First Day Hike a unqiue way to greet the new year
Georgia state parks are participating in nationwide nature event Sunday
By Jim Hendricks
ALBANY — When New Year’s Day rolls around Sunday and folks are looking for something to do — and perhaps to jumpstart a resolution to live healthier — the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has a suggestion: Take a hike.
Georgia State Parks and some of the state’s historical sites will be participating in a national effort on New Year’s Day called First Day Hikes. The parks will offer DNR ranger-led hikes as part of the initiative.
“The idea is to start the new year healthy and to encourage people to use local parks,” Kim Hatcher, public affairs coordinator for the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division of DNR, said. “We’re hoping people, some of whom may not have been to a state park, will take the opportunity to enjoy nature and to get in some good exercise.”
One of the superstitions of New Year’s Day is that an individual’s actions on the first day of the year will influence what he or she does all year through. A nature hike, Hatcher agreed, would be a good habit to develop.
“That’s certainly something good to hope for,” she said, “especially for people who don’t go hiking often.”
She said every state park will have a guided program under way. The annual park pass or daily $5 fee applies — “You can load the whole family in the minivan and get in for the one price,” Hatcher noted. — and state historic sites, which may have their programs on a day other than Sunday, may have different admission fees.
While parks, especially those in north Georgia, are popular in the fall leaf-changing season and in the spring and summer, winter offers some unique advantages.
“I think people are surprised at how pretty it can be hiking in the winter,” Hatcher said.
Winter park visits, she noted, offer sights such as streams and rock formations that can be hidden when trees are full of leaves.
“It gives you a chance to see the parks in a different way,” she said. “It’s also a good opportunity to see wildlife and birds.”
Several state parks are within driving distance of Albany. Here are their locations and their First Day Hike schedules:
— Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park: Pine Mountain, (706) 663-4858. At 1 p.m., meet at the Dowdell’s Knob Trailhead to join members of the Pine Mountain Trail Association for a 4.3-mile, moderate-rated Dowdell’s Knob Loop hike. This hike is geared toward ages 8 and older. Bring water and a snack and dress for the weather.
— Florence Marina State Park: Omaha, (229) 838-4706. At 11:30 a.m., meet at the Kirbo Center. Hike is suitable for all ages and hiking experiences, rated a short, easy hike. Join a Ranger on the one-mile trail and take a walk through the woods to a cove where alligators, great blue herons, turtles and other wildlife can be found.
— General Coffee State Park: Nicholls, (912) 384-7082. At 10 a.m., meet at the campground shelter. Participants begin at the campground shelter in Campground Loop No. 2 and hike the Gopher Trail Loop back to starting point. Coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts will be offered afterwards with a Ranger Q&A for participants. The hike passes through the sandhill management area, where hikers can see the different stages of longleaf pine restoration efforts. This trail also is a good area for birding and wildlife viewing.
— George T. Bagby State Park: Fort Gaines, (229) 768-2571. At 10 a.m., meet at the park hotel. The hike goes to Wilderness Pavilion and returns on the Phenom Trail. Highlights for hikers include the view of Lake Walter F. George and passing the nesting areas of the park’s osprey and bald eagles.
— Georgia Veterans State Park: Cordele, (855) 330-4300. At 10 a.m., meet at the park office. The park activities coordinator will lead the walk and will give information on the park and wildlife.
— Kolomoki Mounds State Park: Blakely, (229) 724-2150. This may be perfect for late risers. At 2 p.m., meet at the group shelter No. 2 parking lot. Participants will take the White Oak Trail, a short 1.25-mile hike. Bring water and wear closed-toed shoes.
— Providence Canyon State Park: Lumpkin, (229) 838-4244. The hike starts at 9 a.m., but the making of hiking sticks will begin at 8:30 a.m. After meeting at the park’s visitor center, a Ranger will lead the hike and talk about the history of the land, the geology of the canyon, and some of the plants and animals that live there. Hikers will explore the canyon from the rim and the floor, so wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy.
— Reed Bingham State Park: Adel, (229) 896-3551. Hikers meet at the trailhead at 9 a.m. Also, 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday there’s a special program at the park on the importance of the vultures that nest annually at the park.
— Seminole State Park: Donalsonville, (229) 861-3137. At 9 a.m., hikers will take in the sights and sounds of nature on the park’s Gopher Tortoise Trail.
For contact information and to find a full list of the First Day Hike parks and sites, visit gastateparks.org/FirstDayHikes.
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