For Immediate Release: 1/6/2015

More Than 1,200 Hikers Participated in California State Parks 2015 First Day Hikes

 

Contact:

Vicky Waters

Vicky.Waters@parks.ca.gov

(916) 653-5115

 

Sacramento, CA.—The diversity of California State Parks was enjoyed by more than 1,200 hikers who stepped out New Year’s Day to take part in the Annual First Day Hike events held at several state parks across California. This is the fourth year California has participated in the national initiative, with hikes in the redwoods, deserts, mountains and along the ocean.

A total of 40 California state parks offered 50 hikes, including snow shoeing on Mount San Jacinto above Palm Springs, paddling on the Salton Sea and Humboldt Lagoons in the redwoods, and walks through desert environments at several locations. Participants hiked more than 4,550 miles. Events were guided by State Parks staff and volunteers.

In what is quickly becoming a yearly tradition, the First Day Hikes are signature events designed to offer visitors the opportunity to connect to their parks and nature for recreation and to promote a healthy lifestyle throughout the year. Two honeymooners joined the hike at Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve in Sonoma County, and hikers were inspired to share poetry on the Monterey Peninsula at Asilomar State Beach. Many hikers enjoyed the two-mile hike along Morro Strand State beach barefoot, while there were dozens of sightings of migrating Gray whales at coastal locations.

Hikers at Mount Tamalpais State Park renewed a New Year’s Day tradition for the 29th year in a row, with a hike and climb to the top of the east peak, and received a commemorative pin provided by Friends of Mount Tam for their efforts.

This year, all 50 states participated in the First Day Hikes initiative. While final numbers are still being counted, more than 24,000 hikers covered 54,500 miles at more than 900 sites were reported nationwide. For more information, visit www.americasstateparks.org.

 




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California State Parks provides for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high quality outdoor recreation.