Finally got out on snowshoes

[eckilson]

The good thing about living in southern New England is that we can usually paddle all winter. The bad thing is that we rarely get enough snow for snowshoeing. This year, the temps have been too cold for paddling, but we’ve had snow on the ground for the last few weeks. Last weekend we got about 18” of nice fluffy powder, and I finally got out to enjoy it yesterday.

It was 3-degrees when we met at a nearby state forest. We stayed off the busier trails, and spent most of the trip breaking our own trail through the woods in the fresh snow – it was great. The guy with the GPS (always have one) said that we did 2.3-miles, and averaged 3-miles per hour when we were moving. Its a good work-out and we took a lot of breaks. No rush - it was nice to get out.

Few pictures here:

Snowshoeing at F. Gilbert Hills State Forest - January 31, 2026

Explore this photo album by Erik Eckilson on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[tketcham]

Great to see you got a chance to get out on the shoes and take advantage of the storm! And breaking trail is the way to go, that's what snowshoeing is all about. Perfect cold weather activity.

I love snowshoeing, ever since I was a kid. My grandpa used to salvage snowshoes from the trash pile behind the VT Tubb's Snowshoe factory and repair them. They were rarely ever a matching pair (those would end up being his to use) so the snowshoes we were given were oddball pairs, often different widths/lengths, with an assortment of webbing, frame repair materials, and leather pieces to make bindings. We didn't care, it was just fun to snowshoe up on the hill and have a picnic in the snow.

I did get a pair of new Tubbs snowshoes for Christmas when I was in high school and used those for decades but now have modern aluminum frame shoes with nylon bindings. Not as aesthetic as the old Tubb's shoes but they don't break (as easily) and have serrated-edge frames and cleats for icy conditions and steep pitches.

 

[scoutergriz]

I used to snowshoe extensively because a few of my friends live off grid on unmaintained logging roads, plus I like winter camping
when it comes to breaking trail in anything deeper than about 6" traditional Huron-style shoes were my go to, I've always found that modern shoes don't have enough flotation in deep powder and that snow would constantly collect on the decks, making them heavy, even the cleats drove me crazy because they'd often ball up with snow, making it feel like you were walking on stilts if you hit a hard crust or icy spot. the traditional shoes have a larger footprint so spread your weight better, are somewhat self- cleaning, and you can even glide down hard packed slopes. for traction I can alway take some shi**y yellow rope and wrap it around the toe bar if needed. I also like the wider track for pulling a toboggan- less riding up and rolling over.
But, because conditions can vary from packed trails to powder, and even condition of the snow,
it's really down to preference and type of snowshoeing you do

 

[snapper]

Glad to see you got out in spite of the cold. With the winter we've been having, if we waited for it to warm up, we'd never go out! I end up doing most of my snowshoeing (and xc skiing for that matter) alone as very few folks are interested in going out right now. I went out our back door the other day for about an hour on a lollipop loop to the woods up the hill from our house. I've gone back to using my traditional snowshoes for all but extensive mountain hiking in the Catskills. I really enjoy being out on my traditional wood framed/rawhide laced shoes. Heck, even my "binding" is nothing more than a strip of wool; a'la 18th century travelers (something I've gotten used to from my winter living history weekends & events). It's very rewarding to be out in the quiet of the woods, moving about as our ancestors once did. Of course, we get to experience it as recreation. For them, it was just how life went during the winter months.

That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.

snapper

 

[tketcham]

But, because conditions can vary from packed trails to powder, and even condition of the snow, it's really down to preference and type of snowshoeing.

Yup, that's why I like a longer, narrow snowshoe for deep snow bushwacking. They allow a more natural stride than wider shoes but still provide decent flotation. I had a pair of Alaskan Trappers (56"x10") that I enjoyed so when it was time to replace them I went with MSR's Lightning Ascent (30"x10") snowshoes. They're much more capable in steeper terrain and especially on icy surfaces with the serrated edge frame.

The effective length of the Trappers was closer to maybe 42" so with the 5" extensions on the Ascents I've got a 35" shoe that will float in all but the deepest powder. Without the extensions the length isn't really a hindrance in brush or twisty trails because the Paragon bindings provide a solid attachment. (I replaced the original bindings.) And once you get used to to the length you can move right along on a snowshoe trail. I wouldn't suggest using them for racing, though.