environmentalmain

Shades of Winter: Recreating With Care in the Forgotten
Season
by Ben vonDielingen
Sr. OHV Program Coordinator, SBNFA

Ah, winter. The time of year when nature is in deep slumber, nestled within burrows, passing the time until
Spring’s thaw. It’s a time when the forest is often hidden under a blanket of freshly-fallen snow, and sound
carries for miles. The brisk air rustling through the trees is often the only sound we hear, apart from perhaps
our breathing. Being out in the forest in the dead of winter, we can feel like there’s no other living being for
miles – but there is.
Winter – especially when accompanied by a generous dumping of snow, can be an energizing experience in
the forest. In the San Bernardino National Forest, when the snow hits, the bustle of activity doesn’t seem to
slow down. With the ski resorts operating, snow play areas crammed full of visitors, and cabin rentals booked
up, it seems as if the mountain’s population almost doubles. Of course, not everyone who visits the forest in
winter desires to stay close to the amenities of modern civilization. Snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, hiking
and off-highway vehicle recreation are just a few ways that people escape the crowds and enjoy the
backcountry during the winter months.

A few days ago, I was lucky enough to go out into Holcomb Valley with Don Alexander from Off Road Big Bear.
Don had acquired a new 4x4 and was anxious to put it to task. I jumped at the chance, drove to Big Bear to
meet Don, loaded in my gear and away we went. As we tracked along a gorgeous snow-covered road, I
started to think about how great this forest is, and how lucky we all are to be able to enjoy it. My thoughts
soon shifted, however, to how fragile and volatile the winter forest can truly be.
The interesting thing about recreating in the forest during the winter is that everything is intensified. What
may seem like an inconsequential action or choice in the summer can be severely magnified in winter. When
looking over a forest blanketed in a foot of snow, we often fail to remember the fragile ecosystem lying
beneath. By going off-trail and compacting the snow, we can cause substantial damage to plants hidden
beneath. Snowmelt can leave the ground moist and fragile, and more susceptible to erosion and destruction
by careless and negligent behavior, which will still be visible in the summertime.
We may also forget that, though our vehicle may be nice and warm as we drive along, if we run into trouble,
that same vehicle may not be quite so warm come midnight when we’re enduring a forced bivouac. Being
prepared in the winter cannot be overstressed; after all, that’s what will get us back home. It’s a cliché, but the
idea of “hope for the best, plan for the worst” is most appropriate in the winter. I didn’t figure that Don and I
would have any problems on our day out, but I brought an overnight kit along just in case. Regardless of how
we choose to spend our time outside in the colder months, we need to be prepared to take care of ourselves if
things go awry.

Extra warm clothes, some food, water, flashlight, a blanket or sleeping bag and maybe a portable heat source
will all help to make an unexpected night in the woods in the dead of winter little more than an exciting tale to
recount – instead of reading like a Greek tragedy. Knowing where you’re going and you and your vehicle’s
limitations is another way to prevent problems. Winter is not the best time to get your vehicle stuck in the
backcountry. Staying on a legal route is important in the winter not only to protect the fragile lands
underneath the snow’s surface but can serve to help bring us home safely. By going off the trail, we might
end up in an unpleasant situation. Snow covered ground can be tricky, and while it might look like a flat
stretch, we could very well find ourselves stuck windows deep in a snow bank, preparing to spend a good deal
of time (if not the entire night) just to get out.
Extra consideration also needs to be shown to animals in the winter. This season is particularly hard on
animals, who are most concerned with finding food and shelter. Chasing, harassing, or taunting animals
should never be tolerated anyway, and especially not in the wintertime. Another thing to consider is how
sounds carry through a barren winter forest. Most trails are designed to allow for sufficient buffer zones for
noise, but in the winter we need to be extra cognizant of how our voices and noise from our vehicles can
carry. Anything we can do to reduce stress on the animals with which we share this forest should be done.

Winter is a truly great time to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, but it should not be taken lightly. Planning
ahead, being prepared, and following established routes are examples of responsible recreation that should
all be followed regardless of season, but especially in the winter. By following these simple protocols, we can
get out into the backcountry of our remarkable forest and experience sights and sounds (or lack thereof) that
folks on the slopes and snow-areas may never find.

"OHV Education Outreach Program is one of six programs managed by the San Bernardino National Forest
Association (SBNFA), a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit partnering with land management agencies to support recreation,
education and conservation. SBNFA partners primarily with the USDA Forest Service, and is funded by
corporate sponsorships, grants and private donations. To find out more about how you can support SBNFA
programs, or to become a volunteer go to our website at www.sbnfa.org, or call Lacy Kelly at (909) 382-2776."