Snowshoers trek through the woods of the P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, which is located in downstate Muskegon County. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

MARQUETTE — There’s no shortage of outdoor adventure in the Upper Peninsula, and you don’t have to stop seeking it because of the snow. While hiking and other outdoor activities may be more challenging in the winter, stepping outside is just as beautiful and can be easy and safe by following a few winter hiking tips.

The first thing to keep in mind when heading out for any winter activity is the unpredictability of the weather. Winter conditions in the Upper Peninsula can change rapidly and being prepared for spontaneous changes is crucial in staying safe and enjoying your outdoor excursions, said Deputy Public Information Officer for the Marquette branch of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources John Pepin.

“The best thing to do is to check the National Weather Service before you go to see if there are any winter storm warnings, watches or advisories in effect,” Pepin said. “It may not be snowing now, but maybe two hours from now we’re expected to get a bunch of lake effect snow. It’s good to know that ahead of time.”

Whether you’re hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing or fat tire biking, Pepin recommends dressing in layers and wearing a good pair of boots that will not only keep your feet warm but provide excellent traction on the trails as well.

“…You need to make sure you’re prepared for the conditions, in other words, you wouldn’t want to just have a light jacket on and go out if the conditions are going to be zero [degrees] or there’s going to be heavy snowfall in the afternoon or later in the day,” Pepin said. “Just prepare for the conditions that you’re dealing with or that you may deal with.”

Carry water and snacks with you such as granola or protein bars for quick energy. Unpredictable conditions or injuries could keep you out longer than expected. Snacks can help replenish your energy, which burns quickly when winter hiking. A flashlight is also useful to bring in case you find yourself out later than expected, Pepin added.

There are plenty of good winter hiking locations in the U.P. such as the Noquemanon trails, Presque Isle Park and Sugarloaf Mountain. Pepin recommended some of the popular winter hiking destinations like Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park, Little Presque Isle and the Eben Ice Caves in Alger County.

“There’s great opportunity in the Upper Peninsula especially with all the beautiful scenery we have here, whether it’s lakes or rivers or hills or forests or wildlife, there’s all kinds of stuff to see year round, and I think not enough people get out and take advantage of that during the winter time… Pepin said.”

If exploring new territory, it’s best to check out the maps that are provided at the site or check a map before you go out, Pepin said. Details such as your destination and what trail you plan to hike are great to include in the note or text you should leave for a friend before you go out.

“It’s always good no matter where you’re going out in the woods, whether it’s fishing, hunting, hiking, to leave a note, leave a text, leave some way for people to know where you’re going and when you expect to be back,” Pepin said. That could be very helpful if something were to happen like if you got lost it’d be easier for people to find you,” Pepin said.

While limited cell phone service is a problem in various areas throughout the U.P., it’s still a good idea to carry a phone in case you are in need and do have enough service to send a text or make a call, Pepin added.

No matter what area you choose to explore, hikers should always be most cautious of ice.

“Realistically no ice is safe ice, so if you are going to go out on the ice you have an extra set of precautions to be familiar with there,” Pepin said. “Try to avoid places where there are currents or walking on river ice where currents make the ice thinner in some places.”

If walking on ice, Pepin recommends taking a stick to reach in front of you with or even tying a nail onto a string and attaching them to your jacket like mittens in case you fall through. The nails can then be used to dig into the ice and help you pull yourself out.

“If you do pull up onto the ice roll away from the hole,” he added. “If you’re out on the ice walking with people don’t walk together following each other, it’s better to spread out and walk in a row rather than in a straight line.”

With a few safety precautions, outdoor recreation can be just as fun and scenic in the snow as in the summer months.

“A great thing to do is get out and hike in the winter time,” Pepin said. “There’s a lot of cool things to see out there.”

For additional winter recreation safety tips, visit michigan.gov/dnr.