Snowshoeing is fun and easy to do. Here’s how to select the right pair before you make some tracks.

Snowshoeing is a growing outdoor activity that not only offers excellent aerobic activity, but also allows you to enjoy the backcountry in unique way. The type and size of snowshoe is important to the type of conditions you’ll encounter, and your level of experience. Nevertheless, there are key factors into selecting the perfect set of snowshoes for your outdoor adventures.

Flotation

Flotation is a function of how the shoe allows you to evenly spread your body weight. Approximately 85 percent of the total flotation of the snowshoe occurs around the ball of the foot. Nevertheless, the length and width of the shoe determines its overall flotation in relationship with your body weight. So while an 80 lbs. kid can use a 20-inch snowshoe, a 200 lbs. adult may require a 30-inch design. The lengths range around 20-36 inches and you can aporoximate your weight if you want to avoid embarrassing yourself at the outdoor retailer.

This Crescent Moon Gold 9 series shoe is a popular design and size for all-round use. It weights 3.5 lbs. and is 27 inches in length, great for people up to 195 lbs.

The width of the show is typically proportional to the length so that the shoe remains balanced. For an average size and weight person, a 25 or 26 inch snowshoe will work well for an adult weighing 140-180 lbs. If you’re planning on using snowshoes for long backpacking trips into the backcountry, it’s important to also factor the weight of your pack as well. If you can’t make up your mind between lightweight versus length, keep in mind that it’s always better to sink in the snow a bit than to lift a heavy shoe for several miles.

Frame and Decking

The shoe’s frame and decking are also important to its overall flotation. A lightweight frame will make a huge difference after trekking several miles. Most frames have a teardrop shape that’s wider in front and narrower at the rear. It’s also important to know that women’s snowshoes are typically designed narrower at the rear, to accommodate for their natural stride. This helps keep the shoes from hitting each other as they walk. So don’t be tempted to get your wife or girlfriend a pair of men’s snowshoes for a killer deal at a rummage sale. Likewise, racing or fast trekking snowshoes are also narrower at the rear for people who want to run or walk quickly in the snow.

To keep the weight low, most modern shoe frames are made from aluminum tubing. You may find that some are offered in traditional wood designs, but most experienced snowshoe enthusiasts will recommend getting the lightest shoes possible. Some are made from a single piece of aluminum, but most are welded at the tail. The use of TIG welded (using tungsten inert gas) is best as it provides a stronger bond, but we’ve never seen a snowshoe come apart at the frame.

Originally, snowshoe decking was made from animal skin or leather. Now, decking is most often made from PVC or rubber coated nylon. In most designs, the flotation material is wrapped around the frame and riveted either into the frame or back into the flotation material itself. There’s not one advantage over the other, but some manufacturers will provide some kind of protection or add a cleat around the areas where the decking wraps around the frame, to prevent premature wear.

Binding

Look for a binding that can be operated easily. One-hand operation is best, but also make sure it fits snug without pinching or allowing the foot to move or slip.

The snowshoe’s binding is probably one of the most important factors in how much you will enjoy snowshoeing. When you’re in the cold and have gloves on, the last thing you want to do is hassle with getting them on and off. So it’s best to avoid any type of binding that lace up or doesn’t have a quick-on or quick-release system. Try on several snowshoes at your favorite outdoor retailer and test out the bindings. Make sure you also try them on with the same hiking boots or shoes that you intend to wear. Check to see if the bindings hold your foot in place securely and that your foot doesn’t move from side to side or is pinched in any way. The bindings should also be easily adjustable while you’re wearing them and should also be easy to remove; a one-had operation would be optimal.

Fixed and Free Rotation Shoes

The rotation of the binding is purely up to the style and design of the manufacturer. A fixed rotation shoe will only drop several inches once you lift your foot off the ground. While it does kick up snow onto your back and neck, it’s preferred by people who race or like to hike quickly in harder packed snow. They also find it easier to back up and maneuver from side to side, making it a good choice for beginners as well.

