New Year's Day Hikes at Anderson Marsh!

The tradition continues as Anderson Marsh State Historic Park holds its Eleventh Annual New Year’s Day Hike as part of the National “First Day Hike” Program.

Join us on New Year’s Day beginning at noon for the annual “First Day Hike” at Anderson Marsh State Historic Park. 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.

Participants can choose between two routes. The first hike will be a leisurely trip to the end of the Dawa Qanoq’ana trail. (Formerly known as the McVicar trail, “Dawa Qanoq’ana” means “south way in front of me” in the Pomo language.) This hike will go from the parking lot to the shores of Clear Lake across from Indian Island. This is a round-trip of about 7½ miles of mainly flat terrain, with the first about .3 miles being accessible. This hike should take about 3 hours, depending on how many times we stop to admire what we see along the way.

The second shorter hike covers a 3½-mile loop over the Cache Creek, Marsh and Ridge trails, with the first about .5 miles being accessible. This hike should take about 2 hrs.

Hikers will experience grasslands, oak woodlands, willow and cottonwood riparian habitats, and the tule marsh habitat of the Anderson Marsh Natural Preserve and may encounter a variety of migrating and resident birds and other wildlife.

The New Year’s Day hikes will be led by State Parks Interpreters and volunteer Docents associated with the Anderson Marsh Interpretive Association (AMIA). The yearly 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.

Both hikes begin at 12:00 noon. Children of all ages are welcome when accompanied by an adult. 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 the trails, which pass through the Anderson Marsh Natural Preserve. Heavy rain will cancel the hikes.

Anderson Marsh State Historic Park is located on Hwy 53, between Lower Lake and the City of Clearlake.