Vermont State Parks is excited to be hosting nine guided hikes on New Year’s Day. Start off your New Year’s resolutions on the right foot by getting outdoors and being active on the first day of 2012! We hope you’ll join our experienced guides for a free family hike in one of our state parks.

Remember to dress for the weather, bring snowshoes (if there’s snow), and bring your own beverages/snacks. Dogs are welcome on a leash, and most importantly, have fun!

No registration is required. For status of a hike or other updates, please call 802-241-3663 on 12/31 and 1/1. See details for each hike below.

Little River State Park (morning & afternoon hikes)
Morning Hike Leader: Sherry Winnie, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (www.vtstateparks.com/)
Meet: 10:00 am at Little River State Park’s Contact Station
Hike Details: 1 hr +/-, easy to moderate terrain on park roads and trails
Afternoon Hike Leader: Dave Hardy, Green Mountain Club (http://www.greenmountainclub.org/)
Meet: 12:00 pm at Little River State Park’s Contact Station
Hike Details: 1 – 2 hrs, easy to moderate terrain on park roads and trails

Kingsland Bay State Park
Hike Leader: Bruce Acciavatti, Wonder Walks (http://www.wonderwalks.com/)
Meet: 1:00 pm Entrance gate at Kingsland Bay State Park
Hike: 2+hours on easy to moderate park trails through designated natural area (please, no dogs on this one)

Kettle Pond State Park
Hike Leader: Greg Western, Cross Vermont Trail Association (www.crossvermont.org)
Meet: 11:00 am Kettle Pond parking area in the Groton State Forest
Hike Details: 1 hr +/-, easy to moderate terrain on park trails

Groton Nature Center Loop
Hike Leader: Susan Bulmer, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (www.vtstateparks.com)
Meet: 10:00 am at Groton Nature Center in the Groton State Forest
Hike Details: 1 mi loop trail (or longer depending on the wishes of the group!), easy to moderate terrain

Underhill State Park
Hike Leader: John Connell, Greenmont Farm (http://www.greenmontfarms.com/)
Meet: 1:00 pm at the Underhill State Park entrance gate
Hike Details: 1+ hrs, easy to moderate terrain on park roads and trails, bring a warm beverage and a snack to enjoy at the pass!

Woodford State Park
Hike Leader: George Prouty, Picket Hill Guide Service (www.picketthillguideservice.com)
Meet: 1:00 pm at snowmobile parking lot across from the entrance to Woodford State Park
Hike Details: 1+ hrs, easy to moderate terrain on park roads and trails

Gifford Woods State Park
Hike Leader: Scott Davison, Naturalist, Writer, and former Park Ranger
Meet: 1:00 pm at Gifford Woods State Park’s winter trail access (near the regional maintenance shop)
Hike Details: 1 hrs +, moderate terrain on park trails

Molly Stark State Park
Hike Leader: Randy Knaggs, Marlboro College and Debbie Dorset, Catamount Trail Association (www.catamounttrail.org)
Meet: 10:00 am at the entrance gate to Molly Stark State Park
Hike Details: 2 hrs +/-, moderate terrain on park roads and trails following the ridge to Hogback Mountain

Even if you aren’t up for a guided hike, all of the state parks are open for off-season use, and we courage you to use them (click here for trail map & guides)! There are no facilities or running water, but the park entry is free and we ask folks to park outside the gate.

We hope to see you out there!