Surprise Hike of the Month - December Glory

Who's to say a simple trek in the woods can't be glorious, especially on the heels of a fresh snowfall? Come see what I discovered on my little trail adventure up the Pass Mountain Trail (as you may know, I am endeavoring to hike every trail in Shenandoah National Park) and see what I discover as I climb in elevation.

Walks in snowfall are amazing. Especially if you can make it out right afterwards, when the fresh snow is still clinging to the branches. I did bring along my Yak Trax traction devices, thinking I might need some traction, but never really slipped at all. But I did find out that snow tends to collect on the bottom heels of your shoes and makes you feel like you're walking on high heels. I had to clear them off with my hiking poles fairly often.

Snowfall makes the branches look like elkhorn coral under the sea

Pass Mountain AT Hut - no one had stayed the night, so no tracks anywhere.

The deer found refuge from the storm here, right on the trail. There were leaf piles to keep them warm and deer tracks everywhere

Appalachian Trail heading south toward Thornton Gap in Shenandoah National Park

A Walk in the Snowfall