Moraine hikes still popular in winter months
The winter weather isn’t considered “bad weather” by the staff of Moraine State Park; it just gives visitors another way to experience nature.
Natalie Simon, environmental education specialist at Moraine, said the educational walks and hikes the park hosts during the winter are popular. She said many people also enjoy the chance to see the park and its trails in a different context.
“Hikes are kind of popular in the winter,” Simon said. “People like excuses to go outdoors; they like to be together more than other times.”
Moraine had several events scheduled for January and February, including a winter tree walk that took place Wednesday; a winter weeds walk Jan. 26; and a Groundhog Day hike Feb. 2.
Simon said the walks generally are planned to be short and relaxed journeys through easy trails, and the hikes are generally longer and cover rougher terrain.
The environmental educators typically have more stops planned for the walks, so they can talk about the designated features of the park. The winter tree walk, for example, was planned to bring a forestry expert along, to help make the walk even more educational.
“That particular trail has a lot of variety of trees including some big ones,” Simon said. “We'll see how technical it'll be. If you know trees well, you can learn something, and if you don’t know trees, you will definitely learn something.”
The hikes and walks are scheduled for weekdays. However, on Saturday, Feb. 4 Moraine will host Winterfest throughout the day. It is a popular event that garners a lot of attendance.
“Winterfest is just a favorite event for a lot of people,” Simon said. “(It’s) a time for people to enjoy being out in the park, but maybe have been in for the winter. They can come out and visit one of the favorite places at the park; McDanel’s has great views.”
The winter weeds walk begins at 1 p.m. Jan. 26 on the Pleasant Valley and Sunken Garden trails, and the Groundhog Hike begins at 1 p.m. Feb. 2 on the Pleasant Valley Trail. Registration is not required for any of the scheduled walks or hikes scheduled so far this year.
Simon also said that although the park staff has an appreciation for winter weather, it urges people not to take risks just to make it to an event at the park.
“We like all kinds of weather, but if it's severe or dangerous, then don't go out on roads,” Simon said.
For information, visit Moraine State Park’s page on the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ website.
