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outdoors
McWater Falls at four degrees
WALKING IN WINTER WOODS:
SEEKING NEW LOWS words and images Jim Warnock
Frost flower on the Ozark Highlands Trail
When large swaths of the country are closing for hiking due to deep snows, the Ozarks of Arkansas are just hitting their prime! I’ve met many hikers from other parts of the country who are envious of our winters. I also meet many locals who avoid winter hiking, some only going outside in temperatures between sixty-five and seventy-two degrees. When asked my favorite seasons for hiking, I always answer winter, followed by fall and spring. If we limit our hiking to comfortable temperatures, we’re missing great days in the Ozarks. I want to challenge you to expand this seven-degree comfort-range and see what happens. Among other benefits, we avoid ticks and annoying warm-weather critters while
Venture out on a frozen morning, and you might see frost
increasing our activity level during the season of larger meals
flowers. Their endless variations entice me to spend a few
when extra pounds want to stick to our waists.
extra minutes gathering these little icy souvenirs for my wife with my camera. I was excited to find one heart-shaped frost
If you’re reading this article, you’ve already identified yourself
flower on my thru-hike of the Ozark Highlands Trail. A couple
as someone outside the norm because you’re a hiker, or
of years later, I came across my second heart frost flower on
becoming one, and you want to experience more outdoors
the Ouachita Trail.
during the winter months.
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