Please join us for the annual Groundhog Hike! Every six years, Groundhog Day falls on a Sunday … and that means this year’s Groundhog Hike takes place on the actual holiday — Sunday, Feb. 2. The family-friendly winter hiking event is hosted by Athens Conservancy and Friends of Strouds Run in honor of our founder John Knouse.
It’s the 22nd year for the popular event. The fun kicks off around noon at Strouds Run State Park, where we’ll gather at the Lakeview Shelter, which is at the end of the paved section of the road that goes past the beach. Enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and snacks, and warm up by our campfire before heading out on the trails. You will be able to choose from several hikes through the beautiful winter woods (a longer trek and a shorter version), led by our expert guides. Or explore the trails on your own.
We’ll be setting up a potluck of snacks in the shelter house. Feel free to bring something to share, and please label your item with any details about what it contains.
While we love pets, we ask that for this event you leave your furry friends at home.
Long and Short Hike details:
Both long and short hikes will start up the Chestnut trail then quickly turn right on the Sundown trail. The trail winds back and forth as it climbs the ridge with occasional views of the lake below. At the intersection of Broken Rock trail the long hike follows it up to the left to summit the ridge. The long hike follows Broken Rock along the ridge top nearly a mile before descending and turning left on Sundown trail (before the Broken Rock trailhead at the boat rental). The long hike follows Sundown with views of the beach and lake returning to Chestnut trail and the Lakeview shelter.
The short hike stays on the Sundown trail a bit further (after the long hike has turned left on Broken Rock ) then follows Broken Rock as it continues to the right. The trail will descend down to the lake where Broken Rock ends at the Lakeview trail. The short hike turns right on the Lakeview trail ending on the gravel road and on to the Lakeview shelter.