Start off the new year with a First Day Hike at Washington state park

OLYMPIA – Dec. 12, 2018 – Washington State Parks invites the public to start the new year off with a First Day Hike on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at nearly 40 state parks across Washington. Some parks will offer more than one hike. “First Day Hikes are a terrific way to ring in the New Year and enjoy the substantial beauty of Washington state parks in the winter,” said Don Hoch, Washington State Parks director. “The First Day Hikes will have something for every fitness level and interest, including guided hikes with rangers, snowshoe treks, fat bike rides and even a Puget Sound paddle.”

First Day Hikes will take place in a diverse and dramatic range of landscapes and historic features, including coastal and Puget Sound beaches, islands, waterfalls, lowland forests, lighthouses, geological points of interest and more.

Jan. 1 also is the first of 12 Washington State Parks free days taking place in 2019. Park visitors will not need to display the Discover Pass on vehicles to access state parks for the New Year’s Day activities or for other state park visits on free days. However, during the winter, some state parks require a Sno-Park permit. For more information about how to obtain a Sno-Park permit, visit: https://parks.state.wa.us/130/Winter-recreation.

Most participating parks will offer refreshments following the outings, thanks to funding from the Seattle RV and Puyallup RV shows.

First Day Hikes at Washington state parks are scheduled as follows and listed by local counties. Participants should plan for winter weather and dress appropriately, including wearing sturdy footwear. Snacks and water also are recommended. Parks requiring a Sno-Park permit are noted below.

CHELAN COUNTY

Lake Chelan State Park: Hike 2.5 miles along the Little Bear Loop Trail through a ponderosa pine forest. Learn from rangers about the park’s unique position at the convergence of four ecological zones. Meet at 10 a.m.

Lake Wenatchee State Park: Enjoy a guided 2.5-mile snowshoe hike along Lake Wenatchee’s North Lake Loop. Check with park staff for weather forecasts and to book larger groups. Meet at 11 a.m. Sno-park permit required.

DOUGLAS COUNTY

Bridgeport State Park: Explore this section of the Columbia River on a 45-minute walk with a park ranger. See evidence of the natural forces that shaped the area and learn what a haystack is before enjoying hot coffee, cocoa and snacks by the campfire. Meet at 1 p.m.

Lincoln Rock State Park: Join a guided, 2-mile history hike that covers the area’s geology, the Rocky Reach Dam and the Rocky Reach Trail. Bring a camera for great shots of the dam and spillways! Meet at 11 a.m.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Sacajawea Historical State Park: Take a staff-led interpretive hike and learn about the park’s flora and fauna, the Lewis & Clark expedition and the area’s Native people. Post- hike refreshments and prizes will be available. Meet at 10 a.m.

GRANT COUNTY

Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park: Begin with a 40-minute tour of the Dry Falls Visitor Center with an overview of the Ice Age Flood National Geologic Trail, followed by refreshments. Then, take a 2.5-mile hike that loops through a winter wonderland of desert sagebrush and rolling shrub-steppe. Meet at 10:30 a.m.

OKANOGAN COUNTY

Alta Lake State Park: Explore Alta Lake and Goat Mountain on a 2-mile hike. Discuss the geology of this glacially carved valley and the recent fire seasons with a ranger. Stay for hot coffee and cocoa and snacks. Meet at 1 p.m.

Pearrygin Lake State Park: Try your hand at fat biking by bringing your own or renting a bike in Winthrop and heading to Pearrygin Lake! Ride through shrub-steppe on the Rex

Derr Trail with views overlooking the lake. Those not into biking can do the trail on foot as well. Meet at 10 a.m. Sno-Park permit required.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Riverside State Park: Hike 4 miles amidst towering ponderosa pines and basalt rock formations in the Bowl and Pitcher area. Snacks and hot beverages will be provided at the trailhead. Meet at 9:30 a.m.

Mount Spokane State Park: Take a 3.5-mile snowshoe to the historic stone Vista House at 5,883 feet for views of the Cabinet Mountains in Montana, Selkirk Crest in North Idaho and nearby lakes (weather permitting). Snacks and hot beverages will be provided at the trailhead and can be purchased at Vista House. Meet at 9:30 a.m. Sno-Park permit required.

Mount Spokane State Park: Snowshoe west along the Lower Kit Carson Loop Road to Smith Gap and the snowshoe hut, through a cedar and hemlock forest, on this 2-mile loop. Snacks and hot beverages will be provided at the trailhead. Meet at 9:30 a.m. Sno-Park permit required.

More details about First Day Hikes will be available by early next week on Washington State Parks’ official blog, Adventure Awaits, later this week. First Day Hikes are also posted on State Parks’ online calendar at: parks.state.wa.us/calendar.aspx,

About First Day Hikes

Washington was among the first states in the nation to participate in First Day Hikes, a nationwide initiative organized by the National Association of State Parks Directors. More information about the program and hikes offered all over the country is available at: http://www.naspd.org/initiatives-special-programs/first-day-hikes/.