If you’re wondering what to do for the first day of 2020, parks officials say: take a hike!
Come New Year's Day, all fees are waived for guided hikes taking place at 31 Oregon state parks, in observance of the eighth annual First Day Hikes event.
“Woo-hoo, we made it to 2020!" says Chris Havel, of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.
"So one of the best ways to get off on the right foot -and I mean that literally in this case - is to go for a nice long walk.
"Many people have the day off, we’re just inviting you to come out, pull on a pair of shoes, and if necessary put on a rain parka and take a walk with us.”
Havel says the First Day Hikes began in 2012 as part of a nationwide movement. People can register for any of 37 hikes online. Park rangers and volunteers will be around to discuss wildlife, history, and geology.
“At Elijah Bristow, we’re having a horse walk, helping your horse out," he adds. "We’ll host a trail ride there at noon.
"And then there are parks all up and down the valley, and on the coast and even in Central and Eastern Oregon, where you can -rain or shine, snow or not, ice nor not - just sorta get back in touch with the Oregon landscape. It’s just a beautiful way to start the year out.”
People can register for hikes online at the Oregon State Parks Store.
Copyright 2019, KLCC.
Meeting area information for participating parks (1/1/2020) is listed below. Hikers are advised to research weather conditinos and dress appropriately:
WILLAMETTE VALLEY/CASCADES
Champoeg State Heritage Area: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., meet at the visitor center.
Dexter State Recreation Site: 9 a.m., meet at the Dexter Disc Golf course.
Elijah Bristow State Park: noon, meet at the equestrian parking area for horse riding (bring your own horse.)
Silver Falls State Park: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., meet at South Falls Lodge porch.
Willamette Mission State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Wheatland Ferry.
COAST
Bullards Beach State Park: 1 p.m., meet at the meeting hall.
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint: noon, meet in the Cape Meares parking lot.
Crissey Field State Recreation Site: 11 a.m., meet at the welcome center.
Fort Stevens State Park: 10 a.m., meet in the Battery Russell parking lot.
Humbug Mountain State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Humbug Mountain trailhead.
Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park: 10 a.m., meet in the group camp parking lot.
Oswald West State Park: 8 a.m., meet at the Cape Falcon trailhead.
Seal Rock State Recreation Site: 9:30 a.m., meet in the Seal Rock parking lot.
Umpqua Lighthouse State Park: 1 p.m., meet at Lake Marie Day-use area.
William M. Tugman State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Eel Lake boat ramp.
SOUTHERN OREGON
Collier Memorial State Park: 9 a.m., meet at the Logging Museum.
Golden State Heritage Site: 1 p.m., meet in the Historic Church.
Illinois River Forks State Park: 9:30 a.m., meet in the Seal Rock parking lot.
Joseph H. Stewart State Recreation Area: 9 a.m., meet at the group camp.
TouVelle State Park: 11 a.m., meet at the day-use area.
Valley of the Rogue State Park: 1 p.m., meet at the amphitheater. 1 p.m., meet at Del Rio Vineyards (bring your own bike.) 1 p.m., meet at Rogue River Bridge in the city of Rogue River (bring your own bike.)
PORTLAND
L.L. Stub Stewart State Park: 10 a.m., meet at Clayhill horse staging area.
Milo McIver State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the Maple Ridge Trailhead in the Lower Boat Launch parking lot.
Tryon Creek State Park: 9 a.m., meet at the nature center.
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Deschutes River State Recreation Area: 9 a.m., meet at Oregon Trail kiosk.
Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail: 1 p.m., meet at the Mark O. Hatfield East trailhead in the Mossier Twin Tunnels parking lot.
EASTERN/CENTRAL OREGON
Cottonwood Canyon State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the experience center.
Emigrant Springs State Heritage Area: 11 a.m., meet at the interpretive kiosk (bring your own snowshoes).
LaPine State Park: 11 a.m., meet at the meeting hall in the south loop.
Smith Rock State Park: 10 a.m., meet at the welcome center.
Wallowa Lake State Park: 10 a.m., meet in the Group Camp A parking lot.
