Start the new year with a guided hike in a state park

Begin as you mean to go on.

If you mean to go on a lot of hikes in 2016, perhaps you’d like to begin with a hike. You can of course enjoy a trip on your own, or you can join in on a guided event Washington State Parks.

On New Year’s Day, First Day Hikes are planned at more than two dozen state parks around the state. Also that day, you won’t need a Discover Pass to park.

It’s not just hikes, either. Some parks are offering snowshoe trips, runs or fat-bike trips. Go to http://bit.ly/1Tih1j9 for a full list.

Here is information, provided by Washington State Parks, on hikes in our area.

Snohomish County

Wallace Falls State Park: Join a park ranger for a 2-mile hike up Woody Trail to Middle Falls, the most impressive of all nine falls in the park. Continue past Middle Falls or return to the trailhead. Meet at 10 a.m. at Woody Trail.

Skagit County

Rockport State Park: Three hikes will follow the Sauk Springs Loop Trail, beginning at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon. The final hike is a 3-mile hike on the Evergreen Loop Trail and begins at 1 p.m.

Island County

Cama Beach State Park: The park offers two hikes — a short family-friendly stroll with lots of stops for photos starting at noon and a brisk hike beginning at 2 p.m. with commanding views of Saratoga Passage and beyond. Meet up for both hikes at the parks’ shuttle drop-off shelter.

Camano Island State Park: The first hike, beginning at noon, is a 3-mile hike on the park’s Loop Trail with a focus on exercise. The second hike starts at 2 p.m. and is a leisurely stroll along the Al Emerson Nature Trail. Meet at the group cabins for both hikes.

Deception Pass State Park: Take a 2-mile hike to Hoypus Point on Cornet Bay, an easy hike with views of the Deception Pass Bridge, Mount Erie and several small islands. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Cornet Bay boat launch.

South Whidbey State Park: The park offers four hikes, from easy to moderate. Guides will explore art and youth in the outdoors, new interpretive signs, forest ecology and winter birds. All hikes begin at 10 a.m. and leave from in front of the Ranger House.

King County

Cedar Butte (Olallie and Iron Horse state parks): This ranger-led, 3-mile hike will take participants to the top of Cedar Butte to learn about the 1918 flood that wiped out a nearby logging town. Meet at 10 a.m. at Cedar Falls Trailhead in Iron Horse State Park.

Dash Point State Park: Take a nature walk at 10 a.m. or a beach walk at noon — or both. A park volunteer will also lead a Junior Ranger program at 11 a.m. at the park’s amphitheater, where hikers should meet.

Flaming Geyser State Park: Learn about this park’s role in regional mining history while exploring the local flora and fauna. Requires hiking a steep staircase. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at Shelter 2.

Nolte State Park: This family-friendly hike around Deep Lake will wander through the forested Green River Gorge. Meet at 10:30 a.m. at the park’s main bulletin board.

Saltwater State Park: Explore the legacy and influence of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which built much of the park during the Great Depression. Take a nature walk, beginning at 10 a.m. and/or a beach walk at noon. Tour the CCC Cabin during an open house from 10 a.m. to noon. Meet at the CCC cabin.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

A stroll on Rome's ancient Appian Way is a kind of time travel. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves on the Appian Way, Rome’s ancient superhighway

Twenty-nine highways fanned out from Rome, but this one was the first and remains the most legendary.

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

The 2024 Kia EV9 electric SUV has room for up to six or seven passengers, depending on seat configuration. (Photo provided by Kia)
Kia’s all-new EV9 electric SUV occupies rarified air

Roomy three-row electric SUVs priced below 60 grand are scarce.

2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD (Photo provided by Toyota)
2023 Toyota RAV4 Prime XSE Premium AWD

The compact SUV electric vehicle offers customers the ultimate flexibility for getting around town in zero emission EV mode or road-tripping in hybrid mode with a range of 440 miles and 42 mile per gallon fuel economy.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.