By Laurie Lenten

It’s known by different names depending on culture – the Moon after Yule, the Wolf Moon, the Ice or the Snow Moon – but no matter what you call it, the full moon that is set to appear on Jan. 10, 2020, will not only be the first full moon of the new year, but also its first lunar eclipse.

Whether basking in the light of a full moon on a winter’s eve is part of your regular routine, or a long thought about “to-do” item on your bucket list, you will have a chance to enjoy some nighttime revelry under the full moon at the WinMan Moon-shoe event 8-9:30 p.m., Friday, Jan.10. The event is sponsored by the North Lakeland Discovery Center.

The WinMan Trails, located in the northwestern section of the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest between Manitowish Waters and Winchester, is a relatively new trail system that has quickly become recognized as one of the premier year-round silent sports destinations in the Midwest. The trails are laid out on 1,300 acres of both private and state land that lies in an area known as the Winger Moraines – a glacial deposit that formed ridges and mounds – that creates the spot-on perfect terrain for exciting and challenging mountain bike, ski and snowshoe trails.

The WinMan Trails boast five miles of groomed snowshoe loops with signage; 12-plus miles of groomed ski trails for both striding and skate skiing; and over 11 miles of machine built flow trails for mountain biking, including more technical features to the sides of the main trails for advanced riders.

So strap on your snowshoes and come prepared to travel among the trees and shadows along the WinMan Trails during this winter moonlit adventure, where a guide from the Discovery Center will challenge you to observe the world in a different light. Participants will meet at the WinMan Trail parking lot, four miles north of Manitowish Waters, at the intersection of highways W and J.

The cost for the event is $10 for members of the Discovery Center and $12 for non-members. Space is limited. Registration is required and must be received by Thursday, Jan. 9.

For more information on the WinMan Moon-shoe event, call the North Lakeland Discovery Center at 715-543-2085, or register for the event by logging onto www.discoverycenter.net and following the Calendar of Events link on the right side of the page.

Laurie Lenten is a freelance writer who lives in Rhinelander. Her articles also appear in Northwoods Commerce, Northwoods ‘boomers and Beyond and Living on the Lake magazines.