Stopping by Lynn Woods on a snowy evening

Lynn Woods in winter is, to put it mildly, a little jarring.The field by the Great Woods Road parking lot, where runners cross the finish line during the summer cross country races, was covered with snow last week. The grassy plain had become a frozen tundra … and remember, this was before the big snowfall.Still, for those who want to keep going “Out and Back” in the Woods in winter – including our group of Chris, Dottie, Kathy, Kim and myself last week – it is possible. Headlights turned on (I forgot mine), we walked up the notorious hill that greets runners in the summer races.It was a good night to walk the Woods instead of run them. The paths were coated in snow, some of which felt packed and crunchy. When overly large branches lay in our way, we moved them off to the side.As far as I can remember, we only saw two other people in the Woods that night … a pair of runners. (Even after the blizzard on Tuesday, I see some diehards running outdoors, with at least one person in shorts.) However, judging from the footprints – or, should I say, pawprints – in the snow, it seems the wildlife has kept coming to the Woods in winter. I thought I saw rabbit tracks on the side of Great Woods Road.In going through the Woods at this time of year, it?s probably a good idea to layer up. I wore my heavy green winter coat and multiple layers underneath. It does get cold out there, and there is a wind effect when you reach the other side of Walden Pond. That said, cold weather or no cold weather, you still might work up a sweat going uphill on the way back.There is a serenity to the Woods in winter. While it may be a bit of a downer to see night arrive early, and while the leaves have long since fallen from the trees, it was a thrill to see the stars gleaming between the bare branches.Of course, as we finished our walk, it was also heartening to see one manmade light … the one in the parking lot, signifying the end of a rewarding visit.