*Full* First Day Hike - Vernon-Douglas State Nature Preserve - Hardin County, KY

Thursday, January 1, 2026
9:00 a.m. central time (10:00 a.m. eastern)

Approximately 4.5 miles. Uneven terrain, moderate to strenuous.

"Dedicated August 12, 1992, Vernon-Douglas State Nature Preserve is located within a rugged, steep, forested section of Hardin County (near Elizabethtown). This 730-acre preserve protects one of the most mature second-growth forests in the Knobs physiographic region. Hall Hollow, a north-facing valley in the preserve, supports a rich array of spring wildflowers. A trail system passes through the valley bottom to the dry ridges above Hall Hollow. A spur trail takes hikers onto a narrow point locally known as "the pinnacle," which provides a bird's-eye view of the Younger Creek valley." - Hall Hill/Vernon-Douglas State Nature Preserve - Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet
Map here: [VernonDouglasBrochure.indd (ky.gov)](https://eec.ky.gov/Nature-Preserves/Brochures/VernonDouglasBrochure_color.pdf)

Bring lunch, snacks and water. Dress in layers.

Sorry, no dogs are allowed in Kentucky nature preserves.

The 10 Essentials of Hiking - American Hiking Society
[The 7 Principles - Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (lnt.org)](https://lnt.org/why/7-principles/)

RSVP with integrity. If you RSVP'D "Yes" and discover you cannot go, please change your RSVP to "No" so others aren't standing around the parking waiting on you. Thanks!

Disclaimer: Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other outdoor activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possibly death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer, and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.