This Crescent Moon Gold 10 backcountry shoe is 30-inches in length and is best suited for long treks into the backcountry with a heavy pack.

A free rotation snowshoe will continually touch the ground as you lift your foot and is preferred for backcountry trips in deep snow. As the snow piles onto the rear of the shoe, the weight stays place and isn’t lifted with your foot. While the snowshoe drags on the ground, it also allows for the front toe to get a better bite on steep terrain.

Traction

Many snowshoes have crampon style traction systems to dig into the snow. Most have traction devices located at the ball of the foot and at the heel. Some provide three traction points and include a toe claw. This comes in very handy when climbing steep grades and for better all-round traction. Make sure that the traction claws are made from a rust-free material such as stainless steel. While titanium is lighter it’s also more expensive.

Be Prepared

No matter if it’s a 15-minute walk from your car or a 10 mile trek to set up a base camp, know the conditions you’re heading into and be prepared. Let people know when you’re leaving and when you will be returning. Bring enough food and water for your trip. Always use the layering method for your snowshoe trips. As you walk your body heats up you’ll tend to remove layers of clothing to keep cool. By knowing the basics of what makes up a snowshoe, you’ll make the best decision in your purchase and ultimately enjoy your snowshoe excursion even more.

By Dan Sanchez

By Rick Shandley

Crescent Moon Gold-10 Backcountry snowshoes showcase modern construction with excellent performance. Snowshoes have served the historical purpose of suspending a person’s body on the surface of deep snow, rather than creating post holes with every step. The Gold 10 series float you just like they are supposed to; in the same way as age-old rawhide-laced bent willow shoe frames. These modern Crescent Moon Gold 10 snowshoes fulfill the traditional role great, but they bring technology and reliability with them.

Although the Gold Series also include the Gold-9, and Gold-17, the Gold-10 are geared for guys up to 225 pounds, and designed to function in deep backcountry snow with or without a backpack. We overloaded the G-10’s recommended weight with the backpack on, but they worked great on the trip even with an extra 40 pounds on our back.  And when there was only a day-pack/camera bag, the Gold 10’s also worked just fine. The floatation and confidence in these snowshoes were unquestioned from the start.

The first snow day to try these Crescent Moon back country shoes was up in the Mt. San Jacinto wilderness area in Soutnern California. Conditions were

Gold 10 excelled in deep snow and icy trails.

icy.  Consecutive, clear-skies and frigid days had elapsed since the last snowfall. The un-trampled snow was fairly deep, but the low temperatures caused the surface snow to crust up hard. How my truck swooped up onto an ice-coated parking area is still hard to say. But few other vehicles also made it up to that parking lot that day. We were there from early morning to late afternoon.

These G-10 snowshoes went on first thing. With three sets of stainless steel crampon cleats riveted to each shoe these Gold-10’s provided immediate traction on ice. This is a departure from historical snowshoe design by providing metal spikes on the bottom to grip the ice. That’s how we got out of the parking lot standing upright.

Strapping into the binding system with size 14 boots is relatively intuitive. The Crescent Moon SPL binding system on these snowshoes will fit up to a size 15 boot. We used them, on different trips, with a pair of LOWA Cevedale GTX mountaineering boots and a pair of Kamik Patriot 3 snow boots. The synthetic strap binding system uses a ratchet adjustment at the heel section and a webbed strap system at the front. A grab-handle for the forward binder allows you to cinch down the toe-section around the front of the boot. At the heel, the ratchet binding can be adjusted so you can pre-set the fit for easy in and out of the shoe.

Gold 10 binding system is easy on-off, and secure on the trail.

Up in Mt. San Jacinto, the trail and terrain are more vertical, so conditions compelled us to climb and dig-in with upward momentum in these Crescent Moons. We were ascending upward along the snow encased trail, sometimes scrambling while other times just trudging along. On that trip these G-10’s were comfortable to use with those stainless steel crampons on the bottom of the shoes to grip the frozen top crust over a couple feet of snow.

