Celebrate 2020 with one of these first-day hikes
How to choose the perfect bottle of bubbly for New Year’s Eve
Across the country, all 50 state parks systems are offering guided hikes on Jan. 1 as part of an annual tradition. In Arizona, there are more than 20 outings to choose from.
Park rangers and volunteers will lead the way on easy walks, more challenging hikes, boat tours and bird watchings across the state. Participants will be able to ask questions about the landscape and wildlife.
In the Phoenix area, you’ll find 1- and 2.4-mile hikes at Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction. Up in Sedona, learn about geology, wildlife and local history at Slide Rock State Park and Red Rock State Park.
Check the parks’ websites before you go: Some do not allow dogs and some activities require reservations.
Start 2020 off on the right foot with one of these five hikes and nature walks across Arizona. For the full list of participating parks, check azstateparks.com/ fdh.
At 8 a.m., a ranger will lead a 2.4-mile moderate hike along the Treasure Loop Trail, which has a 500-foot elevation gain. The beginner’s hike, a 1-mile loop with a 75-foot elevation gain, begins at 11 a.m. Meet at the Saguaro ramada, and pets are not allowed.
Details: 8 and 10 a.m., Wednesday,
Jan. 1. Lost Dutchman State Park, 6109 N. Apache Trail, Apache Junction. $7 per vehicle. 480-982-4485, azstate parks.com/lost-dutchman.
Slide Rock State Park
You don’t have to get up early for this 1.5-mile walk led by ranger Blake Hourigan, who will explain the geology, wildlife and history of the area. Originally homesteaded as an apple orchard, the Slide Rock area of Oak Creek Canyon is one of Arizona’s most popular tourist destinations.
Details: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. Slide Rock State Park, 6871 AZ-89A, Sedona. $10 per vehicle. 928-282-3034, azstateparks.com/slide-rock.
Red Rock State Park
A volunteer naturalist will lead a nature walk and answer questions about geology, plant life, history and archaeology. Pets are not allowed at the park.
Details: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. Red Rock State Park, 4050 Red Rock Loop Road, Sedona. $7, $4 for ages 7-13, free for age 7 and younger. 928-2826907, azstateparks.com/red-rock.
Picacho Peak State Park
A moderate, ranger-led 1.2-mile hike along the Calloway Overlook Trail begins at 10 a.m. Though you’ll find expansive views of the Sonoran Desert, the hike will not go to the top of the peak. Leave dogs at home and meet at Harrington Loop trailhead.
Details: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. Picacho Peak State Park, 15520 Picacho Peak Road, Picacho. $7 per vehicle. 520466-3183, azstateparks.com/picacho.
Dead Horse Ranch State Park
There will be two hikes here on New Year’s Day. The morning outing, which will start with cookies and hot cocoa, is a 3-mile birding and nature hike that winds along the Verde River and the lagoons starting at the West Lagoon parking lot.
In the afternoon, a 3-mile guided desert hike will bring visitors to sights overlooking the Verde River and the Tuzigoot National Monument.
Details: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1. Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood. $7 per vehicle. 928-634-5283, azstateparks.com/dead-horse.