Montana State Parks announce New Year's hikes

Montana State Parks will join a national initiative to draw more people to spend time outdoors in 2017 by offering free, guided hikes in parks scattered throughout the Flathead Valley on New Year’s Day.

First Day Hikes are part of America’s State Parks’ nationwide effort to encourage people to get outdoors. Last year nearly 28,000 people rang in the New Year, collectively hiking more than 66,000 miles throughout the country, according to the American Hiking Society.

Flathead Lake State Park at Wayfarers is joining the celebration with a guided hike on Sunday, Jan. 1, from 10 to 11 a.m.

Hikers will meet at the Flathead Lake Ranger Station for a moderate 1- to 2-mile guided hike.

Kids should be prepared for hiking uphill. Participants will have the chance to catch their breath and enjoy scenic vistas with a few short stops along the way.

Rangers recommend hikers bring a water bottle, sturdy hiking boots, and weather-appropriate clothes. Hikers may also want to bring ice cleats depending on trail conditions. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

Flathead Lake State Park consists of six park units located around Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The park units on the east side are Wayfarers, Yellow Bay and Finley Point. The west side units include West Shore, Big Arm and Wild Horse Island.

The hike’s meeting point will be at Flathead Lake State Park, Wayfarers Unit, located at 8600 Montana 35, Bigfork.

For more information, call the Flathead Lake Ranger Station at 406-837-3041 or visit http://stateparks.mt.gov/wayfarers/.

LONE PINE State Park will also join the celebration on the first day of 2017 with a twilight hike.

Lone Pine State Park is located five miles southwest of Kalispell. More than 7 miles of trails weave through the park, which includes an interpretive center that provides information on living in a wildlife urban interface.

Hikers will meet at the warming fire near the Lone Pine Picnic Shelter at 5 p.m., located at 300 Lone Pine Road in Kalispell.

Visitors can expect a one-hour, moderately difficult hike. Kids are welcome on the family-friendly trek, but need to be prepared for hiking uphill in the snow at night. Rangers recommend hikers come with ice walkers or cleats.

If there is enough snow, hikers should bring snowshoes. Snowshoes are available in both children’s and adult sizes on a first-come, first-served basis. But hikers must make reservations for the shoes in advance. Dogs on leash are welcome.

For more information about the New Year’s Day twilight hike, visit http://stateparks.mt.gov/lone-pine/.

Visit the Montana State Parks website at stateparks.mt.gov to learn more about camping, hiking, fishing, swimming, boating in the Flathead.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.