Despite the unseasonably mild weather, it has actually been a pretty good winter on the ski slopes. If you've been staying home 'cause there's no snow in your yard, you've been missing out.

But even better, in my opinion, it's been a fine winter for hiking. Regular hiking, kind of, sort of. Unencumbered by the usual snowshoes and many feet of snow on the trail. A real treat.

It's odd, but I've enjoyed it tremendously. Strap on the traction devices and go.

And so I have. One recent weekend to the Oxford Hills, a favorite and reasonably close by area of underused trails and mountains.

I like that. Always have. Figured you might too.

Mount Tire'm in Waterford and then Sabattus Mountain in Lovell were on the hiking docket. A couple of easy peaks just over a thousand feet.

Small, yes, but big in solitude and scenery. And low in people numbers.

I like that, too. You get what I mean.

So grab your AMC Maine Mountain Guide. And your DeLorme Maine Atlas and Gazzetteer. And make your way into Oxford County from wherever.

And have some good hiking fun...

Hiking up the icy Daniel Brown Trail on Mount Tire'm in Waterford.

View of Bear Pond and Bear Mountain, with Long Lake in the distance.

A well-preserved stone wall in the forest just past the summit of Mount Tire'm.

No showshoes were required on this rather balmy winter day.

Brilliant quartzite outcrop on summit ridge of Sabattus Mountain in Lovell.

The dramatic cliffs on the southwest face of Sabattus Mountain.

A park bench, strangely perched on the clifftop on Sabattus.

Hiking along the spectacular cliffs atop Sabattus Mtn.

The snow-covered White Mountains and Kezar Lake from Sabattus Mtn.

My new Yaktrax didn't hold up very well after just one hike.

End-of-trail stop in Naples: Some call Bray's the center of the universe. At times I do believe it is.

Have you hiked in the Oxford Hills? What are your favorite trails?