The state Parks and Recreation Commission is encouraging Washingtonians to start 2016 with a healthy hike and connect with the diverse natural resources and recreation opportunities found at our state parks.
Wait — a hike on New Year’s Day? Why not?
Many parks will provide guided hikes, with expertise provided by rangers and volunteers. Some of the hikes will be fat-tire bike rides, snowshoe treks, as well as a 5K run. Events will take place in a diverse and dramatic range of landscapes including coastal beaches, islands, waterfalls, lowland forests, historic military batteries, geological points of interest and more.
Jan. 1, 2016 is “State Parks Free” Day. Participants will not need to display the Discover Pass on vehicles to access state parks that day. (So, get started on at least one of those New Year’s resolutions.)
“We’re very excited to once again join other state park systems across the country in the First Day Hikes program,” said Don Hoch, Washington State Parks director. “Washington was among the first states to participate when the (program) began, and we’re pleased this year to be offering more than 25 First Day Hikes in Washington state parks. We hope folks will get their families out to join us for some healthy outdoor activity in the parks on New Year’s Day.”
The First Day Hikes program is part of the America’s State Parks First Day Hikes national initiative organized by the National Association of State Park Directors. The nationwide event first started at Blue Hills Reservation, a state park in Milton, Massachusetts, more than 25 years ago. Since 2013, all 50 state park systems have participated in the First Day Hikes program. For more information about hikes across the country, visit www.naspd.org/initiatives-special-programs/first-day-hikes/.
Most parks will provide refreshments, thanks to a donation from the Washington State Employees Credit Union and the Manufactured Home and Recreational Vehicle Association.
Here’s what’s planned in counties closest to Kitsap. For a complete statewide list, go to AdventureAwaits.com.
Grays Harbor County
— Lake Sylvia State Park: Learn about the history, native plants and animals of the area. A park ranger will lead a 2-mile hike along the trail that loops around the lake. A volunteer will lead a shorter hike as well. Meet at 1 p.m. at the kitchen area.
— Westport Light State Park: Take a 45-minute guided hike to learn more about the history of the area and gain some insight on the dynamic nature of the Pacific coast. Meet at 10 a.m. at the park.
Island County
— Cama Beach State Park: The park is offering two hikes — a short family-friendly stroll with lots of stops for photos starting at noon and a brisk, heart rate-raising hike beginning at 2 p.m. with commanding views of Saratoga Passage and beyond. Meet up for both hikes at the park’s shuttle drop-off shelter.
— Camano Island State Park: The park will be offering two hikes as well. The first hike, beginning at noon is 3-mile hike on the park’s Loop Trail with a focus on exercise. The second hike starts at 2 p.m. and is a leisurely stroll along the Al Emerson Nature Trail. Meet at the group cabins for both hikes.
— Deception Pass State Park: Take a 2-mile hike out to Hoypus Point on Cornet Bay, an easy hike with views of the Deception Pass Bridge, Mount Erie and several small islands. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Cornet Bay boat Launch.
— South Whidbey State Park: The park will have four hikes, rating easy to moderate in difficulty. Volunteer guides will explore art and youth in the outdoors, new interpretive signage, forest ecology and winter birds. All hikes begin at 10 a.m. and leave from in front of the Ranger House.
Jefferson County
— Dosewallips State Park: Take a 3.5-mile hike along the Steam Donkey Loop Trail —where saltwater and classic northwest forest meet. Meet at 11 a.m. at the day-use shelter.
— Fort Flagler Historical State Park: The ranger-led 3-mile roundtrip hike will take participants along the Bluff Trail, with a chance to explore the fort’s historical gun batteries and enjoy the views of Port Townsend Bay and Admiralty Inlet. Meet at 11 a.m. at the park office.
— Fort Worden Historical State Park: Following a brief historical talk, take a hike up to Artillery Hill and explore the many coastal defense gun batteries in the park. Meet at 1 p.m. at Memory’s Vault.
King County
— Cedar Butte (Olallie and Iron Horse state parks): This ranger-led, 3-mile hike will take participants up to the top of Cedar Butte to learn about the significant 1918 flood that wiped out a nearby logging town. Meet at 10 a.m. at Cedar Falls Trailhead in Iron Horse State Park.
— Dash Point State Park: Take a nature walk at 10 a.m. or a beach walk at noon — or both. A park volunteer will also lead a Junior Ranger program at 11 a.m. at the park’s amphitheater. Hikers should also meet at the amphitheater.
— Flaming Geyser State Park: Learn about this park’s role in regional mining history while exploring the local flora and fauna. Part of the tour involves hiking a steep staircase. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at Shelter No. 2.
— Nolte State Park: This family-friendly hike around Deep Lake will wander through the forested Green River Gorge. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the park’s main bulletin board.
— Saltwater State Park: Explore the legacy and influence of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which built much of the park during the Great Depression. Take a nature walk, beginning at 10 a.m. and/or a beach walk at noon. Tour the CCC Cabin during an open house from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the CCC cabin.
Mason County
— Potlatch State Park: A park ranger will lead hikers through an old-growth fir forest down to a shellfish beach on the shores of Hood Canal. Meet at 10 a.m. at the day-use area near the beach.
— Twanoh State Park: This hike combines history and nature on a 2.25-mile hike through a forested creek and by Civilian Conservation Corps structures built in the 1930s. Meet at 10 a.m. at the campground.
Pacific County
— Cape Disappointment State Park: Explore the wild coastline overlooking the Columbia River with a park interpretive specialist. Learn how waves, currents and tides interact in this dynamic environment. Meet at 11 a.m. at the Benson Beach Amphitheater parking lot.
San Juan County
— Lime Kiln Point State Park: Hike along the 2.5-mile Lime Kiln Trail overlooking Haro Strait and Vancouver Island. Finish off the day with a tour to the top of Lime Kiln Point Lighthouse. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Interpretive Center.
Skagit County
— Rockport State Park: Several hikes will take place at different times during the day. The first three hikes will follow the Sauk Springs Loop Trail, beginning at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. The final hike of the day is a 3-mile hike on the Evergreen Loop Trail and begins at 1 p.m.
Snohomish County
— Wallace Falls State Park: Join a park ranger for a 2-mile hike up Woody Trail to Middle Falls, the most impressive of all nine falls in the park. Continue past Middle Falls or return to the trailhead. Meet at 10 a.m. at Woody Trail.
Thurston County
— Millersylvania State Park: This hike will actually be a 5K run, led by a local ranger, around the perimeter of Deep Lake. Meet at 9 a.m. at Kitchen Shelter No. 1.
