by Joe Anderson
The new year has arrived, and I am sure resolutions have been made to lose weight, get more exercise, and to dust off the snowshoes in the garage or to use the new ones Santa left. Snow is in the
mountains and will soon be snow covering our foothill, parks, and streets.
I am anticipating another huge snow year. It is so easy to drive a few miles, park the car and slip on the snowshoes and start 
burning calories. I am already going to places to get a quick workout. Some good places are Horse Lake Road, Clara Lake (remember to park to the left of the entrance into Mission Ridge across the street from the trail), Lake Wenatchee State Park and Squilchuck State Park. Remember to show the Washington State Park Pass. It is close enough for a lunch break snowshoe trek. Remember, one hour of snowshoeing burns approximately 800 calories.
I want to share a few principles to follow when trekking: always check the weather forecast, wear proper foot gear and layered clothing, try not to wear cotton, take a pack with water, a bowl for the dog, energy bars and an extra coat. If there is fresh snow check the avalanche forecast and go in a group. Snowshoeing is a social activity and is enhanced by company.
A guided trip will allow the guide to teach the finer tips of safety in the harsh winter environment. The guided trip will teach about route selection, avalanche awareness and beacon use. The Twilight Snowshoe Trek in 2019 offered each Saturday night at Mission Ridge with the added unique flavor of basic instruction, the starry night and Snoga (yoga on snowshoes).
This post was originally published in January of 2019.
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