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.
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.






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.