Winter Fun: Snowshoeing at Myles Standish State Forest
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Getting out into the cold weather and snow doesn’t sound like much fun until you break out the cross country skis and other snow equipment. The brisk long winters of Massachusetts can be hard on athletes and photographers. I find that I am really active throughout the spring-fall months, then I get busy with trips, family parties, and the holidays in general, so I end up heading to the forest less and less. Most of the time I resort to the gym because it is easier to fit in a workout anytime of the day especially with the reduced daylight hours.
That being said, this area is so beautiful that it makes it easier to get out there. I actually love New England during the winter. There are less crowds, the scenery is beautiful, and there is lots to do.
Mike and I decided to break up the monotony of gym workouts by getting out for an invigorating snowshoe hike at our favorite local park called Myles Standish. This beautiful park near Plymouth (a great coastal city with wonderful historic attractions) is one of our favorites in the area because of the serene scenery and remoteness of the area. The park is never overly crowded and the reservoir views are so tranquil and gorgeous. I love hiking and running here during the warm months, but it is still gorgeous as soon as the leaves fall off the trees.
A quiet oasis in winter
This park is pretty quiet all year round, however, it is even more deserted during the winter months. I have rarely seen more than a handful of people at a time even during what should be the busy summer and fall months. I trained for a half marathon here over the late summer-fall months and almost always had the park to myself which is crazy considering the beauty and easy accessibility. This is a good thing as I can really get back to nature with the absence of crowds.
The Reservoir trail is one of the shortest picks (the loop is about 3 miles) for a quick winter hike. The scenery is really beautiful and I even don’t mind the barren trees and ice covered water.
Snowshoeing is fun and an awesome workout too!
We passed only a handful of people out skiing on this visit. They seemed to be enjoying the terrain. I personally wouldn’t ski here as there are a number of tough hills. Advanced skiers may enjoy the remote setting and tough hills. Snowshoeing is a lot more fun in my opinion and great for casual walkers and nature enthusiasts. It’s a tough workout but it isn’t a hard skill to learn. As long as there is enough snow on the ground (at least 8 inches or so), you are set to go. View the trail map to view the different options available.
Surprisingly, snowshoeing is also an excellent cardio workout despite the fact that not much skill is involved as in skiing. To me, it isn’t much harder than a hike. It’s a fun way to stay in shape during the long snowy season. You do need a lot of snow (at least 8-9 inches), so it’s best to get out there right after a big storm. You will get in a great lower body workout. It’s a great sport as no lessons are required and rentals are much cheaper than ski equipment. Skiing honestly scares me, but I love cross country and snowshoeing.
A pair of rentals typically costs about $15-25. I bought my own and they come in handy when living in such a snowy region. A great investment for anyone who wants to keep working out despite the less than ideal weather conditions.
It was a brisk day, however, you really warm up once you get moving around. I recommend dressing in layers as you will start out cold and likely finish much warmer. No matter how cold it is outside, I almost always end up removing my outer jacket and sometimes my hat. Even when I run winter 5ks, I am sweating after the first mile. This park is normally a pretty dark and eerie place, however, it was a nice day with plenty of sunshine.
This forest is located on Cranberry Road in South Carver. Carver is located about 15 minutes from Plymouth, so an easy daytrip if you are staying in the area.
More to do in the region
After your day at the park, I recommend checking out the historic waterfront in Plymouth. You can take a self guided tour of a lot of historical sites and see Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower replica. There is a beautiful waterfront area to stroll around with many shops and restaurants to enjoy. For great Italian food, definitely check out Mamma Mia’s. I really love visiting this city during the slow season: I can really appreciate the history at my own pace this time of year.
