2020 is the year that we are going to complete the 52 Hike Challenge!
We attempted this challenge a couple of years ago, and ended up doing a poor job of tracking our hikes. This year, we will track each one of the hikes that we take. In completing the challenge, we will work to improve our overall health and to explore more of the beautiful parks and places both near and far!
What is the 52 Hike Challenge?
The 52 Hike Challenge encourages you to get out, explore, and spend time in nature by completing 52 hikes over the course of the year. It is open to everyone, and includes several different challenges that you can complete. We will pursue the original challenge, but there are others that you can choose from including one for kids, one for pets, and even a new lifetime challenge for exploring National Parks.
We will be updating this page with our progress as the year progresses, so make sure to check back!
January Hiking Activity
We started out the year with a road trip to National Parks near El Paso, Texas! As such, we got to take some great hikes in some beautiful parks in the Southwest.
Hike #1 (January 2): White Sands National Park, New Mexico (Interdune Boardwalk (0.4 miles), Playa Trail (0.5 miles))
Hike #2 (January 3): Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas (Pinery Trail (0.75 miles), Smith Spring Trail (~1 mile) – we didn’t complete the entire loop at Smith Spring because we didn’t want the sun to set on us. We hiked about half a mile beyond Manzanita Spring, and the portion of the trail that we did hike was beautiful though!)
Hike #3 (January 4): Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico (King’s Palace Tour (1 mile), hiked in the Big Room and also hiked down to Natural Entrance)
Hike #4 (January 6): Big Bend National Park, Texas (Window View Trail (0.4 mile), hiked back to Santa Elena Canyon)
February Hiking Activity
February didn’t result in any hiking for us. Neither of us was feeling well, and other commitments ate up the spare time that we had… but onward!
March Hiking Activity
March included some nice hiking during our Alabama road trip. We were able to log the following hikes.
Hike #5 (March 6): Stone River National Battlefield and Russell Cave National Monument
Hike #6 (March 9): Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site – walking around the Tuskegee campus
Hike #7 (March 10): Little River Canyon and Big South Fork
April Hiking Activity
During April, we tried not to leave our house for anything but essential activity… and the occasional scenic drive. We drove to a couple of parks, but felt that there were too many people out and about that were not wearing masks or social distancing. That said, we took some nice local drives and got out where we didn’t see anybody else for 8th hike of the year during April.
Hike #8 (April 11): Lake Hope State Park
Hike #9 (April 16): Buckeye Lake State Park
May Hiking Activity
So far, we have found a couple of nice places to enjoy the outdoors that were sparsely populated. We felt safer because there weren’t as many people out and about! We still wore our masks!
Hike #10 (May 9): Slate Run MetroPark
Hike #11 (May 10): JFK Park
Hike #12 (May 16): Rock Mill and Covered Bridges in Fairfield County
Hike #13 (May 24): Rhodedendron Cove State Nature Preserve and Clear Creek MetroPark
Hike #14 (May 30): AW Marion State Park
June Hiking Activity
Although I’m missing road trips to our National Parks, we have been finding some great places near us right here in Central Ohio! While we still don’t hike everywhere we go (e.g. if we don’t feel safe), we have been able to start to enjoy the early summer weather at some of the hidden gems near us.
Hike #15 (June 6): Infirmary Mound Park (we highly recommend checking out the unique Fairy Trail)
Hike #16 (June 13): Lobdell Reserve, Licking County Park
Hike #17 (June 21): Taft Reserve North
July Hiking Activity
Hike #18 (July 11): Old Quarry Park
Hike #19 (July 25): Deer Creek State Park
August Hiking Activity
Hike #20 (Aug 21): Rhododendron Cove
September Hiking Activity
Hike #21 (Sept 5): Strouds Run State Park
Hike #22 (Sept 26): Bridge of Dreams Covered Bridge
October Hiking Activity
Hike #23 (Oct 17): Teegarden Covered Bridge
Hike #24 (Oct 31): Slate Run Metropark
November Hiking Activity
Hike #25 (Nov 7): Slate Run Metropark
Hike #26 (Nov 13): Walnut Woods Metropark
Hike #27 (Nov 14): Clear Creek Metropark
Hike #28 (Nov 20): Smeck Park
Hike With Us!
We are not hiking experts at all, but are trying to get a bit more fit and enjoy some extra time outside! Commit to the 52 Hike Challenge (or whatever fits your comfort level), and share your hikes with us!
