Each Jan. 1, people across the United States participate in a joint activity in the nation’s parks – the First Day Hike.
“These hikes provide a means for individuals and families to welcome the coming year in the outdoors, exercising and connecting with nature. For many it has become a tradition,” according to the America’s State Parks’ website www.stateparks.org.
While 2021 was marked by COVID and a socially-distanced hike, Americans put up big numbers on the First Day Hike in 2020.
“In 2020 85,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking over 176,366 miles throughout the country on the guided hikes. Numerous others hiked state park trails throughout the day,” the website said.
That equates to two miles per person with a combined distance of seven trips around the Equator, the calories of 41,348 fast-food hamburgers burned and 415,693,531 steps taken.
People headed to state parks on Saturday for the annual trek.
At Hickory Knob State Park in McCormick, S.C., about 21 people walked the two-mile Beaver Run Trail.
About the same number of people took part in the First Day Hike at Mistletoe State Park in Appling, according to Jana Ashing, a naturalist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources at the park.
“I think we had around 20 to 25 people,” she said. “Great group and great weather. We hiked the two-mile campground loop trail.”