That session in the snow started out gripping up a crusty, frozen, snow-covered trail in the morning and softened up a bit as the sun warmed the day. With no real weight on board, hiking and striding along the trail in the Gold 10’s was straight forward walking. There were no shoe tangles or awkwardness having to become accustomed to them. The G-10’s worked intuitively for this writer. That’s saying something right there because the guy wearing the shoes is not a graceful person.

Another thing we like about the binding system is that it’s easy, reliable and secure, even with gloved hands. On a later overnight trip in the Sierra Nevada, these snowshoes went on in the dark and came off in the dark. With only a headlamp to illuminate the effort, it is nice to be able to slip into the Gold 10’s and acquire the traction quick. The nighttime temperatures were in the single digits up in the Sierra’s, and it was serious cold. It didn’t escape our observation how pliable the binding system remains, especially when the snowshoes are simply planted in the snow throughout the night. When it came time to latch on the snowshoes, the bindings are good to go.

There was no tendency for the bindings to give-up the hold on the feet. The bindings were secure throughout each hike and snow

Crescent Moon Gold 10 bindings deliver full range of motion.

session we used them on. When you do want to snug up the snowshoe bindings on the Gold 10’s, it’s just a matter of reaching down and pulling on the harness strap. The primary harness strap is easy to grab with gloved hands and it tightens the toe and forefoot sections of the binding system. Once you have the heel strap adjusted to the length of your boots, the fore foot section is the main binding you can use to get in and out of the snowshoes.

Gold 10 Series Backcountry snowshoes are constructed of stout aluminum tube frames covered with synthetic webbing made out of recycled materials. At the front section of the shoe, the toe webbing appears to be a nylon material. And from the foot back vinyl webbing provides the floatation on the snow. All webbing is securely riveted to the frame. Both the materials and overall quality of construction lead one to assess these Crescent Moon snowshoes as being well built.

At a suggested retail price of $269.00, the Gold-Series 10 snowshoes are a significant investment, but considering how many years they could serve, and how easy they are to strap on your feet and walk over the snow, they are to be a good investment for living and playing in snow country. While we had these snowshoes in with us, we scanned competitor types and found these to be on the high-end of quality and capability, in our view.

Stainless steel crampons performed on icy trails second to none.

Each snowshoe weighs little more than two pounds. If you are wearing warm boots you won’t be feeling any weight from the snowshoes. Shoe frames are anodized aluminum tubing constructed in a teardrop shape. Each frame measures 10 inches wide by 32 inches long. The pair of G-10’s we had a blast in were, as the photos indicate, bright metallic cherry red. Your other color choice is brilliant metallic green.

Up at the toe of Gold-10 there’s plenty of width and floatation directly under and in front of your foot. At the rear of the shoe, the shape of the frame behind the foot pulls into a pintail. Whether walking under the load of a winter backpack, and heavier gear, or snowshoeing without the extra weight, the Gold 10’s are great for walking and striding in a natural motion and gate.

• 4.4lbs, recommended for snowshoers up to 225 lbs
• 10 x 32 in, teardrop shaped frame for more athletic feel than traditional shapes
• Excellent flotation in deep snow and winter pack weights

Wuksachi Lodge of Sequoia National Park, CA. Click all photos to enlarge.

By Mary Webb

Photos by: Barbara Thomas and Wuksachi Lodge

Wuksachi Lodge; named from the Wuksachi band of Western Monache Native Americans who seasonally used the area, prior to Euro-American settlement.  While these Native Americans were historically known to live in conical huts, covered with slabs of bark, the Wuksachi Lodge has 102 spacious guest rooms.

