[Jan 01, 10am] First Day Hike! Pocahontas State Park, Easy-ish 4 miles on trails

## 📸🥾 Annual First Day Hike

Hike Leaders: Tim Gilbert and Ann Lankey

Pocahontas State Park — New Year’s Day 2026
Kick off 2026 outdoors with a FIRST DAY HIKE!
Every New Year’s Day, Virginia State Parks offer free parking and free commemorative “First Day Hike” stickers to encourage people to start the year active, outdoors, and connected to local parks.
We’re joining in with a relaxed, social group hike at Pocahontas State Park.
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🗺️ Hike Details

• Location: Pocahontas State Park
• Route: ~4-mile loop
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Pace: Steady but conversational
• Terrain: Well-maintained park trails
• Focus: Primarily hiking, with brief pauses for photography

Note:
This is a joint event with my Hiking + Photography group. We have a bunch of events lined up (and more coming) so if you want to stay informed and join those events, please check that group out as well. I'm mentioning this for context, because although this is a mostly hiking-focused outing, we’ll build in short stops for photos when something photo-worthy catches our eye. The emphasis of this event is on starting the year moving and outdoors and we will move at a steady pace. However you can expect occasional stops along the way for capturing interesting artifacts and moments. If this is not what you're looking for, you will want to take a pass on this.
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### ⏰ Meetup Time & Logistics

• Meet: 10:00 AM
• Start walking: 10:05 AM sharp

📍 Meeting point:
Nature & Heritage Center at Pocahontas State Park
(Google Maps link)
We'll meet in front of the entrance to the Center. Please allow plenty of time to:

• Find the park entrance
• Park
• Gather your gear
• Walk over to the Nature & Heritage Center
• Use restrooms (if needed)
• Get your First Day sticker inside the Nature Center

🚻 Restrooms are available at the Nature & Heritage Center.
Please plan to use them before we start.

Important: We will begin on time and cannot wait for late arrivals.
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### 🌦️ Weather Forecast (as of now)

• High: 34-40°F
• Conditions: Partly cloudy
• Precipitation: 3% chance
• Wind: 7–8 mph
• Humidity: ~41%

Plan for cool winter conditions and dress in layers.
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### 🎒 What to Wear/Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Water and snacks
• Camera or phone (optional)
• Small daypack if needed

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### 🅿️ Parking & Fees

• FREE PARKING on New Year’s Day (Virginia State Parks First Day Hike program)
• Free commemorative First Day Hike stickers available while supplies last

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### ⚠️ Safety & Participation Disclaimer

By attending this event, you acknowledge that outdoor activities like hiking involve inherent risks, including uneven terrain and changing weather conditions. You are responsible for your own safety, equipment, and personal well-being during the event. Participation is voluntary, and attendees assume all risks associated with the hike.
This event is informal and social in nature and is not guided, supervised, or insured.