In its 11th year, the DNR’s First Day Hike Challenge has more than 50 participating state parks and forests this year. Many of the parks will also offer guided hikes with park staff.

In Webster County, Brushy Creek State Recreation Area will be host to a guided hike on Sunday afternoon. Hikers can meet at the Prairie Resource Center, 2820 Brushy Creek Road, at 1 p.m.

“We’ll meet first and talk about hiking the trails at Brushy and answer any questions,” said Park Manager Amber O’Neill, who will be leading the hike.

Hikers will then caravan to the trailhead about three miles away, she said.

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Ash the miniature Australian shepherd watches Nash, 10, play with fresh, powdery snow on New Year’s Day 2021 at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area.

“The trail is one of our flattest trails along the Des Moines River, so it’ll be as easy as it can be for having to go through snow,” O’Neill said.

Temperatures for Sunday are forecasted to be in the mid 30s, so there might be some snowmelt, she said. Hikers are encouraged to wear waterproof boots and possibly ice cleats.

The trail they’ll be taking is about two miles long and expected to take one to two hours, O’Neill said.

“The trail follows a section of the Des Moines River,” she said. “Some of our normal hikers probably don’t know about this trail.”

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area has around 40 miles of trails, most of which were built for equestrian use, O’Neill said.

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A red-headed woodpecker breaks the soothing silence of a brisk winter day on Jan. 1, 2021, at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area with persistent taps.

“That’s why I’m always trying to help people find sections to do because some of them can be really long and have water crossings,” she said. “I think hiking is underutilized.”

The inaugural First Day Hike was on Jan. 1, 2012, O’Neill said, and Brushy Creek was one of just a handful of state parks that participated. Since then, one or both of the state parks in Webster County — Brushy and Dolliver Memorial State Park — have participated each year. The 2022 First Day Hike was canceled due to dangerously cold temperatures.

O’Neill said she thinks this New Year’s Day tradition is a fun one.

“I love to talk to people and get people excited about hiking and what you can do in the state parks in the winter,” she said. “Everyone’s used to the summer activities, but you can come out and ski and snowshoe and hike, look at the snow and the wildlife.”

O’Neill encourages regular summer hikers to come out on Sunday as well because the trails and sights look completely different without the vegetation and with the snow cover.

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Rossi, a white Samoyed on her second New Year’s Day hike in the woods, excitedly pulls owner Pete Wilcox of Webster City through Brushy Creek State Recreation Area on Jan. 1, 2021.

“There will be some really nice views of the Des Moines River and who knows what wildlife you’ll see,” she said.

Between Friday and Sunday, park visitors at any of the more than 50 participating state parks can check in on the online State Park Passport for a chance to a two-night stay at a cabin at Pine Lake State Park near Eldora. Every check-in over the weekend counts as a contest entry.

To find other locations of First Day Hikes across the state, visit iowadnr.gov/firstdayhikes.

IF YOU GO

2023 First Day Hike

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In the dead of winter, even the least attractive weeds and flowers find a refreshing new look after being glazed by ice and snow in a blizzard.

Sunday, Jan. 1

1 p.m.

Brushy Creek State Recreation Area

Meet at Prairie Resource Center, 2820 Brushy Creek Road, Lehigh

Enjoy the winter scenery and wildlife along the Des Moines River. Wear warm clothes, sturdy footwear and bring a water bottle.

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Ice fishers await the first bites of 2021 on Brushy Creek.