Arts, Dining & Entertainment

Join Vermont State Parks for free, guided 2017 First Day hikes

Sunday, Jan. 1—VERMONT—Start the New Year on the right foot and get outside for a First Day Hike in a Vermont state park. Individuals and groups are invited to join one of several free, family-friendly hiking events taking place on Jan. 1 throughout the state in beautiful parks and forests. Professional guides and outdoor educators will lead the way, sharing their knowledge and love of the Vermont outdoors.
The hikes have different starting times and anticipated durations. See below for a list of offered hikes and details. Pre-registration is not required; simply show up ready to enjoy the outdoors and the company of other participants. Dress for the weather and bring beverages and snacks. If there are several feet of snow on the ground, please consider bringing snowshoes. Dogs are welcome on leash unless otherwise noted.
Don’t need a guide? Take advantage of the breadth of opportunities to choose your own trek or ramble through Vermont state parks and forests this winter. Find a park near you and discover a new place in its wintery state. Entry to State parks in the winter is free.
Local schedule:
Ascutney State Park, 1826 Back Mountain Rd, Windsor
Guide: Scott Davison (The Woodstock Naturalist)
Meet: 10 a.m. at the ranger station
Hike: 1-plus hour, easy terrain; not a summit hike
Bomoseen State Park, 22 Cedar Mountain Rd, Fair Haven
Guide: Caitlin Gates (Vermont State Park Interpreter)
Meet: 1 p.m. at park entrance station
Hike: 1-plus hour, easy terrain
Jamaica State Par, 48 Salmon Hole Lane, Jamaica
Guide: Lowell Lake Park Ranger Scott Renker
Meet: 10 a.m. by the park office at the entrance
Hike: 1-plus hour, 1-mile, easy terrain. Participants will have the option of a longer hike along the same trail.
Taconic Mountain Ramble State Park, 5696 Monument Hill Road, Hubbardton
Guide: Alyssa Bennett, Bat Biologist
Meet: Noon at the Hubbardton Battlefield parking lot on Monument Hill Road
Hike: 2-3 hours, easy to moderate terrain, followed by fresh baked cookies
For hike updates on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, call 802-249-1230. For more information on First Day Hikes and to view additional hike offerings as they are added, visit vtstateparks.com or check out Vermont State Parks on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Photo courtesy of Vt. State Parks
Hikers take to the woods outside the Groton Nature Center on the first day of 2016 as part of the annual First Day Hike tradition started by the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation.

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