first snowy hike at craven gap left me shivering

I bundled up and dragged myself out to Craven Gap in Asheville, hoping to catch the first snow of the season on the trails. The trees looked magical, all dusted in white, but let me tell you, the wind cut right through my jacket. We spent 20 minutes just trying to find a parking spot because apparently everyone else had the same idea. Once we finally got on the trail, I realized my boots weren’t as waterproof as I thought—my socks were soaked within the first half hour. I kept thinking, is it just me, or do these winter hikes always look better in photos than they feel in real life? My knees were aching from the cold, and I kept slipping on icy patches. I love the idea of a peaceful snowy walk, but honestly, I was counting down the minutes until I could get back to the car and blast the heat. Has anyone else tried hiking Craven Gap in the snow? Did you find it worth the trouble, or am I just getting too old for this kind of adventure? #Asheville #CravenGap #WinterHiking #Travel