Maryland First Day Hikes
January 1, 2012

Cunningham Falls State Park First Day Hike
Explore Cunningham Falls

Time of Event: 1 p.m.
Meeting Location: Meet at the Trailhead lot in the William Houck Area of Cunningham Falls State Park.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages. The hike will cover some rocky and steep terrain.
Minimum age for kids: Age 5
Length of Trail: 1.2 miles round trip
Things to bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Cunningham Falls State Park at 301-271-7574
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome. Set an intention for good health or to reconnect with the natural world as we journey to the Cunningham Falls, the longest cascading waterfall in Maryland.

Deep Creek Lake State Park First Day Hike
First Day on the Lake

Time of Event: 2 p.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour.
Meeting Location: Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages
Length of Trail: The length of this hike will depend upon the weather conditions of the day.
Things to Bring: It is recommended that participants bring snowshoes or ice cleats to wear for those types of conditions. Participants should come prepared to be outside for an extended period of time in possibly very cold and windy weather conditions and bring drinking water.
RSVP: Call Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at 301-387-7067.
Additional Information: Take a shoreline walk with a Ranger on the first day of the new year. Walkers will learn about lake surface ice, what happens in the water under the ice during winter, and other tidbits about lakes in winter.

Fort Frederick State Park First Day Hike
Wildlife Adapting to Winter

Time of Event: 11 a.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour
Meeting Location: Meet at the Beaver Pond Trail, approximately ½ mile past the Fort
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for all ages
Length of Trail: ¾ mile
Things to bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Fort Frederick State Park at 301 842-2155.

Greenbrier State Park First Day Hike
Winter Wonderland Hike

Time of Event: 1 p.m. Hike around the lake will last approximately 1.5 hours
Meeting Location: Meet at the Greenbrier Visitor Center
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for all ages
Length of Trail: 1.5 miles
Things to bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Greenbrier State Park at 301-791-4767
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome

New Germany State Park First Day Hike
Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Time of Event: 1 p.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour
Meeting Location: Meet at New Germany State Park Lake House
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for all ages
Minimum age for kids: Age 4
Length of Trail: 1 mile
Things to bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call New Germany State Park at 301-895-5453.
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome

Rocky Gap State Park First Day Hike
Nature’s New Year Resolutions

Time of Event: 1 p.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour. The hike will include parts of the Canyon Overlook Nature Trail, Touch of Nature Trail and Lakeside Loop Trail.
Meeting Location: Participants should meet at the Touch of Nature Trail parking lot at the end of Old Hancock Road, past the Lodge and Aviary.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for families of all ages
Length of Trail: 1 mile
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Rocky Gap State Park at 240-357-4404.
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome

Swallow Falls State Park First Day Hike
Realm of the Ice King

Time of Event: 1 p.m. Hike will last approximately 1 hour.
Meeting Location: Meet at the main parking lot.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages
Length of Trail: 1 mile
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Herrington Manor State Park at 301-334-9180
Additional Information: See the falls in their winter dress. Rangers will discuss what we are doing to help protect this fragile eco-system. Not many people get to see the falls this time of year, so it should be a great treat!

Youghiogheny Scenic and Wild River First Day Hike
First Day on the River

Time of Event: 10 a.m.
Meeting Location: Meet at Friendsville access point. Parking is limited.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate walk for families of all ages
Length of Trail: The length of this hike will be determined by the weather conditions that day.
Things to Bring: Participants should wear footwear for snow and ice conditions. Participants should come prepared to be outside for an extended period of time in possibly very cold and windy weather conditions and bring drinking water.
RSVP: Call the Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center at 301-387-7067
Additional Information: Take a riverside walk with a Ranger to celebrate the start of a new year. This walk is on a level path.

Cedarville State Forest First Day Hike
A Holiday Hike in the Forest

Time of Event: Noon
Meeting Location: Meet at old charcoal kiln parking lot. Hikers should enter the park and make a right onto Forest Road. The parking lot will be on the right.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for all ages
Length of Trail: 3 miles
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Cedarville State Forest at 301-888-1410
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome. This hike on the White Trail will last approximately 1.5 hours and will be lead by the Friends of Cedarville State Forest.

