HULBERT – Sequoyah State Park has thrown down the gauntlet for hikers and nature lovers, difficult space residents to finish all of its trails throughout January.
Some have already gotten a head begin on the First Month Hikes at Sequoyah, and the workers noticed an honest group go to on New Year’s Day. But time nonetheless stays for hikers to defeat all 9 trails, which covers about 10 miles complete. The trails will be tackled both by way of the remaining guided hikes which might be out there for the remainder of the month, or park friends can full them on their very own.
“Once completed, you just come let us know at the [Three Forks] Nature Center and we’ll give you a sticker we’ve made that says ‘First Month Hikes,’” stated Sierra Coon, park naturalist.
There are paved and unpaved trails, in addition to looped paths and one-way jaunts. Whispering Pines is 2.5 miles, the longest path on the park. While some walkers may like to perform the system on their very own, they’ll study a factor or two by taking one of many guided hikes.
“The guided hikes are led by a naturalist and you’re with a group,” Coon stated. “While we’re walking through the trail, if we see anything that catches our eye – whether it be an animal or a plant – the naturalist can talk about it. So you get to not only explore the trail, but you get to interact with the staff here and learn something you may have not known prior to going on the hike.”
For occasion, those that went on the Bluebird Trail for the First Day Hike Jan. 4 noticed proof of woodpeckers. The workers identified scarring on the timber that confirmed the place a woodpecker had been current, giving contributors the information to identify it for themselves sooner or later.
“So they can learn something and then be an educator to other people,” Coon stated.
As hikers trekked by way of the Nature Loop on Tuesday, they talked in regards to the space foliage and the sights they took in. Some folks traveled all the way in which from Tulsa, and others introduced their canines to accompany them.
“I just thought this was a great way to get in shape, and it’s very quiet and peaceful here,” stated Elizabeth Edwards.
While on the Nature Loop, the hikers walked previous rock formations, and Coon identified a number of indicators of wildlife, or educated the group about sure phenomenon within the woods. She confirmed the hikers the place a buck had brushed up towards a tree, which within the late winter helps them shed their antlers. The group discovered some coyote scat, and realized persimmons are one in every of their favourite meals. The group noticed numerous mushrooms and realized find out how to establish timber.
Coon even indicated a lifeless tree that had fallen over.
“You’ll find snakes living in the trees, lizards, and other small creatures,” she stated. “I always love to point these out, because people just see a dead tree, but it still serves a purpose long after it was a gorgeous, beautiful tree.”
The probabilities of seeing wildlife are pretty excessive, so long as hikers stay quiet. When the climate is unhealthy, friends are much less prone to see them, however on good days, it’s onerous to go with out recognizing a deer. Coon encourages hikers to convey binoculars, because it may probably make them a brand new pastime.
“A lot of people are interested in birds, but they’re not birders,” she stated. “So this is a great way to start.”
You’re invited
Sequoyah State Park has 11 extra guided hikes scheduled in January. The subsequent hike is on Saturday, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m., when friends will take the Deer Run Trail. Hikers will meet on the Park Office previous to the hike. For extra data, name the park at 918-772-2545, or go to the Sequoyah State Park Facebook web page for a schedule of upcoming occasions.