A Chilly First Day Hike

It was indeed a chilly January 1st, 2026 with a few snow squalls. Still, around a100 human souls came out to enjoy NH Park's First Day Hike. Park Manager, Rachel Bruce, and a team of WSPA Board volunteers were on hand long before to set up for the event.

There are also doggies, such as this cutie, who show up for the hike. Rachel always has treats for those guys as well.

It's always nice to have a framed photo!

Don Doolan, from Park Staff, volunteered to perform the much-appreciated role of intrepid, fire-tending woodsman.

The Weeks State Park scenic auto road is a very popular trail to hike in the winter. Because so many people use it, it results in a packed down surface, relatively easy to walk.

The Tower was a popular objective for the hikers to climb to.

It's looking great - especially after the masonry was completely repointed last year. Thank you State of New Hampshire Parks & Recreation.

The First Day Hike is usually held at Weeks State Park every other year. On the alternate year the event is held at the Nansen Ski Area at Milan State Park. The event programming is organized by Eric Feldman, Administrator for the Bureau of Community Recreation within the NH Division of Parks.

At the North Overlook, the view down towards Lancaster was a bit cloudy but it's great to take a peek anyway. The Pat Nelson trail, which leaves from here and goes through the woods to the parking lot near the garage, was just beautiful. It reminded us of Robert Frost's "the woods are lovely dark and deep..."

Soon it was time to stop by the fire and warm up a bit before ending the hike. WSPA Board member, Bill Ghelli, seemed to be enjoying the fire. The WSPA volunteers sure are a great help. This year, in addition to Bill, we had: Matt Treamer, Mary Snowman, Kathie-Westby-Gibson, Nancy DeCourcey and Linda Scherf.

The hike ended, where it all began, at the parking lots - the main one here at the park entrance from Route 3 and the overflow lot down the road a little bit at the Mt. Prospect Ski Tow parking area.

Thanks to NH Parks and to everyone who braved the cold and came out and to all who worked so hard to make this a perfect way to begin the new year.