Hold on! Throughout the winter, many trails in Zion can be snowy or icy, making it difficult for hikers to stay upright. But bighorn sheep seem to have few issues, even on the steepest of slopes. Why? The answer is in their hooves. The hard outer rim of the hoof cuts into the ground or ice, while a soft, rough inner pad allows for better grip. And that classic “cloven hoof” gives them a little extra traction, allowing them to clutch onto surfaces like a clothespin. Since we’re guessing you’re not planning on growing out your toenails *that* long, a better bet for humans hiking on snowy trails is to use traction devices on their shoes, such as coils, spikes, or crampons. Although they look pretty different than hooves, these play a similar function, with sharper pieces that can bite into the snow and ice. Remember, though, that no system is foolproof—even sheep slip sometimes, so take it slow!