GREENFIELD — Joe Whitfield can think of no better way to ring in the new year than a brisk hike through the woods.
The advanced naturalist and arborist, who works for the Greenfield Parks Department, led nearly two dozen people on a hike through the city’s Thornwood Nature Preserve on New Year’s Day.
“This is the first time we’ve done something like this in Greenfield,” said Whitfield, referring to the trend of parks hosting organized New Years Day hikes on Jan. 1
He and his wife, Elaine, a fellow naturalist, led the group through the park’s walking trail Monday afternoon, pointing out interesting flora and fauna along the way.
The couple had no idea what kind of crowd to expect, but were thrilled that 23 people came out for the hour-long hike, followed by the chance to share cocoa and coffee in the park’s nature center.
Whitfield said the vast majority had never before visited Thornwood Nature Preserve, a 40-acre wooded park at 1597 S. Morristown Pike.
Gary and Connie Schmidt of Greenfield joined two other couples on the hike, to enjoy fresh air and exercise with friends.
“It was a nice way to start the year,” said Connie Schmidt, who learned a thing or two along the way.
“There were some trees on the property that are unexpected, ones you might expect to see someplace else like Tennessee,” said Schmidt, a self-described nature lover.
“One of the things I thought was really interesting is that there are one or two apple trees on the property, which is not something you’d expect there. (The guide) said someone thought a log cabin might have been there at one time, and perhaps whoever lived there may have planted the apple trees, but they haven’t been able to find evidence of that yet,” she said.
Schmidt said she and her husband have gone on New Year’s Day walks before, mostly on the Pennsy Trail in Greenfield, but that she felt inspired to make it an annual tradition moving forward.
Her sister, Miriam Rolles of Greenfield, also felt inspired by the hike, and the chance to start the new year off with a focus on health and fitness.
She and a friend, Mary Gibble of Greenfield, went for a 6-mile run on the Pennsy Trail after enjoying the guided hike with their husbands.
“We wanted to do a New Year’s Day 10K,” said Gibble, adding that it was great to have so many local options for enjoying a New Year’s Day hike, walk or run close to home.
“We’re on the Pennsy Trail quite a lot, and we’re thankful for the fact there are these kinds of amenities right here in our community so we can be active throughout the year,” she said.
Whitfield hopes to host 2-3 more organized hikes at the nature preserve this year, including the possibility of a night hike, as he has in the past.
He’s also looking forward to the grand opening of the Thornwood Nature Center, which is slated to take place later this year.
One thing’s for sure. He plans to spent next New Year’s Day doing what he loves most, sharing his love of nature with others.
According to AmericanHiking.org, First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America’s State Parks to encourage people to get outdoors. This year hundreds of free, guided hikes were held in all 50 states.
“The distance and rigor vary from park to park, but all hikes aim to create a fun experience for the whole family,” states the website, which shares the following tips for cold-weather hiking:
Dress in layers — Instead of wearing a heavy coat, dress in several layers you can peel off and put back on instead. Your base layer should be a wicking fabric that pulls sweat away from the skin. Overheating is a dangerous threat, since excessive moisture that isn’t allowed to escape can freeze and cause hypothermia.
Wear a hat — Our heads consume one third of the body’s energy. During the colder months it’s important to keep your head covered to maintain function and not lose precious body heat.
Keep your water bottle warm — Whether at the campsite or on the trail, a foam sleeve like a koozie will help prevent bottled water from freezing. Keeping your water bottle on the inside of your jacket also helps prevent freezing.
Don’t toss the sunscreen — Sunscreen is essential year-round. Winter hikers often forget about the sun’s glare reflecting off snow.
Be prepared for shorter days — Dusk settles earlier and more quickly in the winter. Hikers are advised to have a good idea of usable daylight hours before heading out, and to always carry a headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries.
Source: AmericanHiking.org
