Choate Mine, Dolfield and Serpentine Trail Loop

Apparently, we only hike the Choate Mine, Dolfield and Serpentine Trail Loop in the snow, our previous visit having been on Valentine’s Day 2021 to try out our new snow gear. Much stomping and growling ensued. There was less growling this time, but similar quantities cronching of spikes on ice. Cronch cronch cronch.

Hiking was followed by a run to the restaurant supply store in Woodlawn for ~~baking sheets and a rolling baking sheet rack~~ glass project storage and bulk spices, birthday takeout from Great Sage, and hair bleaching.

Total distance: 4.24 mi
Max elevation: 709 ft
Min elevation: 495 ft
Total climbing: 510 ft
Total descent: -510 ft
Average speed: 2.81 mi/h
Total time: 01:41:13

Learning from past mistakes, we avoided the craptastic beak-shaped Dolfield Trail that takes you out to the road and back in a river and cut across on the Red Run Trail, nipping out the bad part. Highly recommended. It shortens the trail by 1.2 miles, but they are the worst 1.2 miles. You don’t want them.

The snow had melted well on sun-exposed fields near the beginning, and the gold grasses against the deep blue sky were almost autumnal.

As the trail got back into the trees, the snow remained, with much ice. Spikes made the going easy.

Stats

Distance	4.24 miles
Elevation Gain	377 feet
Moving Time	1 hour, 38 minutes
Total Time	1 hour, 41 minutes
Average Pace	23 minutes per mile / 2.6 mph
Food Consumed	Before the hike: 1 half apple and 3 slices of fontina on 1 slice of toasted sourdough bread During the hike: 1 clif bar
Temperature	21°F and sunny

Recording

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/choate-mine-dolfield-and-serpentine-trail-loop-09d90af–2

Equipment

Backpack	CamelBak Blowfish hydration pack
Navigation	iPhone 11 with AllTrails Pro
Shoes	Hoka One One Speedgoat 4 Gore Tex trailing running shoes
Socks	Injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew Toesocks
Gaiters	Outdoor Research lightweight summer gaiters
Microspikes	Kahtoola MICROspikes Traction System
Poles	none
Hat	Started out with a double-layer fleece stocking cap, downgraded to a thin knit beanie after 30 minutes.
Pants	Thick fleece cargo pants over a base layer.
Torso	Tee, lightweight long-sleeve top, thick fleece hoodie, lightweight insulated coat. I shed the coat after 30 minutes.
Hands	Sprigs Multi-Mitts

I opted for lightweight summer gaiters after recalling that last year, my legs were baking in a single layer of sweatpants plus waterproof gaiters. The snow was not deep, so the main purpose of the gaiters was to keep my pants cuffs out of it, and they served well.

See my current gear, clothing, and thoughts about it on the Hiking Gear page.