Greenwell State Park First Day Hike
Enchantment of the Frosty Forest

Time of Event: 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Meeting Location: After you enter the park, make your first left and park in the lot on your right by the bulletin board.
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate hike for families
Length of Trail: 1.6 miles
Minimum age for kids: Age 5
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear brightly colored clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring drinking water, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Courtney Clark at 301-872-5688.
Additional Information: Pets on a leash are welcome. Start the year off right and reconnect with nature as you journey through a hidden treasure. The White Trail at Greenwell State Park meanders through a beautiful hardwood forest and loops around overlooking the peaceful Forest Creek. You will find a variety of vegetation such as American Beech, Red Oak, Spice Bush, Mountain Laurel, and many types of native grasses. Catch a glimpse of wildlife that make their home in and around the water.
Guided hikes will take about 1 hour per trip. Self guided hikers are welcome to participate at your leisure between sunrise and 4 p.m. For self guided hikers, maps will be posted on the bulletin board and are also available online. The white trail is on the other side of Steerhorn Neck Road. (Participants will have to exit the park on foot and cross the street to access the white trail).

Pocomoke River State Park First Day Hike

Time of event: 10 a.m.
Meeting Location: Meet at the Shad Landing Nature Center
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for all ages
Minimum age for kids: Age 4
Length of Trail: 2 miles
Things to bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and sturdy hiking shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking.
RSVP: Call Pocomoke River State Park at 410-632-2566

Tuckahoe State Park First Day Hike
Holiday Wake Up with Morning Sunshine

Time of Event: 11 a.m. Hike will last approximately 1.5 hours
Meeting Location: Meet at the Lake Pavilion
Degree of Difficulty: Easy hike for all ages
Length of Trail: 2 miles
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Tuckahoe State Park at 410-820-1668
Additional Information: Hike will begin along the lake’s edge with great views of wildlife (maybe even a bald eagle or two!) before heading into the woods with views of flooded woodlands and mature forests. Topics will include changing forests and wildlife habitats.

Gunpowder Falls State Park First Day Hike
Hike the Heart Smart Trail

Time of Event: 2 p.m.
Meeting Location: Meet at the trail head on the Big Gunpowder River and the parking area on the downstream side of Rt 1. (Near Perry Hall)
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages.
Length of Trail: 2 miles round trip. Hike will cover some wet or uneven terrain.
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional). Sturdy footwear is recommended.
RSVP: Reservations required. Call Gunpowder Falls State Park at 410-592-2897 to let us know you are going to join us!
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome.

Patapsco Valley State Park First Day Hike
Buzzards Rock History and Geology Hike

Time of Event: 1:30 p.m.
Meeting Location: Hilton Area Nature Center
Degree of Difficulty: Moderate hike for families.
Minimum age for kids: Age 12
Length of Trail: Approximately 2 miles
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional). Sturdy footwear is recommended.
RSVP: Reservations required. Please call Patapsco Valley State Park at 410-461-5005.
Additional Information: A Volunteer Ranger and local geologist will lead this hike, with views of the Patapsco River Valley and Bloede’s Dam. Enjoy a brisk winter hike and learn about the Valley’s history and geology.

Rocks State Park First Day Hike
Explore Kilgore Falls at the Falling Branch Area

Time of Event: 1 p.m. Hike may cover some rocky and steep terrain.
Meeting Location: Meet at the Falling Branch Parking Lot about 5 miles north of Rocks State Park off of St. Mary’s Road.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages.
Length of Trail: 1 mile round trip
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera (optional).
RSVP: Call Rocks State Park at 410-557-7994
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome. Set to reconnect with the natural world as we journey to and from Kilgore Falls, the second highest free-falling waterfall in Maryland.

Seneca Creek State Park First Day Hike
Lake Shore Trail Hike

Time of Event: 10:30 a.m.
Meeting Location: Meet at the tire playground
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages. The hike will cover some rocky and uneven terrain.
Minimum age for kids: Age 5
Length of Trail: 4 miles
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera and binoculars (optional).
RSVP: Call Seneca Creek State Park at 301-924-2127
Additional Information: Dogs on a leash are welcome. Set an intention for good health or to reconnect with the natural world as we journey around Clopper Lake.

Soldiers Delight NEA First Day Hike

Time of Event: 1 p.m.
Meeting Location: Meet at the Soldiers Delight Visitors Center
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike for families of all ages.
Minimum age for kids: Age 6
Length of Trail: 2.5 miles
Things to Bring: Participants are asked to wear clothes and shoes appropriate for the weather (rain, snow or shine), and bring water for drinking, and a camera and binoculars (optional).
RSVP: Call Soldiers Delight NEA at 410-461-5005
Additional Information: Learn about the endangered ecosystem of the serpentine barrens, the plants and animals that live at Soldiers Delight.