Winter hiking is super fun, and you want company, here’s some options:

THE SUNAPEE-RAGGED-KEARSARGE

GREENWAY COALITION

For Immediate Release

Hiking group to lead 10 winter events

NEW LONDON, N.H. – The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition once again is leading a series of exciting winter hikes throughout the Lake Sunapee region.

The hikes, as always, offer a variety of terrain and conditions, and will include snowshoe and cross-country ski events. A special feature this year will be a 9 p.m. moonlight walk over a forgiving three-mile course.

Hikes range from easy to difficult. Hike leaders will offer full details for each event, including starting place and time and equipment needs.  There is absolutely no cost to participants, except for their personal food, equipment, and transportation to the hike site.

Since winter hikes require special attention to physical conditioning, weather and snow conditions, hikers are encouraged to evaluate their capabilities carefully before joining any group.

The hikes:

Saturday, January 10

OVER THE TOP: Crest Mount Sunapee from Province Road in Goshen to Newbury Harbor. Charlie Killam, 526-4467. 5.4 miles. (M to D)

Saturday, January 17

CHOCOLATE DELIGHT: Snowshoe toward Star Lake in Springfield, then on to Nichols Hill Road, ending with hot chocolate with Susan and Mike Chiarella. 763-5879. 3 miles. (E)

Saturday, January 24

SEE THE LANGENAU: Snowshoe through Langenau Forest to NH Route 4A in Wilmot. Brian Faughnan, 526-7838. 3.5 miles. (M)

Saturday, February 7

THE FELLS IN SNOW: Snowshoe the Fells in Newbury with its beautiful views of Lake Sunapee. Lisa and Dick Correa, 518-281-1494. 2 miles. (E)

February 8, 9 or 10

MOONLIGHT OVER THE GREENWAY: A 9 p.m. snowshoe trek near Pleasant Lake in New London, if conditions are PERFECT. Bailout date: March 10, 11 or 12. Dave Cook, 526-2857 3 miles. (M)

Saturday, February 14

THE KING AND YOU: Snowshoe old trails – with a few diversions off trail – at the King Hill Reservation in Sutton. Art Robbins, 927-4377. 4.5 miles. (M)

Saturday, February 21

PUT ONTHE BOARDS: A cross-country ski trip from Twin Lake Villa in New London to Morgan Pond. Andy Hager, 526-2846. 6 miles, round trip. (M)

Sunday, February 22

FROM BROOK TO BRIDGE: Start at NH Route 114 in Springfield to Kidder Brook Bridge, then downhill to Twin Lake Villa. Wayne Nicoll, 735-5721. 6 miles. (M)

Saturday, February 28

FLEX TIME: An adjustable hike from Granite Hill Road in Wilmot to Pleasant Lake in New London. Brent Scudder, 763-0187. 2 to 3.5 miles, as the group wishes. (E-M)

Saturday, March 7

TOUR DE TRAIL: SRK Greenway Trails Director Gerry Gold’s favorite long-distance challenge. Six miles along the Sunapee Ridge to Lake Solitude and Lucia’s Lookout, and return.  Call 526-2857. 12 miles. (D)

(Editors: For news checking, please call Frank Perrotta, 603-763-9280, or Gerry Gold, 603-526-2857.)

The Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition is a non-profit volunteer organization that promotes hiking and land conservation amid the rugged beauty of three major mountains.  Its 75 miles of trails, incorporating 14 separate hikes through Andover, Danbury, Goshen, Newbury, New London, Springfield, Sunapee, Sutton, Warner and Wilmot, are open to all.  For information, visit the website at www.srkg.com, or write: Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition, PO Box 1684, New London, NH 03257-1684.