With the cooler temperatures and weather of winter, many people don’t go out as much as they may in warmer weather.

Guthrie County Conservation Director Brad Halterman says that even with snow on the ground, there is plenty for people to do in the outdoors. He mentions that while there is four or more inches of snow on the Raccoon River Valley Trail, individuals are allowed to drive their snowmobiles on the trail, and that he’s also seen several cross country skiers make use of the trail as well.

Halterman tells Racoon valley Radio that even with these more common winter activities, they’ve been seeing something new on the trails recently.

“This is something that’s become a little more popular. The last couple of winters. We’ve ran into several people out on the Raccoon River Valley trail snowshoeing and using snowshoes to be able to get along, get to and from different places on that snow. We’ve also seen folks snowshoeing out on our walking trails, like out at Nations Bridge Park, and being able to even goes a little deeper, like it has been here recently. Snowshoes are a way of folks to get around and get some good exercise and see some areas even without that snow.”

Halterman adds that individuals can also try ice fishing and ice skating in areas where the ice is thick enough, or just enjoy nature and wildlife if they choose. He emphasizes safety though, saying that if individuals plan on being out in the cold, they need to be properly dressed and know when to go back inside to get warm.