Winter hiking can be stunningly beautiful: The quiet snow-covered forest, frozen streams and waterfalls, animal paw prints in the snow, fewer people - and no mosquitoes! 

However, enjoying that beauty requires a few extra precautions. Here are some tips to make your time outdoors in the winter safer: 

"What do you mean you hike alone?"

I recognize there are risks to hiking alone - but since I (and millions of other people) don't intend to stop, let's talk about doing it more safely: