January 1 Hike at Anderson Marsh

Description

Come join us at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park for a free, community hike beginning at noon on New Year’s Day. The hike is part of America's State Parks First Day Hikes program. The nationwide First Day Hikes program offers individuals and families an opportunity to begin the New Year by taking a healthy hike on January 1st at a state park close to home. The New Year’s Day hike will be led by State Parks volunteers associated with the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA). The event offers a wonderful opportunity to begin the New Year right by getting outside, enjoying nature and welcoming the New Year with friends and family on January 1. Participants can choose between two routes. The McVicar Trail hike is a leisurely trip to the end of the trail and back, from the parking lot to the shores of Clear Lake, across from Indian Island. The entire walk is about 7½ miles of mainly flat terrain and should take between 3 and 4 hours, depending on how many times we stop to admire what we see along the way. The shorter Cache Creek, Marsh and Ridge Trails walk is a 3½-mile loop over these three trails. This shorter hike will take between 2 and 2 ½ hrs. Hikers will experience grasslands, oak woodlands, willow and cottonwood riparian habitats and the tule marsh habitat of the Anderson Marsh Natural Reserve, and may encounter a variety of migrating and resident birds and other wildlife. Both hikes begin at 12:00 noon at the park off Hwy 53, between Lower Lake and Clearlake. Children of all ages are welcome. Hikers should bring water and snacks, binoculars if they have them, and a hat for protection against the weather. Sturdy shoes that can handle a little mud are recommended. Participants on both hikes are welcome to walk part way and make an early return at their own pace. No dogs are allowed on these trails, which pass through the Anderson Marsh Natural Reserve. Heavy rain will cancel the walks.