Hike Safe, starting with a First Day Hike

December 26, 2024 / Ellen Kolb

Two New Hampshire traditions dovetail nicely this time of year. New Hampshire’s Division of Parks and Recreation is once again sponsoring First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day 2025 at several state parks, and Hike Safe cards for 2025 are now available for purchase on the New Hampshire Fish and Game website. I recommend both.

First Day Hikes

2025’s First Day Hikes are being offered at seven state parks. These are self-guided events, although park staff will be participating in some locations. Events range from cross-country skiing at Milan Hill State Park to a shoreline walk at Odiorne Point in Rye. Advance registration is required. You’ll find more information at the State Parks website. At this writing, two out of the seven events are already full, with no more registrations available, so act fast if you’d like to spend a few hours on New Year’s Day at Odiorne Point, Milan Hill, Mount Monadnock, Pisgah State Park, or White Lake State Park.

At a First Day Hike a few years back, I scored a fleece scarf that I’ve sported nearly every New Year’s Day since. I like starting the year with a flourish.

Hike Safe Card

New Hampshire Fish and Game sells the Hike Safe card, which is actually an online registration, rather than a card to be carried. Every purchase – $25 for an individual or $35 for a family – supports search and rescue efforts that could be required for anyone participating in an outdoor sport or activity in New Hampshire. In most circumstances, people who obtain the cards are not liable to repay rescue costs if they need to be rescued, although that won’t apply in cases of reckless behavior. Read more about the Hike Safe card at the Fish and Game website.

If you purchase one on the F&G website for 2025 before January 1, be sure you click the button for the correct year. You don’t want to pay for 2024 by accident. No refunds.

When it comes to outdoor recreation in New Hampshire, many recreationists pay their way, so to speak, via licenses or vehicle registrations. Hunters, anglers, boaters, snowmobilers, and OHRV operators contribute to trail maintenance and rescue costs that way. Hikers like me don’t need a license, but we can do our bit by getting that Hike Safe card every year.

A New Year’s Day visit to Mt. Monadnock

January 1, 2014April 3, 2024 / Ellen Kolb

I usually travel to Temple every New Year’s Day for the Peanut Butter Chip Chase 5k. The drive from my home to the Wapack Range is beautiful, and I enjoy walking (not running) on Temple’s quiet roads. Today, though, I decided to bring in 2014 by heading to Mt. Monadnock for a First Day Hike sponsored by the good folks at Monadnock State Park. I chose a guided nature hike along the low and flat Parker Trail; the other option was an uphill hike to a spot with a good view. Each hike drew about twenty people, accompanied by guides from the park and from the Forest Society.

Yours truly celebrating New Year's Day on Mt. Monadnock — Yours truly celebrating New Year’s Day on Mt. Monadnock

I wore strap-on traction aids for my boots, and left my snowshoes in the car when I saw how icy the trails were. The temperature was about 15º, and I can tell you now what happens when you carry granola bars in your backpack on a 15º day: the bars freeze solid. (Three words for next time: inside coat pocket.) Lots of sunshine, though.

We were led by Meredith and Brenda of the park staff, along with a specialist in land conservation from the Forest Society. I didn’t take notes but soaked in what I could as they talked about forest management, wildlife habitat, and the history of the mountain. We walked at a very leisurely pace along the quiet Parker Trail. Half the fun was watching the kids in our group. A few of them appeared to be veterans of the trails. Others were wide-eyed and full of questions, walking a little unsteadily as they adjusted to having microspikes on their boots.

We were hardly the only visitors to the park, which surprised me. When I arrived at the headquarters entrance, the main parking lot was full and I had to proceed to the overflow lot. When I met Sue, the new park director, I asked her about that. “Oh, yes. We’re open year-round. Even on days like this, we get between 200 and 400 visitors.”

This is the third year that First Day Hikes have been held at New Hampshire state parks. I think I’ll be back next year.

A path to take another day: Lost Farm trail.

Some Days, a Road is as Good as a Trail

January 5, 2013May 23, 2014 / Ellen Kolb

I head to Temple, New Hampshire, nearly every New Year’s Day for a 3-mile walk. Most of the two hundred or so people around me see it as a 5-k race for runners, but a few of us take a slower pace. The race fee goes to charity, the atmosphere is festive, Temple’s a pretty town, and all comers are welcome. Last week, that added up to 45 minutes of New Year good cheer for me.

The route is a simple loop starting near the town green on Route 45: West Road, Fish Road, Mill Road, Hadley Highway, and back to the distinctive town hall building. Traffic is nearly nonexistent on New Year’s Day, but even on a business day, this would be a safe & relatively peaceful route.

Why would I go for pavement when there are trails with fresh snow nearby? This event is an annual tradition for me; the roads with their bucolic views are plowed and clear; there is virtually no auto traffic on a holiday; the very sight of the Sharon Ledges on Temple Mountain’s ridge makes me smile as I think of the berries I’ll be able to pick when I head up that way in the summer. All that, plus the post-race hot soup provided by the race committee, makes this trip worthwhile.