First Day Hikers Log 8,000 Miles on New Year’s Day

Participation Triples Thanks to Warm Weather

First Day Hikers at Gunpowder Falls State Park

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources welcomed approximately 3,700 hikers on 36 hikes at 32 state parks this New Year’s Day as part of the annual First Day Hikes initiative. Hikers trekked about 8,500 miles on trails in every corner of Maryland.

Maryland Park Service rangers, staff and volunteers guided hikers of all experience levels joining the ever-growing ranks of hikers ringing in the new year on the trail. Among them was Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford, who hiked with Natural Resources Deputy Secretary Joanne Throwe at Patapsco Valley State Park.

“It was wonderful to start off the year hiking with fellow Marylanders at one of our treasured state parks,” Lt. Governor Rutherford said. “From the sandy shorelines of the Eastern Shore to high perches of Mountain Maryland, I encourage everyone to get outdoors in 2019 and experience all that our great state has to offer.”

With warm, mild weather for most of the day, participation nearly tripled over 2018, and miles hiked more than doubled the record set in 2017.