The holidays often mean lots of food and family, time inside around the fire, eating homemade goodies and enjoying the festivities. But after a while, you might start to feel a need to get outside for a bit of fresh air. And you might feel a need to work off a little of Aunt Hilda's fruitcake and all of those Christmas cookies you have been scarfing down, too.
And since January 1st is traditionally a time to make new resolutions and start getting healthy for the new year, the state parks across the nation have come up with a way for you to put all those good intentions into action. Parks across the United States have a program called "First Day Hikes" that encourages folks to get out and get active on the first day of the new year.
In our area, Crowders Mountain State Park (CMSP) and South Mountains State Park (SMSP) are both participating in the promotion and are offering guided hikes to kick off the new year.
"I think we are the only ones in the Carolinas that offer people the chance to hike in both states on the same hike," says Ranger Kelly Cooke of CMSP. The CMSP coordinates with the Kings Mountain State Park (KMSP) in South Carolina to host a hike that crosses the state line.
"Our route is 5.5 miles one-way, but it's a pretty level walk. At the end of the hike we end up near the lake at KMSP, so that's really nice," says Cooke. Although in the past shuttles have been set up to transport hikers back to the trip's starting point, this year trail walkers will need to arrange their own return transportation. "We just found that most people wanted to do their own thing, so that's what we have planned for in this year's hike."
At SMSP, the hike will be a little more strenuous, since it includes hiking up to the 80-foot High Shoals waterfall. The 2.75- mile hike will last approximately 1.5 hours and will loop back to the original starting point at the Jacob Fork Parking Area.
"We really hope folks will come out get some fresh air and enjoy our park," says Ranger Amanda Lasley. "This will be a great opportunity to really get your new year off to a great start."
For more information about the Crowders Mountain hike, visit www.ncparks.gov/crowders-mountain-state-park or call 704-853-5375. For more information about the South Mountains hike, visit www.ncparks.gov/south-mountains-state-park or call 828-433-4772.

By April Hoyle Shauf

Special to Community First Media