October 2024
HIKING & PICKING
SEASON
Photo by June Hale
Winter is almost upon us but that doesn’t mean outdoor activities need to end. There’s plenty to do rain or shine, just make sure you are prepared! Here are some suggestions:
Backroads Map or another App that works offline
Weather report
Satellite Messenger
Rain Gear (Gore-Tex is the best)
Dry Clothes
Extra Spare Tire
Always have a check in time with someone in cell service
Photo by June Hale
There are many small and beautiful hikes around the North Island. Good ways to find these hikes is through the Backroads Map Book, you can download it to your phone or go the old fashioned route and buy a paper copy at most gas stations. All Trails is also a good resource.
Photo by June Hale
Road conditions change very quickly especially in the winter and roads can become blocked by fallen trees, slides and washouts. Trails can also become treacherous in high winds so avoid going out on days with big winds.
See the latest road report HERE.
Make sure you dress for the weather, dress in layers, have good rain gear, and have a spare change of clothes in your vehicle. A satellite communication device is a great idea and there’s many to choose from.
Photo by June Hale
Another great activity in the fall is foraging. The berries were very abundant this year with Salmon Berries (a spring berry), Salal, Black berries, Huckleberries and in the alpine blue Huckleberries to name a few.
This year is also a bumper crop for mushrooms, there are so many Chantelles, Lobster and Bolete (Porcini) mushrooms and they are still multiplying! Everyone has their “secret” picking spots so just poke your head in the forest and see what you can find!
My favorite picking guide is “All that Rain Promises and More” by David Arora. It’s small enough to take with you and full of great information.
“And they say, Life is an adventure
Full of mystery, So let’s go”
Athey Thompson
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