First Day Hike at Aiken State Park starts 2022 on the right foot
Jan. 1—WINDSOR — Some people spent New Year's Day on the couch, prostrate, with pain relief, sunglasses and water nearby. Others slapped on boots, lashed on packs and headed to Aiken State Park.
There, eager hikers of all ages participated in what's known as a First Day Hike — a tradition meant to begin the new year on the right foot. Or the left.
"After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, a First Day Hike is a chance to unplug, de-stress, recharge, and maybe even learn something new while enjoying the natural beauty of the Palmetto State," Paul McCormack, state parks director, said in a recent statement.
The trek at Aiken State Park followed the serpentine, and sometimes soggy, Jungle Trail. The path winds through the woods and wetlands; at pinched points, a single-file line is needed to pass through.
Some 50 people showed up Saturday, walking sticks in hand and dogs in tow. Some hikers had spent the day doing the First Day Dash: an initiative that encourages the exploration of several parks back to back.
"South Carolina State Parks offer an adventure for everyone," McCormack said.
Aiken State Park is set along the South Edisto River and spans more than 1,000 acres. The park features 25 campsites and is billed as a haven for fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
A separate First Day Hike was scheduled for Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site in Beech Island.
In 2020, 85,000 people rang in the new year with a First Day Hike, collectively rambling more than 176,366 miles across the U.S., according to the National Association of State Park Directors.
