Stark images, marrow-chilling cold and amazing starscapes are all part of what makes winter hiking so wonderful. Thanks to my friend Lorrie Preston who supplied this photo of snow patterns on an evergreen near Mad Tom Notch on the A.T. in Vermont. Winter is not an excuse to sit in front of the television dreaming of spring wildflowers. It is an opportunity to experience the outdoors at its best. (Photo by Lorrie Preston, all rights reserved).