Located in the Sequoia National Forest, the spirit of the Wuksachi still lives in this peaceful place.  Built in 1999, Wuksachi Lodge reflects the pristine forest and abundance of animals that attracted the Wuksachi to this region. You can see this theme echo throughout the architecture, activities and attentive staff who serve their guests.

Traveling to Wuksachi Lodge, we stopped at the park entrance station where we were met by a friendly park ranger, checking in at 4000 feet in elevation.  Here is where $20 parking passes are obtained, lasting for a one week stay in the Sequoia National Forest. Yearly passes may be purchased as well to this and other nearby park locations.  Location maps and areas of interest are also provided to forest guests at this juncture.  Winter weather conditions may affect the ability to travel to the lodge, it is recommended that visitors check the road and weather conditions before their departure by calling (559) 565-3341.

The winding road leading to the 7,200 foot elevation at Wuksachi Lodge is a 25 mile ascent.  As we made our way up, the

Your room is ready at Wuksachi Lodge. Each room is different and comfortable.

temperatures went down; however, intermittent Sequoias dotting the road side warmed our hearts with their greatness.  Caution needs to be taken while heading to the lodge, as bear and deer commonly frequent the roadside.  We spotted a family of deer on the outskirts of the pavement, assessing our SUV in the rural terrain.  As we neared the 7,000 mark in elevation, we were in awe of the breathtaking views below us.  A sea of clouds shimmered at the base of the mountains, reminiscent of the Pacific Ocean near our home town we were leaving for two full days.

Arriving to the Wuksachi Lodge in the evening was a welcoming experience!  Upon pulling up to the entrance of the main lodge, soft amber lights set the building aglow against the surrounding snow, creating a beacon of light.  The Christmas tree was by no means any competition, drawing itself to the foyer of the lodge.  Upon check in, our path seemed to be lit by the explosive array of stars in the sky!  We felt we would be scooped up at any minute by the big dipper, and become part of the constellations.

The Superior room we stayed in is located about 200 yards from the main lodge area.  The three affiliated lodging units where the rooms are situated are the Sequoia Lodge, Silliman Lodge and Stewart Lodge.  We had the opportunity to stay in the Silliman lodge building, named after the Silliman peak to the north east.

Silliman wing at Wuksachi Lodge, CA.

There are luggage carts available from the parking lot to the lodges; really liked the “snow tires” that were on the carts to assist our way up the snowy path to the room.  Be mindful not to have any food items left in the car. There are plenty of black bears around the area who would love to partake in a midnight snack in your car!

After a long snowy drive, we melted in our Silliman Lodge room.  The Superior room allowed us to set up a cheese platter and night cap in the nook off to the side.  Panels located at the onset are able to be shut to provide a little more privacy if desired.  Wuksachi’s 10 year anniversary in 2009 gave way to renovation as new bedding, carpet and furniture were administered.  The temperature in the room was set to “toasty,” warming us for a good night’s sleep in preparation for the next day’s activities.

In the morning, blue skies, pink undertones and 70 degree weather presented itself to us on our way to meet our snowshoe guide, Carolyn Pistilli. Pistilli has been the camp manager for many years at the lodge!  She took us for an intermediate snowshoeing excursion through the Sequoias.  Don’t worry if you don’t have your own snowshoes while visiting the park, Wuksachi lodge has them available for rent for less than $20 a day.

Giant sequoias live at a much higher altitude, mostly between a 5,000 and 7,000 foot elevation level.   After securing our snow

General Sherman Giant Sequoia standing next to a human travel writer.

shoes, we set out for General Sherman, the largest known tree in the world!

There are various levels of snowshoeing in the area. Children may snowshoe as well, and Wuksachi Lodge is able to provide them with snowshoeing gear. The referenced map indicates a few of the non-exhaustive possibilities for snowshoeing adventures.  We chose to travel the Crescent Trail.   Each trail in the Sequoia National forest is clearly marked on the visitor’s map, and it is very important to be aware of these markers while traversing so you don’t become lost.

