{"id":4630,"date":"2022-02-01T14:02:57","date_gmt":"2022-02-01T14:02:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nhrtc.org\/?p=4630"},"modified":"2022-02-01T14:05:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-01T14:05:09","slug":"discovering-winter-trails-meeting-new-friends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nhrtc.org\/nhrtc-core\/discovering-winter-trails-meeting-new-friends\/","title":{"rendered":"Discovering Winter Trails, Meeting New Friends"},"content":{"rendered":"


\nBy Ellen Kolb<\/b><\/p>\n

Have you been reluctant to step outside for some winter hiking on New Hampshire\u2019s trails? Now\u2019s the time to give it a try. You don\u2019t need to head to the mountains to experience a fine winter day. Rail trails and town conservation properties can inspire winter hikes close to home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A few days after a storm dropped fresh snow throughout southern New Hampshire, I joined a small group of participants in the <\/span>New Hampshire Rail Trail Challenge<\/span><\/a> for a snowshoe hike on the Goffstown Rail Trail<\/a>. While the trail was ungroomed, a few snowshoers had already been through, packing down a good track for us to follow. The Goffstown trail is usually popular, but we met only a few other hardy folk enjoying the sunny Sunday. Winter conditions meant no crowds!<\/span><\/p>\n

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While we were enjoying a Goffstown trail, <\/span>Manchester Moves<\/span><\/a> was hosting its Winter-Fest a few miles away in Manchester\u2019s Stark Park. Sledders, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers all enjoyed this family-friendly event. A bonus was the Outdoor Gear Lending Library managed by Manchester Moves, letting everyone who attended the event give skiing or snowshoeing a try on the newly-developed Heritage Trail-North.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you find out about winter recreation opportunities close to home?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n