Grab the Jacket That Will Make This Hike in North Dakota 100% Worth Braving the Cold

We are no strangers to cold weather here, particularly during winter in North Dakota. In fact, we get enough of it every year that if we didn't get out and embrace it, we'd spend a good portion of our time shut in with cabin fever. Fortunately, most of us are hardy folks who are happy to head out into the brisk air to snowmobile, snowshoe, fish, skate, ski, and enjoy all manner of other activities. The only thing we need is the right gear to do it. Personally, I'm a big fan of winter hiking, and one of my favorite spots to get out into the woods during winter is the Denbigh Experimental Forest Trail. And with the right layers, I can get out and enjoy this fantastic winter hike in South Dakota in just about any weather.

This trail is a wooded loop that comes in at just under four miles. It's never crowded, and it's perfect for enjoying all the winter splendor of these North Dakota woods.

Whether you're hiking, snowshoeing, or cutting a cross-country ski trail, this moderately challenging route will get your heart pumping and your soul stirring. Just imagine the smell of the pines and no sounds but your feet crunching into the snow. On a sunny, winter day, there's not much that's better.

Out on the trail, I layer to stay warm. I use a synthetic base for my legs and torso and a mid-layer for my core. I usually choose a fleece hoodie or on days with the possibility of temperature swings, a vest. Because my legs are working when I hike or snowshoe, two layers is usually all I need. For an outer layer on my legs, I opt for fleece pants. On extremely cold days, I may use a pair of rain or snow pants as an additional wind layer over the fleece. Wool socks with synthetic liners is my go-to set up for my feet. I always bring water-resistant gloves and on super cold days, wear a gaiter or balaclava to protect my face.

And my favorite outer layer is a Thermoball Hoodie from The North Face. It's lightweight and packable, so if I get warm and need to take it off, it's easy to stuff in my daypack. But it's also super warm and wind-resistant; with the right mid-layer, it does the work of much heavier jackets. Proper gear makes just about any winter hike in North Dakota worth braving the cold to do. What are some of your favorite winter hikes? We'd love to hear all about them.