Moonlight snowshoeing - Featherstonhaugh State Forest

This evening, I led a moonlight snowshoeing trip for Schenectady ADK, the first that's been possible this winter. I try to do this every winter month just before the full moon, but this is the first time we've had enough snow this season. Featherstonhaugh State Forest, a short drive away but at an elevation 1,000 feet higher, still has a good bit of snow from last week's storm. Five of us headed out into the winter woods, with only the moon (and an occasional camera flash) to light our way. The snow was still relatively soft off the side of the ski trail, but the ski tracks themselves were hard and icy, and not the least bit tempting to ski in.



The moon tonight was 93% full, and really lit up the whiteness we were walking through. It was a chilly night, with temps only around 20F, but at least the winds had died down from earlier in the day.



As we neared the end of our walk, some unexpected clouds began to roll in, changing the stark moonlight shadows to a more milky glow.



It was nice to finally get out on this trip, even if only once this crazy snowless winter, and a good time was had by all.