While there were several large creeks along our snowshoeing trek, we did not witness any Sequoias along the creek beds, these great trees do not take kindly to water. The Sequoias have a shallow and wide spreading root system. They only root to 12- to 14-feet deep even at maturity. A mature Sequoia’s roots can occupy more than one acre of earth!

Our guide Carolyn Pistilli, demonstrated a sincere love for the region and extensive knowledge were a powerful combination!  The air was still but our hearts were eager as we witnessed miracle upon miracle of Mother Nature.

The sugar pines were sweet, especially when thrown against the Sequoias!  We had a fun time hearing the only sound of the forest of these little gems thrust against the great trees.  No need to be concerned, as the Great Sequoias are made of a “sponge-like” bark that rejects any real damage to their being.  As a matter of fact; at the turn of century, loggers tried to use Sequoias to build their homes, but  the wood was too soft. The wood would shatter when split, so early settlers only used the wood for shingles and shakes.

Carolyn Pistilli brings 16 years of year-round experience amongst the Sequoia.

Marching our way to meet the General, we discovered such beauty along the way; through Stand alone beauty as well as contrast.

Sequoias do not develop Moss on their exterior, possibly because of the tannins that are inherent in the bark.  The tannins are also responsible for warding off wildfire, as is evident among several of the burned trees.

The General Sherman tree stands at a height of 275 feet!  Formerly known as the Carl Marx tree, General Sherman is about 2,300 to 2,700 years old.  It was named after General William Tecumseh Sherman, American Civil War leader, by naturalist James Wolverton in 1879.  General Sherman attracts visitors from all around, calling attention to its majestic features. Perspectives were evident in many aspects, particularly though investigation of the pine cone seeds. Our guide Carolyn informed us that these small pine cones, while seemingly insignificant, hold the potential to becoming a great Sequoia.

“No one knows the mysteries of life or its ultimate meaning,
but for those who are willing
to believe in their dreams and in themselves,
life is a precious gift in which anything is possible.” –  Dena DiIaconi

As with any measure of great success, something must be implemented to produce growth.  In the case of the Great Sequoia, these

Breakfast at Wuksachi Lodge offers morning serenity.

events are the Douglas squirrel and wildfires.  As the Douglas squirrel seeks an afternoon snack, it unwittingly opens a door to the forest’s future.  The fleshy green scales of the young cones are a major food source for the squirrel. As squirrels eat the scales of the cone throughout the year, Sequoia seeds are released into the soil.  Various wildfires that develop in the summer months of the National forest also provide an opportunity for these small cones to crack and disperse seed along the forest floor.  We heard these squirrels laughing amongst the black capped Chickadee birds; what fun they have implementing Mother Nature’s inceptions.

Making our way along the trail we came upon the “House,” a group of trees along the Congressional Trail. We really enjoyed standing in the center of these great trees.  As we shouted out to the sky, our voices were but a small cry in the acoustics of the grouping.

As we headed back to the main lodge, Carolyn discussed the various trails in greater depth.  Pear Lake Trail is a more advanced snowshoeing hike; about six miles one way, for a 12 mile round trip.  The trail leads to a ski hut that sleeps 10, so make your reservations in advance.  For $35 a night, beautiful views and special time with friends can be yours.  Oh, and don’t worry… there is a heating source up there to keep you warm in the evening.

Also, Rangers give free snowshoeing expeditions during the winter weekends.   Anyone is welcome to come, and visitors will be issued old fashioned wooden snow shoe rackets.  A great time of nostalgia, as well as informational, as rangers pass along safety precautions and the ways of the forest inhabitants.

Cattle Cabin dates back to 1916.

Our last point of interest for the morning along the Crescent trail was the Cattle Cabin.  The Cattle Cabin is a one-room log cabin built in 1890.  Cattle Cabin is associated with Tharp’s Log as a structure supporting ranching operations in the area. The cabin and the surrounding lands were bought by the National Park Service in 1916.

