Happy 2015! It’s that time of year again, so grab your hiking boots and head to your local state park to hike away last night’s festivities and begin the new year on the right foot–out with family and friends enjoying nature.
All 50 state park systems will sponsor free, guided First Day Hike programs today. Last year, over 28,000 people hiked 66,811 miles in the state parks across the country. America’s State Parks hope that hiking along a trail in your local park will become part of your and your family’s regular exercise routine this year.
State park staff and volunteers will lead the hikes, which range in duration and level of difficulty. For example, my local state park hike will be 7.5-8.5 miles on beautiful Mount Tamalpais this morning. We celebrate with snacks and refreshments on the top of East Peak at the finish and earn a commemorative pin in the process.
Details about hike locations, difficulty and length, terrain and tips regarding proper clothing are listed on the America’s State Parks website. You still have time to make a hike, so visit www.naspd.org and click on your state to find the First Day Hike nearest you. Be sure to tag all your photos #firstdayhike.