Winter Trail Running

Crisp air circulates through your lungs. You exhale and a misty cloud hangs in the cold winter air. High in the mountains, trails turn to mud and ice as snow falls, then freezes. The sun hides behind a thick layer of dark clouds. At lower elevation, mossy soil and gentle rain offer a refreshing environment in the forest canopy. You lace up your shoes and put on your vest. It’s the perfect day for a trail run.

Why winter trail running

Trail running takes you outside, away from busy streets to the trails. Forested or mountainous, well-maintained or overgrown, nicely graveled or covered with rocks and roots… there are thousands of runnable trails in Washington state. While similar to hiking, trail running allows you to move faster, explore further, and stay active all year long.

The best thing about trail running is you can do it whenever you want, not just as weather permits. During the winter, the trails are fairly empty as many recreationists pause their activities to avoid the mud and rain. But the folks who do brave less-than-ideal conditions often come back with better memories, stronger friendships, and funnier stories. Plus, tromping through the mud is undeniably fun.

A winter conditioning night run at Cougar Mountain in December 2023.

The Winter Trail Running Conditioning course

When you join the trail running community at The Mountaineers, you’ll see The Mountaineers culture and values at play. Our friendly, open, and welcoming community is reflected in our courses as well as the trips we organize, which provide safe spaces for all abilities, paces, and experiences. A shared sentiment among Mountaineers trail running leaders is that if we wanted to run fast, we’d run alone. We trail run with The Mountaineers because we want to be in community, enjoying each other’s company at a comfortable pace for the whole group.

Our Winter Trail Running Conditioning course began in 2023. The course focuses on conditioning, whether that be maintaining fitness built in the summer or getting in shape to start the new year strong. The course also tests your commitment to starting a new journey, all while adventuring in beautiful outdoor spaces in any weather with fun, supportive people.

“The three most challenging things about trail running are being alone, running in the dark, and being cold or wet,” shared one trail running leader. “Try to eliminate one of those, and you will have a lot more fun.” Our Winter Trail Running Conditioning course eliminates the challenge of being alone, which makes running in the cold, wet darkness a more enjoyable experience.

Throughout the course, we cover foundational materials on how to trail run safely in winter conditions and organize numerous trips to practice. To graduate students must attend the initial lecture and successfully participate in two runs per month in December, January, and February. While necessary for graduation, we see these trips as more than requirements: they are opportunities to create adventure, community, and lasting memories during a season that can be challenging for many. “I don’t feel obligated to complete these activities – I feel grateful,” shared Trail Running Leader Alex Bendig. “It’s not that I have to do these things. I get to. I get to meet new people who are passionate about the outdoors. I get to explore cool trails from a new perspective. And I get to find other people who are willing to run when it’s cold, dark, and wet outside.”

A winter conditioning run on Christmas Eve 2023 at Little Si.

More than just a workout

Our trail running community strives to be a welcoming space for all Mountaineers. “I'm not sure if this is a testament to [the] leadership style or something woven into the fabric of The Mountaineers… but I was overjoyed at the diversity of our running group,” shared one Mountaineer after a trail running event at Tiger Mountain. “It’s so inspiring to be in such a diverse group with such similar interests.”

In addition to Winter Trail Running Conditioning, we offer a variety of trail running courses throughout the year, such as Introduction to Trail Running: Frontcountry, a perfect way to meet others who are new to the sport, Introduction to Trail Running: Backcountry, which teaches participants how to trail run safely in remote wilderness settings, and Introduction to Trail Running: Fastpacking, which combines trail running with ultralight backpacking, enabling you to go lighter, travel farther, and stay out overnight safely. We also offer Introduction to Trail Racing: 25K that’s designed to help participants prepare for a 25K trail race, as well as a Trail Running Weekend at Baker Lodge where new and old friends can enjoy great food and a few miles together on some of the most scenic trails through the Mount Baker Wilderness.

Whether you’re a new or experienced runner, we have plenty of offerings to get you outside and running safely. This year’s Winter Trail Running Conditioning course is already underway, but there are plenty of other opportunities to get on the trails with fellow Mountaineers. We regularly offer trail running trips that are open to members and guests. Get outside with us this winter by checking out trail running activities on The Mountaineers website. We look forward to meeting you out on the trails soon!

TIPS FOR WINTER TRAIL RUNNING

Know yourself. Consider your comfort zone in cold, dark, rainy, or snowy conditions. Developing your trail running skills will take time. Remember that experiencing joy, struggle, and routine helps you improve.

Jump in all the puddles. You’re going to get wet, so let your inner child out and jump in as many puddles as possible instead of avoiding them.

Embrace the mud. It’s inevitable that you will get muddy… everywhere. Bring a change of clothes and something to cover your car seat.

Adjust pacing. When it’s dark and wet, slow your pace to reduce the likelihood of tripping or falling.

Layer up. Appropriate technical layers are a must. Always carry gloves, a hat, a rain jacket, and an extra layer, even if you don’t easily get cold. You never know when you’ll need to slow down or stop, which can put you at risk of hypothermia if you don’t layer up quickly.

Stay hydrated and fueled. Carry hydration and snacks when you plan to run longer than 60 minutes. Aim to consume 300 calories per hour. Always carry enough calories to ensure you have energy for an extra hour.

Share your plans. Even frontcountry runs in the winter can be unpredictable. Make sure someone knows your location and intended route, and always have an emergency plan.

Keep your headlamp charged. Daylight is fleeting during winter, so always carry a charged headlamp. When you return home, put your headlamp immediately on the charger so it’s always ready for a run.

Stay optimistic. Remember, the weather always looks worse from inside!

This article originally appeared in our winter 2025 issue of Mountaineer magazine. To view the original article in magazine form and read more stories from our publication, visit our magazine archive.