New Year's hiking in Southern Indiana: DNR to host First Day Hikes in state parks
With the beginning of a new year just days away, many area residents will be making their annual New Year's resolutions.
One of the most popular resolutions is to get more active and lose weight.
The Indiana State Parks, a division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will conduct First Day Hikes on Saturday at several properties in partnership with America's State Parks.
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"First Day Hikes are a healthy way to start 2022 and a chance to get outside, exercise, enjoy nature and connect with friends," the DNR stated in a news release.
Several properties throughout the region will be hosting First Day Hikes for local residents to participate.
Spring Mill State Park
Spring Mill State Park, 3333 E. State Road 60, Mitchell, will conduct two First Day Hikes on Saturday.
The first hike will start at 9 a.m. and guests are asked to meet at the Spring Mill Inn.
This hike will be a 90-minute "moderate to difficult" hike along the park's Trail 3.
An easier hike will start at 10 a.m. and participants are asked to meet at the Gus Grissom Memorial parking lot for a 30-minute hike along Trail 6, which is paved.
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There will be hot chocolate and cookies served in the inn's Lake Room after the two hikes.
Patoka Lake
Patoka Lake, 3086 N. Dillard Rd., Birdseye, will conduct its First Day Hike at noon starting at the property's nature center.
"(G)rab a challenge sheet about Patoka history that participants can fill in during the hike," the DNR noted in its release.
The winner of the challenge will get a 2022 Annual Entrance Pass for all state parks.
Refreshments such as cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
Jackson-Washington State Forest
Jackson-Washington State Forest, 1278 E. State Road 250, Brownstown, will conduct a hike starting at noon along Trail 1.
Those wishing to participate are asked to meet at the parking lot near the CCC playground close to the Pinnacle Shelter.
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Hikers will walk along the two-mile trail to Pinnacle Peak.
Martin State Forest
Martin State Forest, 14040 Williams Rd., Shoals, will host its half-mile guided hike starting at 10 a.m. at the Hardwood Lake parking area.
Monroe Lake
Monroe Lake will host the ninth annual First Day Trail Run/Walk at Fairfax State Recreation Area, 8955 S. Fairfax Rd., Bloomington.
Registration for the event will take place from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at the Bay View Shelter, with the untimed event starting at 3:30 p.m.
The cost to participate is $15 and a grab-n-go meal will be provided.
Deadline to register is Thursday, Dec. 30.
Morgan-Monroe State Forest
Morgan-Monroe State Forest will conduct its First Day Hike starting at 9 a.m. along an accessible trail.
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Hikers are asked to meet at the forest office, 6220 Forest Rd., Martinsville, before the start of the walk.
Brown County State Park
Brown County State Park, 1405 W State Road 46, Nashville, will host its First Day Hike from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The hike will be self-guided and there will be several interpretive stops along the path.
One of the stops will include hot chocolate.
Hikers are asked to start at the park's nature center for the two-mile walk, which is expected to take about 90 minutes to complete.
Yellowwood State Forest
Yellowwood State Forest, 772 S. Yellowwood Rd., Nashville, will hold a one-mile hike along the Resource Management Trail at 9 a.m.
Hikers are asked to meet at the forest office.
Fort Harrison State Park
Fort Harrison State Park, located at 6000 N. Post Rd., Indianapolis, will conduct a two-mile hike starting at 1 p.m. at the Delaware Lake Shelter.
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The walk is expected to take about one hour to complete and hot chocolate will be provided as supplies last.
McCormick's Creek State Park
Those wishing to participate in the hike at McCormick's Creek State Park, 250 McCormick's Creek Park Rd., Spencer, can meet the Canyon Inn at 1 p.m. to register for the Winter Magic Photo Contest Hikes.
The hikes will start at 2 p.m. and participants can pick from three different hikes and photos can be entered into the contest.
Refreshments will be provided.
Lieber State Recreation Area
Lieber State Recreation Area, located at 1317 W. Lieber Rd., Cloverdale, will conduct its hike starting at 4:30 p.m. at the Hilltop Shelter.
The walk will be a moderate one and a half-mile hike and snacks, hot chocolate and a campfire will be offered.
Owen-Putnam State Forest
A guided First Day Hike hosted by Owen-Putnam State Forest, 2153 Fishcreek Rd., Spencer, will begin at 9 a.m..
Guests are asked to meet at the forest office and will walk along the Poplar Top Trail.
Cataract Falls State Recreation Area
Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, 2605 N. Cataract Rd., Spencer, will offer a self-guided hike.
No specific time is listed and a brochure for the hike is available at the property's gatehouse.
Contact Times-Mail editor Lance Gideon at lgideon@tmnews.com or 812-277-7258. Follow him on Twitter: @LanceOGideon.
This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Southern Indiana hiking: DNR to host First Day Hikes
