Henry County Conservation hosting New Year's Day hike

MT. PLEASANT — Henry County Conservation invites warmly dressed nature lovers to enjoy a self-guided New Year’s Day Hike Dec. 30- Jan. 3.

Following 15 numbered signs, hikers will enjoy activities, trivia, games, and more as they make their way around.

Each sign also contains an orange box with directions to the next stop.

The hike begins at Turtle Town located near the Oakland Mills Nature Center with the first sign and instructions.

From there, hikers will consider memories from the previous year and make plans for the next one at the second sign.

At stop number three, Naturalist Danica Cox prepared information about New Year’s traditions around the world.

Inspirational quotes greet hikers at stop four, and stop five gives nature related resolutions.

Take away activity instructions and a winter bucket list await trail travelers at stops six and seven.

Stop number eight invites hikers to celebrate the New Year in song.

The next few stops encourage explorers to keep their eyes peeled for various nature treasures, birds, and animals’ tracks.

As hikers near the end of their hike, Cox provides information on the history of New Year’s, how to add color to winter, and some fun activities to play in the snow.

According to Assistant Naturalist Shania Hansen, the circular hike ends back by the nature center after just over half a mile.

“It looks like it is supposed to be great weather this New Year’s,” she said.

“I know the state parks have put out a lot of ‘How many January first hikes can you do?’” Hansen said. “Which is perfect because we are right in between Geode and Lake Darling so you could stop here and do a loop.”

While this self-guided hike ends Jan. 3 at noon, Henry County Conservation hosts new self-guided hikes every two weeks throughout the summer.

“It seems like [the self-guided hikes] have been a pretty big hit,” Conservation Director Caleb Waters said.

“One of the reasons why the previous naturalist came up with these ideas was to get people outside after they were cooped up with COVID,” he said.

“It is something you can bring the family out or do it yourself,” Waters said. “You don’t have to have a big group of people.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com