Shawano Pathways is once again hosting a series of snowshoe hikes on area trails this winter.
First up is a moonlit hike at 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at Kroenke Lake.
Meet in the parking lot for a choice of three guided options: one hour, 90 minutes or two hours.
As with all of the hikes, no experience is necessary. Bring your own snowshoes if you have them. If you don’t have snowshoes, let organizers know ahead of time, and they’ll try to find some for you.
Arrive at parking lot 20 minutes before start time to register and put on snowshoes.
Kroenke Lake is eight miles northwest of Shawano on Beech Road, just north of Butternut Road. Search on your smart device for Kroenke Lake State Natural Area.
If you can’t make this guided event, download the map at www.shawanopathways.org/ and explore the trails on your own time.
Next up is a winter hike at Cotter Creek Trails, the site of Joel Kroenke’s home and concert series, W9050 Broadway Road, Shawano. This daytime hike will begin at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 24.
If there is no or limited snow cover, bring boots with traction (e.g., Yaktrax ice cleats). Preregistration is not required.
A bonfire will be going.
A daytime and a nighttime hike will be offered at Maple Hills Recreation Area, N4260 State Highway 22, Shawano, about 1.5 miles south of state Highway 29.
Meet in the parking lot to explore the revived snowshoe trails. The hikes will be held with or without snow.
Arrive at the parking lot 20 minutes before start time to register and put on snowshoes.
There will be two guided routes, one about 90 minutes and another at two hours.
The moonlit hike will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 31. The daytime hike will be held at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 22.
Shawano Pathways’ winter hikes will tentatively end March 7 at the Sugar Shack Trails. This date is tentative based on weather and syrup making conditions.
The event is set to begin at 9:30 a.m.
Meet by the shed near the road for a choice of three guided options: 45 minutes, 90 minutes or two hours.
If there is no or limited snow cover, bring boots with traction (e.g., Yaktrax ice cleats). Preregistration is not required.
The parking area is just past the trails at N7049 Ash Road, Shawano. Watch for signs.
Maple syrup will be available for purchase after this hike (cash or check only).
These trail are not open for non-guided hikes through 2026 due to logging on the property.
All hikes are free, although donations are welcome to pay for maps and trail upkeep.
Contact Matty Mathison at 715-304-9796 or 28degreesandsnowing@gmail.com with questions. Follow the group’s Facebook page for updates.
