February third, early afternoon, in Lucas, Ohio. Snow was pushing close to knee-deep in sections, trail lines invisible under fresh powder, and Luna’s boot disappearing off her feet every few minutes. Clearly winter set the rules for this hike.
Second stop of the day
My day started near butler Ohio at hemlock falls. Then I headed to Malabar Farm State Park, the second destination was Ferguson Falls. Trail visibility was nonexistent due to drifting snow, which meant frequent stops to re-locate the path and recover gear. What should have been a straightforward 1.5-mile outing turned into a slow navigation exercise, step-checking terrain, scanning for blazes, and occasionally backtracking.
After losing the trail twice and my dogs boots many times, continuing deeper into the system became impractical. Snow depth increased, movement slowed significantly, and losing the trail entirely became a real possibility. The plan shifted to have me reschedule my return for less snowy conditions.
Our final intended stop, was at Mt. Jeez Overlook. This also turned out to be inaccessible. The access road had a latched gate and was unplowed. Clearly ending the attempt there. Winter closures are common for overlook roads in the area, especially following heavier snowfall. This was one of those days where the landscape quietly decided the turnaround point.
Although the distance covered remained short, the hike delivered the familiar lesson winter hikers know well: mileage means less than conditions. Navigation, pacing, and knowing when to pivot matter more than reaching every planned stop.
Say it. Don’t spray it.