For our hike at Big Ridge, we plan on hiking some of the Norris Lake shore, then we’ll take part of the old Cannon Ball trail to meet back up with the lake trail.
This is a medium level strenuous hike like most trails at Big Ridge. This means if you do a lot of hiking this will be very easy. If you are just getting back into hiking shape this hike will get you winded but should not be too much. The whole trip will be about two and half miles.
I hope to have some hikers start their new year off with a hike at Big Ridge on January 1, 2022, at 1 p.m. The hike will meet at the park office.
Good dogs on leash are welcome to join us.

Ranger Derek Wilson
865-206-9459
Derek.wilson@tn.gov