Incentive: Hike 100 miles, and earn a hand-carved walking stick
OLYMPIA – Dec. 23, 2016 – Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to kick off the New Year right with a Healthy Hike, while enjoying the scenic beauty of the old growth forest at Rockport State Park.
Park staff or volunteers will lead Healthy Hikes on the 3-mile Evergreen Loop Trail every Saturday morning, beginning at 9 a.m. Jan. 1 through Feb. 4, at Rockport State Park, 51095 Hwy 20, Rockport. (Map: http://parks.state.wa.us/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1938). Guided hikes begin in the parking lot and are moderately paced. Participants are invited to finish their hike with warm beverages at the Discovery Center.
Valerie Stafford, owner of Encore Fitness in Concrete, will lead the first 2017 Healthy Hike at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan, 1. She will share stretching techniques and other healthy hiking tips.
Participants can take the 3-mile Evergreen Loop trail or choose to hike Rockport’s trails on their own. The park has a total of 5 miles of trails, ranging from easy to moderate. Well-behaved dogs on leash are welcome. The park features an ADA-accessible trail. Dress for the weather with footwear suitable for wet, muddy and/or slippery trails.
To add an extra incentive, visitors who hike 100 miles in Rockport State Park during 2017 will earn a hand-carved walking stick made by Don Smith, artist and senior park aide. The miles can be logged on the staff-led hikes or anytime in 2017. The log must be completed at the park after each hike.
The activity is free, but a Discover Pass is required for vehicle access, except for designated free days, such as Jan. 1, 17 and 18. More information about State Parks free days is here: http://parks.state.wa.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=262
The Discover Pass is $10 for a one-day use or $30 for an annual pass. Both kinds of passes are available for purchase at the park office.
For more information about Healthy Hikes, contact Amos Almy, interpretive specialist, at (360) 853-8461. For more information about Rockport State Park, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/574/Rockport
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About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
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Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at http://adventureawaits.com/.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
1111 Israel Road S.W.
P.O. Box 42650
Olympia, WA 98504-2650
Washington Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388