This New Year’s Day people all across the state will head outside to celebrate a tradition that began at Eno River State Park, First Day Hikes. North Carolina State Parks will host guided hikes continuing a tradition that began many years ago on the banks of the Eno River.

“Even before Eno River State Park formed people who were interested in protecting the river were leading hikes and taking anyone who wanted to learn more out on New Years Day,” said Liz Stabenow, Education Director for the Eno River Association.

Two First Day Hikes are planned, a 2-mile hike for families and less experienced hikers and a 6-mile hike for the more seasoned outdoors people, which will climb to the top of Cox Mountain. Both hikes are guided and begin at 2 o’clock.

This year also marks the 50th year of Eno River State Park.

“Since it is our 50th anniversary we are sort of having more of a celebration this year and we are serving black eyed peas to the public from 12:30-1:30,” said Stabenow

So what better way to start your new year then with a little exercise and a serving of good luck?

The Eno River staff hopes that people will keep visiting throughout the year too. “We don’t just have one or two hikes on New Years Day, we want to keep people out there all year long and this year we are instituting a 50 hikes challenge,” said Stabenow.

The park will keep a virtual log book where you can record your hikes. They hope to have as many people as possible doing about one hike a week. How’s that for a New Year’s Resolution?

With a tradition that has spread across the state, Eno River is still one of the most popular parks for First Day Hikes.

“It’s one of the best attended New Years Day hikes in the state and it has just become huge,” said Stabenow.

On one of the best attended years, an unseasonably warm New Year’s Day, over 800 people showed up. But even if there is bad weather, Stabenow said she expects at least a couple of hundred people. Over half a million people visit Eno River State Park annually.

But with lots of rain in the last couple of weeks, make sure you bring the right shoes.

“The trails this year are going to be slippery,” said Stabenow, “We have North Carolina clay soil so I recommended everyone wear some hiking boots or some waterproof shoes this year.”

Just like those who originally led hikes along the Eno many years ago, Stabenow hopes these hikes will get people thinking about conservation.

“It is my strongly held belief that if people get out there and meet the Eno and spend some time with her they will want to protect it, they will want to come back and do more and make sure it stays this way for generations to come,” said Stabenow.

Programs and admission to Eno River State Park are free. So to start 2016, go take a hike!

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