MUSCATINE, Iowa–When people think of hiking, they often do not think of it as a winter event. However, as people start to feel cooped up and begin looking for ways to keep their new year’s resolutions of staying active, Karri Rutenbeck, a natural resources technician at Wildcat Den State Park, encourages them to expand their idea of a good day for a hike and come join her for the park’s fourth First Day Hike.
Wildcat Den started their First Day Hike tradition as part of a statewide initiative to encourage people to visit and enjoy state parks. In just a few years, the event has gained a lot of traction, with many people making it an annual affair. “It’s one of our most attended events of the year,” shared Rutenbeck. In its first year, 100 people joined in and that number grew to 320 in its second year. After moving to a self-guided format in 2021 due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic, Rutenbeck expects participation will return to high levels.
At 1 p.m. Jan. 1, 2022, the hike will step off from Wildcat Den’s upper picnic area, located at 1884 Wildcat Den Road in Muscatine. Prior to the hike, the Friends of the Pine Creek Grist Mill will light a warming fire and offer free hot chocolate to hikers before they set off on the trail.
Participants will then make a loop of just over a mile along the Punch Bowl Trail down into the Devil’s Punch Bowl and then down along the Pine Creek Trail past the lower picnic area and Steamboat Rock before returning to the starting point. A guided tour, Rutenbeck will highlight points of natural and historic interest, helping people get to know Wildcat Den State Park better.
A family friendly event, Rutenbeck considers the hike suitable for people of many different ages and abilities, as well as pets on leashes. However, due to stairs and some uneven surfaces, she cautions against families with young children bringing them in strollers.
For those starting to get a bit of cabin fever, Rutenbeck considers the first Day Hike the perfect opportunity for them to get out and stretch their legs. “It’s a great way to get outside, especially at this time of year when you might need a bit of a push to get out the door,” she explained. In case of excessively cold weather, Rutenbeck will post a cancelation on Wildcat Den’s website.
If anyone would prefer to take a self-guided tour instead, Rutenbeck reminds all hikers that the trail will remain open for the rest of the day as well. Anyone who participates in either a guided or self-guided hike of Wildcat Den State Park between Dec. 31 and Jan 2., 2021, may enter into a statewide contest held by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to win a two night stay at Lake Darling in Brighton. They may learn more about this opportunity by visiting the Department’s website.
