I have always loved the old saying about March: It comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb. Here in Nittany Lion country, that saying really hits home. The dark, cold days of early March lead to the warm, spring-like days that we all look forward to later in the month. Oh, there are few things sweeter than that first warm, sunny day after a gray Pennsylvania winter. Spring fever kicks in and I just can’t wait to get outside and soak it all in.
But I have another name for this time of year: mud and ice season.
You see, every year, on that first warm day of spring, I head out to the local trails and I just have to laugh. While the roads and yards in town are mostly clear of snow, the woods are often still a sloppy mess of ice and mud.
Yes, like the last remnants of the giant parking lot snow pile that slowly melts away as the warmth of spring surrounds it, the paths through the forests of Centre County slowly thaw as spring comes alive. Surrounded by large trees and towering ridges that block the sunlight, the forest floor is often covered in snow well into spring. Trails that have been trampled on all winter sometimes turn into a sheet of ice that makes hiking and running almost impossible.
Although we don’t have snow-capped mountains like the Rockies here, in the early spring the tops of our ridges are often still covered in snow when the lower elevations are clear, sometimes surprising those who climb a little higher.
When all that snow melts during spring, it can cause streams and springs to overflow, making some trails impassable without going through some water.
And you can never be sure about what kind of weather we might get in March. It could be sixty degrees one day, and then a late snowstorm the next, leaving the trails a mess.
Where there is no ice and snow, there is often mud. Mud that sticks to boots and to the fur of dogs (my pup, Peggy, loves to run through all the mud). Mud that splashes and sucks in boots with a sound that is hard to mistake. Mud that can cause slips and slides down steep trails, and make going up a slippery mess.
All this ice and mud can take the joy out of hiking on that first warm spring day if you are not prepared for it.
I can vividly recall a March hiking trip to Shingletown Gap when I first moved to this area. I was just learning to love the outdoors at this point and was excited to get outside. I strapped my one-year-old on my back and off we went, starting on the open trail area with the sun warming our bodies.
Those who often hike in that area will understand what happened next. Once we hit the woods, things changed. There was ice everywhere. At first I was able to step from rock to rock, slowly making my way up the trail, but soon everything was a sheet of ice. Thinking that I just needed to get past the icy section, I rock-hopped on, but before long I realized that things were just getting worse.
With my little kiddo on my back, I was more than a little worried about slipping, so we turned back. That day’s hike was about 1,000 feet out and back, and I was just glad to get out of there without falling (seriously).
These days, I no longer have to worry about a little one strapped to my back, but as I get older, a fall on slippery ice or mud could have devastating results (these old bones don’t bounce back like they used to). But I don’t let that fear stop me from getting out into the woods during mud and ice season.
Now I know that just because there are good conditions at your local park, that doesn’t mean you will find the same things in the woods. I know that early spring trips to the woods might be best served with important gear if you want to have fun and not take a trip to the ER. Gear such as:
Hiking boots or good trail runners with grip are essential to keep your feet dry and provide traction on slippery (ice or mud) spots.
Traction devices such as microspikes or screw shoes can help make icy trails passable. You might not need them, but if you hit an unexpected icy spot, you will be glad you have them.
Hiking poles help provide extra support in slippery conditions and give confidence.
Good socks, made of wool or synthetic fibers, help keep feet warm even if they get wet on sloppy trails.
Friends can help each other navigate difficult spots and provide support if something happens.
Layers of clothing are important so you can adjust if you get too cold or hot.
What goes up must come down, so be mindful. Going up a steep section of trail covered in snow or ice is sometimes easier than going down. So, remember that once you get up there, you are going to have to get down.
Yes, armed with the right gear and mindset, the icy and muddy trails are awesome to explore by foot. It is amazing watching the woods come alive again during the spring thaw. The creeks, streams, and rivers are roaring, animals are starting to emerge from their winter hideouts, and plants begin their wonderful rebirth.
Hopefully, by the time you are reading this the spring thaw will be in full effect and we will have sunny days so we can get out and explore. Just make sure you are prepared like a lion so you can come out of the woods as gentle and safe as a lamb. T&G
Vincent Corso loves exploring the outdoors in central Pennsylvania and beyond.
