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First Posted: 2/3/2012 If you consider this season "the winter that wasn't," you might be pining for lower temperatures and enough powdery precipitation to go sledding and build a snow fort or two.
But before you start packing for the Grand Tetons of Wyoming or the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana &amp;#8211; where at least 6 inches of fresh snowfall was forecast this week &amp;#8211; remember WinterFest 2012, set for Saturday at Hickory Run State Park, can be fun with or without snow.
"You can always find some signs or traces of animals," environmental education specialist Carly Hitzfeld said, explaining the tracking hike will take place whether or not snowy trails are filled with imprints of deer hooves or rabbit feet.
 "You can look for places where porcupines are gnawing on trees, or for logs that were turned over by bears before denning season when they were looking for insects."
Sled-dog owners expect to bring their tail-wagging team to WinterFest and folks from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will be on hand, Hitzfeld said, though their ice-fishing lessons are likely to consist of less demonstration, more show-and-tell.
Representatives of disc-golf clubs and the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association will attend the festival as well, ready to explain how you can take part in their activities any time of year.
Disc golf is like miniature golf, except you throw a flying disc, and orienteering is the traditional (pre-Global Positioning System) way of finding a specific location with a map and compass.
"If we get enough people we have some educational games to get the kids moving," Hitzfeld said. "Ice games with snow and shovels are probably not going to happen."
So far this year, local state parks have seen only one weekend with appreciable snow. On Jan. 21-22, visitors were able to borrow cross-country skis from the park office at Nescopeck State Park, whose staff also oversees Hickory Run and Lehigh Gorge state parks and has planned the WinterFest.
 With 4 inches, there was enough snow for skiing but still not enough for snowshoeing. The office only lends snow shoes when there is at least 6 inches.
 This year "has been tough" for snow-lovers, Hitzfeld said.
But those diehards needn't despair. Close to seven weeks of winter remain.
"All we need is one good snowfall, and we'll be very busy," Hitzfeld predicted.
<hl2 style="infobox">If you go</hl2>
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What: WinterFest 2012

When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday

Schedule: Animal-tracks hike at 11:15 a.m., ice-safety talk at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., introduction to orienteering at 11:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m., ice-fishing demo 12:30 and 2 p.m. and introduction to disc golf at 1 and 2:30 p.m.

Where: Sand Springs day-use area, Hickory Run State Park, White Haven

More info: 403-2006
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Celebrate winter without white