Making our way back to the lodge, we decided to take in some snow play adventure at the Wolverton Snow Park area.  Sleds and cross-country skis are available for rent at the lodge and Wolverton is just a short distance away to the southeast of Wuksachi.

Bring out your toboggans from home or partake in a snow ball fight!  You are never too old to be a kid again, especially under the watch of the 100 year old trees.

Cross-Country skiing is also permissible in the various trails of the National Park.  Because many areas of snow had melted prior to our visit, we didn’t have an opportunity to ski. But several opportunities are available during most winter season months, particularly after a nice big storm.  Carolyn told us that she often finds solitude and relaxation taking in a ski run through the great trees after work.

If you are looking for more scenic views of the area, visit Moro Rock to the south of Wuksachi.  This beginner’s hike is ideal for those seeking to acclimate

Silliman Wing of Wuksachi Lodge in early morning.

themselves to snow shoeing and cross-country skiing.  By way of the Moro Rock Crescent Meadow Trail, fresh air folks can take the 1.5-mile hike, 3.0 miles round trip to, and inspire your desire for more backwoods adventure!

As we thanked Carolyn for a wonderful day of outdoor hiking and recreation, we prepared to whet OUR appetites for Sierra Alpine cuisine at the Wuksachi dining room.

On the special selection was a delicious Cedar-Planked Salmon.  Dinner was not only fittingly prepared to our current surroundings, but delicious as well.  For those not familiar with this process of cooking, the cedar plank is first soaked in water and as the salmon bakes upon the wood, absorbs the smokiness of the cedar.  The skin lifted right off the salmon and every bite was tender.  In accompaniment were carrots, steamed to perfection and a nice wine from Mendocino.

We ordered the Trout as well, while these fish are not caught locally in the various streams of the forest, they are none the less fresh; prepared with olives and seasonings that will leave you satisfied.  If you desire to fish on your trip to the National park, there are opportunities to do so in the various streams and creeks.

January, 2011 will bring a new Chef to Wuksachi lodge.  The Chef will be arriving from “Geneva on the Lake” in Ohio; bringing not only fresh ideas, but also sustainable and organic cuisine.  His anticipated arrival will be a welcome addition to the already well established gourmet dining experience at Wuksachi.

Before retiring, there was one more snow shoeing trek to be explored.  Carolyn informed us of a star-gazing opportunity behind our lodge in a near-by snow covered parking lot that was closed for the winter.  What an excellent way to allow our dinner to settle in and take in the wonderment of the evening sky once again!

As we said our farewells to the pleasant folk in Wuksachi, we stopped by the lodge gift shop for some Christmas cards and last minute gifts.  We knew lucky travelers would be visiting the lodge during their holiday season, as this is a popular destination point at this time of year.  But don’t forget spring, summer, and fall seasons. There is no end to the glorious views year round.

And yes, farewell is certainly not good bye as we will be visiting Wuksachi in the summer of 2011.  Not only to experience the latest cuisine, but also to take part in the summer program lead by Carolyn Pistilli.  Bearpaw High Sierra Camp has been a popular experience for tent-cabin campers for 16 years! Countless trails and day hikes, ranging from three to 18 miles round-trip begin from this High Sierra Camp.  This is also where you can get that fishing in if you were thinking of doing so.  Local streams and lakes surround the camp.  If you are interested in this delightful experience lead by Carolyn, make your reservations early, this fills up quickly.

Wuksachi tribe recently blessed the lodge in 2009, marking the 10-year anniversary.   A master plan for the lodge calls for a build out to 414 rooms.  Sounds like a plan to us, and may the Wuksachi bless the anticipated facilities in 2019! You can check out Wuksachi in greater detail; become a fan on Facebook, or visit to book a room on their website at:

http://www.visitsequoia.com/lodging.aspx

Map of region around Wuksachi Lodge.

Sources:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/seki/snrm/gf/new/wuksachi.htm