“You should all be proud of yourselves for waking up early on New Year’s Day, and trying something new,” said Amber O’Neill, park manager with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

A group of around 30 hikers gathered in a parking lot on the west side of Brushy Creek as they prepared to embark on a 1.2-mile trek along the wooded lakeshore. Most were bundled up for the hike as the temperature hovered around 26 degrees, with a cool breeze gently reminding them to keep moving.

Jeff Loken, of Dakota City, is an experienced hiker and has participated in several first-day hikes.

“I train here sometimes,” he said. “My son and I are doing a five-day backpacking trip in Denali, Alaska.”

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Pete Wilcox, of Webster City, left, talks with Brian Wagner, of Webster City, and Barrett Keller, 8, and his mother Breanne Keller, of Clarion. The Kellers enjoyed meeting Wilcox's Samoyeds, Sakari and Rosso, who were also enjoying their first hike of the New Year.

He said he likes hiking at Brushy because the trails are well-marked and because of the number of amenities offered.

First Day Hikes are a nationwide event that have been taking place since 2012, according to O’Neill. Locally, she said the guided New Year’s Day hikes are often alternated between Dolliver Memorial State Park and Brushy Creek.

“Our trail system is very large,” O’Neill said of Brushy, with over 40 miles of trails for horses and hikers to experience.

Greg Van Fosson, who is originally from Lehigh and lives near the park, also took part in Wednesday’s hike. A former park ranger himself, he moved to the area in 1989 and retired in 2015.

“I enjoyed watching them build all of this,” Van Fosson said of Brushy Creek.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Barrett Keller, 8, of Clarion, enjoys petting one of Pete Wilcox's Samoyeds at a stop during the First Day Hike Wednesday at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area.

He said the first surveys were done in 1961 and took 30 to 40 years to complete.

Breanne Keller, of Clarion, was participating in her first New Year’s Day hike, along with her 8-year-old son, Barrett, and her father Brian Wagner, of Webster City. Barrett is a “veteran hiker” in the group, having participated last year as well.

Dave Volkers, from the Stratford/Stanhope area, is an avid hiker as well. He decided to participate after reading about the event in the newspaper, bringing along his wife, daughter and granddaughter to enjoy the hike.

Living along the Boone River, he said he hikes nearly every day.

“I’m out all the time,” said Volkers.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
A group gathers around Park Manager Amber O'Neill for instructions Wednesday in the parking lot at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area before heading out on a guided First Day Hike.

His daughter Elizabeth Collins, of Stratford, added, “We do enjoy hiking, so we thought we’d enjoy a guided hike.”

All said they would do it again if given the chance.

O’Neill said Wednesday’s turnout was one of the better ones, though she wouldn’t have minded seeing some snow on the ground. Some years, she said hikers have used snowshoes to make the trek.

But the main goal is to get people outside and enjoy what the area has to offer.

“I hope this gets people excited about hiking in the park and exploring all parks,” O’Neill said, “whether they enjoy state, county or city parks.”

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Some of the First Day hikers pause for a photo at a picnic area Wednesday at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Hikers of all ages along with a few pets made the First Day Hike at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area to kick off the new year. About 30 people participated in the guided hike.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Before even leaving the parking lot, First Day hikers took in this serene view looking out over the lake at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area from the West Boat Parking Ramp.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Hikers pause for a photo opp Wednesday at a picnic area at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area. The First Day Hike was led by Park Manager Amber O'Neill.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
This was one of many views that hikers saw along the trail during a First Day Hike Wednesday at Brushy Creek State Recreation Area.