Join our GetWinter hikes designed to get you into winter hiking. This is a series of progressively harder winter hikes leading up to a 4,000 footer.

This trip's focus is to get you familiar with using snowshoes. It's an exciting beginner snowshoe hike with scenery provided by the two Greeley Ponds in a wild and mountainous setting. You can reserve and rent snowshoes from your local outdoor outfitter such as REI, EMS, or from Ski Fanatics off Exit 28 on I-93.

We are taking the Greeley Ponds Trail end that starts at the Kancamagus Highway and returning the same way we hiked in. Approximately 4 miles, 400 feet elevation gain and 2 1/2 hours. Be sure to bring appropriate winter gear such as winter insulated boots, snowshoes (we have some to borrow so let us know), warm clothing (no cotton and blue jeans), water, snacks, etc. We will not be having a lunch stop so eat before we start. After the hike we can hang out by the fireplace at my house in Waterville Valley for pizza/beer (sharing costs). Your welcome to bring a change of clothing and take a shower. 

What is the alternative to no cotton and blue jeans? We recommend you purchase synthetic mid-weight underwear (tops/bottoms) as the skin layer, fleece for the mid/insulation layer, and a hard shell jacket (preferably gore-tex) for the outer layer. Over the underwear bottoms you should have either nylon/gore-tex pants and if cold, then ski pants. And it is very important to have winter insulated boots with warm wool socks over your feet.

Where can you practice snowshoeing near Manchester, NH before the trip? The trails around Lake Massabesic (near the Audubon Center) are good and Bear Brook State Park (the x-c ski trailhead) in Allenstown.

MeetUp Location: Take Exit 32 off I-93 and drive through Lincoln onto the Kancamagus Highway past Otter Rocks Rest Area and the forest service's trail sign for East Pond on your right. Don't turn off at the sign for the Greeley Ponds Cross-Country Ski Trail! Continue on to the next sign on your right, for the Greeley Ponds Trail parking. The distance from exit 32 to the parking area is 10.3 miles.

Carpooling: Contact other members to carpool, share the conversation and travel expenses. Let us know if you want to carpool with Jon and I on I-93 off Exit 28.

Lodging Option: Lodging available Saturday night after the trip at my house in Waterville Valley for $20 each night. Cost includes a continental breakfast with coffee. Accommodations are dormitory style bunk beds. Hot showers, bed linen, towels, soap, shampoo, full use of the kitchen and fireplace is included. No need to bring a sleeping bag. RSVP IS REQUIRED AND SPACE IS LIMITED TO EIGHT GUYS.

Event Coordinators: Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand