First hike of 2024 kicks off
Janet Shaffer, of Niles, Ohio, and Hannah Durkin, of Butler, prepare to hike at Moraine State Park on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
The annual First Day Hike at Moraine State Park had full attendance Monday morning.
Park rangers took hikers through a loop of about two miles through the Pleasant Valley Trail to the adjoining Sunken Garden Trail for what was meant to be an easy hike to start off the year.
The First Day Hike is a tradition at the park, giving people a guided tour of a trail or two at Moraine. Park rangers led the hike, and members of the Butler Outdoor Club assisted with organizing the hike.
Piper Burr, 14, of Evans City, assembled the first snowman of 2024 before heading out on the First Day Hike at Moraine State Park on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Natalie Simon, environmental education specialist at Moraine State Park, organized and hosted the First Day Hike at the park on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Victoria Garcia, left, Javier Gilette, right, carrying his son, Ben, and Alan Josserand enjoy the trails during the First Day Hike on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, at Moraine State Park. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Natalie Simon, environmental educator at Moraine State Park, left, welcomes visitors to the park’s First Day Hike on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Butler Outdoor Club members, from left, Tammy Veloski of Fombell, Rich Thornhill of Portersville, Tom Vayansky of Connoquenessing and Sherry Magill of Connoquenessing, assist with the First Day Hike at Moraine State Park on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Environmental education specialist Natalie Simon, left, leads hikers on the First Hike at Moraine State Park on Monday morning, Jan. 1, 2024. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
Carol Caparoula, left, of New Castle, and Allison Caparoula, of Pittsburgh, enjoy the First Day Hike at Moraine State Park on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, with their dogs. Chris Leisie/Special to the Eagle
