TAKE A FIRST DAY HIKE It’s become a tradition – spending the first day of the year exercising and connecting with nature. This Wednesday, there will be more than 40 First Day Hikes at state park and recreation areas. The hikes, led by rangers or volunteers, range from short walks to four mile treks. Many offer interpretive programs along the way. For more information go to www.ncparks.gov. and click on “Educa- tion” sites offering. Here are a few of the area facilities included in First Day Hikes:

Ma Da yo Ri Eden FIRST DAY HIKEn PARKS IN THE TRIAD ve Y Mayo River r Stoneville State Park Y Hanging Rock 14 SURR State Park Danbury Mayodan ver 87 SURR n Ri Madison Da Pilot Mountain Wentworth 29 66 Ri State Park 89 ve ROCKINGHAM r 311 Lake Reidsville STOKES 8 220 Hunt BUS 29 52 Walnut Lake Cove Belews King Lake 158 Reidsville ver w Ri Ha Stokesdale State Park FORSYTH 150 WINTER HIKING ESSENTIALS Summer eld 29 158 Lake Lake Townsend n Oak Ridge Lake Brandt Food – especially Higgins Lake Jeanette GUILFORD salty foods. Eat Kernersville 68 WINSTON-SALEM PTI Lewisville GREENSBORO twice as much as BUS 40 421 40 840 70 normal. n First aid kit – to discuss area history and natural features HAW RIVER STATE PARK bandaids, ace and plans for the park. Explores the Loop trail and the wrap, antiseptic, Start time: 11 a.m. headwaters of the Haw River. The trip ends at moleskin, etc. Starting location: Mayo Mountain Trailhead the main lodge with hot cocoa. at the other end of the parking lot from the n Map – while many trails are well- Start time: 1 p.m. big picnic shelter. marked, maps are helpful tools. Starting location: Main lodge n Water – plain and some with electrolyte replacement. PILOT MOUNTAIN STATE PARK A ranger conducts this hike to the rock. The n Appropriate footwear - waterproof Hike along the Jomeokee Trail. During the walk of about 3 miles is moderate in difficulty boots, gaiters to keep snow and walk, hikers will learn about park history and and takes about an hour. Hikers can stay as mud out of your boots. the local flora and fauna. long as they want on the rock and walk back n Whistle and/or signal mirror – for Start time: 1 p.m. to the Visitor Center at their leisure. emergency use; know how to use Starting location: Summit Area display board Start time: 10 a.m. your equipment. located on the upper side of the Summit Area Starting location: Visitor Center n Waterproof/warm clothing – parking lot. parka, hat, gloves for the snow

MAYO RIVER STATE PARK and rain, plus an extra set of dry clothing – in case you get wet. Hike the 1.8 mile Mayo Mountain Trail. It’s a relatively easy trail, with stops along the way Source: www.nc.gov; www.nps.gov