Safety is Cool: A Guide to Winter Hiking

Conquering the trails in the cold doesn't have to be an impossible hurdle! Join the Squam Lakes Association for our program designed to turn winter challenges into confident experiences.

We’ll start with an essential presentation at the SLA building at 10:00 am on the topics of layering, gear packing, and weather assessment. Afterwards we'll head out in our van for a 0.9 mile hike up to West Rattlesnake Mountain to enjoy a stunning view of Squam Lake. You’re welcome to carpool with us in our van, or you can follow us there in your own car.

We want you to be comfy on the trail, so please come prepared with water, snacks, and your waterproof gear. If you’re short on supplies, the SLA is happy to lend out extra snowshoes, microspikes, and day packs! You can find our full 'what to bring' guide right here: Winter Day Hiking Checklist

We’ll wrap up the day with a Q&A to ensure you leave ready for your next winter adventure!

West Rattlesnake Mountain Trailhead Parking Lot

About one third of the Rattlesnakes are located on the Armstrong Natural Area, owned by the University of New Hampshire. Five Finger Point is also owned by UNH, and the lands surrounding these conservation areas are privately owned. Other partners include Squam Lakes Conservation Society (who owns East Rattlesnake Preserve), Pinehurst Association (of which Lakes Region Conservation Trust holds a conservation easement on a portion of land), Webster Land Co, and Rockywold Deephaven Camps (where SLCS holds an easement on a portion of land).

To keep you cozy and fueled, please bring along your favorite snacks, plenty of water, warm layers, and waterproof boots. Don’t worry if you’re missing a few things—the SLA has extra trekking poles, day packs, microspikes, and snowshoes available for you to borrow! For a full list of gear to help you prepare, feel free to check out our winter hiking guide at the link below.

Winter Day Hiking Checklist

Diego Bautista Torres, who recently pivoted toward a career in environmental conservation, joined the Lakes Region Conservation Corps with a background in music production. After serving with AmeriCorps in the American Conservation Experience, he is eager to bring his technical skills and public speaking experience to the Squam Lakes Association. As an Education and Outreach Assistant, Diego looks forward to protecting the watershed through community engagement, scientific monitoring, and hands-on conservation work.

Throughout the year, the Squam Lakes Association offers free programs open to the public on a variety of nature and conservation related topics.

The Adventure Ecology programs are presented by the Lakes Region Conservation Corps members who perform important conservation work in support of the Association's mission.

The Lakes Region Conservation Corps (LRCC) is an AmeriCorps service program that develops skills and experiences for conservation professionals. The program provides hands-on conservation work experience and numerous certifications over a broad range of areas