Cross Country Skiing by Lantern

Wed, Jan  9, 2008 - By DNR

Cross Country Skiing by Lantern 

Skiers can enjoy lantern-lit cross country ski trails at Hartwick Pines State Park on the Saturday evenings of Jan 12 and 26, and Feb. 9 and 23. The event starts at 6 p.m. and concludes at 9 p.m. The 1.25 mile groomed and lantern-lit trail starts at the Visitor Center parking lot.

At the conclusion of the event, there will be a campfire at the trailhead (weather permitting) for skiers to enjoy. The Visitor Center’s warming room also will be open with hot refreshments and snacks.

Guided Snowshoe Hikes.

Guided snowshoe hikes through Hartwick Pines’ Old Growth Forest will take place on Saturdays in January, February and March. The hikes will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan 19, Feb. 2, Feb. 16 and March 1. Participants can bring their own snowshoes or borrow a pair for free from the Visitor Center.

The hike will begin at the Visitor Center with a brief review of snowshoe history, styles and winter survival tips. The group will then be led through the Old Growth Forest’s 300 year-old white pine trees. At various points, Park Interpreter Craig Kasmer and Site Historian Rob Burg will stop the group and discuss animal signs and tracks, as well as historical facts and stories about winter logging done during Michigan’s White Pine Logging Era.

At the end of the hikes, visitors can warm up by a campfire and have a cup of hot cider while listening to logging camp stories.