Hiking Together in Early 2017

My First Day Hike on Mt. Monadnock

January 5, 2017
Tags:
Recreation,
Mount Monadnock

A family of hikers ventures onto the Parker Trail at Monadnock State Park.

The first day of the New Year!

Hikers follow the route as a group.

Did you give yourself a resolution to work towards over the next 12 months?  Like many others, my resolution is to be more active. I was able to get a jump on my resolution only hours into the New Year. And no, I didn’t pack into a gym to burn those extra cals. I hiked! And so did many others on their #FirstDayHike.

 

Early in 2017, many hikers suited up to hike on Mount Monadnock. However we were not headed for the summit, but to another vista at lower elevations. Monadnock State Park staff built a warming fire and had hot cocoa ready at the trailhead. Together we welcomed hikers and sent them down the trail. Some wore snowshoes, others had micro spikes. Some had one-piece snow suits, and others had layers of jackets. But all were excited to get moving!

Fresh snow clings to trees along the trail. Photo by Hiel Lindquist.

This year, the weather was great for winter hiking; sunny and not too cold but not melting snow either. A fresh layer of snow even coated the ground in Jaffrey the night before. Every tree branch glittered under the clear blue sky. On occasion the wind blew through the woods enough to make you shove your mittened hands into your pockets. Snow from the weighed-down tree limbs flurried to the ground like mini blizzards along the trail. 

 

A couple of hikers I spoke with said that they have come every year regardless of the weather. While another hiker joked that he never wanted to hike in the winter until trying a First Day Hike. The self-guided hike was designed to last two to three hours depending on pace. Quick enough to get back before the early sunset. 

 

Hikers celebrate at the vista before leaving the expansive view. Photo by Jackie Stetser.

Marshmallows toasted over the warming fire.
 Upon return, hikers grabbed a second cup of cocoa or toasted a marshmallow while chatting over the fire.  Two friends who met up at the hike agreed they liked the feeling of accomplishing something so early in the year. Over 40 hikers enjoyed the short hike at Monadnock State Park on January 1st 2017.

 

A young couple hikes hand-in-hand.

If a First Day Hike appeals to you, you will have to wait until 2018 for the next one. But late this winter the Forest Society will offer a hike series (details to come) to keep you active in New Hampshire! Check out our events for opportunities to get out in the woods and learn something new.

 

Happy New Year!

Hikers take time to enjoy the view. Photo by Hiel Lindquist.

Read about last year's First Day Hikes here.