While it may be easy to grumble about winter’s cold weather and limited sunlight, at the Hudson Highlands Land Trust (HHLT), we see winter as an invitation to embrace all four seasons. This perspective is not new: many Indigenous peoples of the Northeast, including the Haudenosaunee, have long appreciated winter as a time for bonding, storytelling, and renewal. During the winter months, families traditionally retreated to the longhouse, sharing food and stories — while also engaging in outdoor, seasonal activities like Snow Snake, a distance-throwing competition across a channel of snow or ice.

With warmth, company, and shelter — and by bundling up to spend time outside — northeastern winters across time and cultures offer beauty, clarity, and connection, if you meet the season on its own terms. Here are a few ways to truly enjoy and be present this winter in the Hudson Highlands.

Photo by Christine Ashburn

Winter Hiking

Winter recreation can be a delight without extensive travel or a weeklong ski vacation. With thoughtful preparation and modest equipment, you can enjoy winter close to home. The Hudson Highlands are known for moderate peaks and sweeping Appalachian Trail views that feel especially expansive in winter, when bare forest canopies open sightlines to rivers and distant ridges. With fewer hikers on the trail, winter outings often feel quieter and more contemplative.

For additional inspiration, hikers may enjoy exploring the Downstate 28 Hiking Challenge, which highlights accessible and rewarding trails throughout the region and encourages year- round exploration.

The following winter hiking options are suggested by HHLT staff and may be accessible and safe to explore this season:

Easier hikes

• Pelton Pond (Fahnestock State Park)
• Chimney Top via the Schunnemunk Meadows Trail
• Moneyhole Mountain Access Trail (Fahnestock – beginner/disability accessible)

A bit more ambitious

• Granite Mountain (HHLT preserve in Putnam Valley)
• Black Rock Forest – Carriage Trails (beginner / disability accessible)
• Storm King Mountain (a classic!)
• Humble Bee Hollow (HHLT preserve in Garrison)
• Round Hill or East Mountain access from Hubbard Lodge (Fahnestock – more difficult hikes)

Winter Hiking Safety

Winter conditions can sometimes make sections of your chosen trail impassable or temporarily closed. Before heading out, it’s wise to check park websites and trail apps such as AllTrails for closures, trail conditions, difficulty ratings, and estimated hike times. This also helps ensure you’ll have adequate daylight during shorter winter days. We also suggest packing ice cleats, spikes, or crampons if you have them. Even moderate trails can present icy conditions, especially at trailheads, which are often only passively maintained and not plowed.

Here are a few additional winter safety tips:

• Dress in layers and avoid cotton; moisture-wicking and insulating layers help prevent chill if conditions change
• Tell someone your plan (route and expected return time), especially when hiking alone
• Start earlier than you think you need to, allowing extra time for slower footing
• Carry the basics, including a headlamp or flashlight, extra food and water, and a fully charged phone
• Watch the weather closely and be willing to turn back if conditions deteriorate

Preparation is key to safe and enjoyable winter outings. In addition to monitoring conditions, consider reviewing Leave No Trace’s Ten Essentials to help you pack smart and stay safe on the trail.

Other Winter Activity Options

If cross-country skiing or snowshoeing brings you joy, Fahnestock Winter Park and the Big Woods Trailhead between Carmel and Philipstown offer beloved trails in beautiful settings. Fahnestock also features snow tubing for added fun, when conditions permit. Even sledding has a place in the season —the local favorite Winter Hill in Garrison (host to HHLT) welcomes all ages to its west-facing glissade.

With a New York State fishing license, winter also opens opportunities for ice fishing, as colder temperatures allow for thicker ice. The Highlands support largemouth bass and other freshwater species in NYS Parks–regulated waters, from Sterling Lake to White Pond and beyond.

For downhill skiing without long-distance travel, local options like Victor Constant Ski Area at West Point and Thunder Ridge Ski Area in Patterson offer more affordable access to the slopes.

Ice skating adds an active and social dimension to winter in the Hudson Highlands. Brewster Ice Arena in eastern Putnam County offers reliable indoor skating, while outdoor skating at Bear Mountain Ice Rink can turn a cold day into a special occasion. Hockey players may also find open pick-up games, such as Open Hockey sessions at Ice Time Sports Complex in Newburgh.

Observe Winter Wildlife

Snow and mud make animal movement easier to see in winter. Look for tracks that reveal who remains active through the season, such as Eastern coyotes, red foxes, and one of our favorites — the bobcat. While naturally elusive and solitary, these typically crepuscular or nocturnal wildcats are active year-round and leave distinctive round, clawless tracks.

Birdlife remains lively as well. Notice ground-foraging dark-eyed juncos, or how goldfinches lose their bright gold plumage in winter. Identification apps like eBird and Merlin can make winter birding especially fun. While hiking or walking, scan south-facing tree notches for owls, which often rest there to take advantage of limited winter warmth. Beaver activity can also be easier to spot when trees are bare; watch quietly at dawn or dusk near known dens.

For those interested in deepening their observations, Wild Wonder’s nature journaling tutorials offer accessible ways to slow down, notice patterns, and record seasonal changes.

As always, enjoy wildlife from a safe and respectful distance. Winter reveals just how alive the Hudson Highlands remain, even in the coldest months.