The winter solstice officially occurs at 3:21 a.m. Saturday. Among other things, the day marks the beginning of the “official” winter hiking season in the Adirondacks. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise reports there are a variety of hiking challenges across the region with specific designations for mountains completed during winter. Popular local challenges include the 46 High Peaks, Lake Placid 9er, Saranac Lake 6er, Tupper Lake Hiking Triad and Adirondack Firetower Challenge, among others.