Start the New Year with great hikes

Carol EvansGet Out & Play

Friday, January 6

Full Moon Hike: 5:30 p.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Cost $10. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. We’ll walk along the Accessible Bobwhite Trail and discuss the nocturnal animals and listen for evidence of them as they emerge from their daytime hiding places. Register online.

Saturday, January 7

AMBC Trail Work: 9-12 p.m., IC King Park. Free. Info: Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. We’ll have all the tools – bring water, gloves, and safety glasses. Lunch served at noon. Details online.

Birds of Prey Hike: 10 a.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Cost $6. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. On a 3-mile hike we’ll look for hawks, vultures, kestrels, owls and eagles and learn about the habitats used by all our native birds of prey and the field marks you need to identify them. Bring field guides and binoculars. Register online.

1st Saturday Paddle: 10 a.m., Tellico. Info: Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association. Every 1st Saturday you will find us paddling a whitewater river or creek somewhere in TN. We’ll keep it on natural flow as much as possible. Expect Class II through Class IV. Details and registration online.

Monday, January 9

OHB Run Club: 6:00 p.m. Check Facebook for start location. Free. Info: Orange Hat Brewery at 865-240-3884. Walkers to sprinters, all ability levels, join us for a greenway or trail run every Monday evening. An out-and-back 5k distance will be marked. Afterwards, enjoy $1 off beers in the OHB taproom.

Fun Run: 6:30 p.m. Bearden Beer Market. Free. Info: Bearden Beer Market at 865-851-8922. Social run leaving from Bearden Beer Market. Check Facebook for details and updates.

South Knox Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Alliance Brewing Company. Free. 865 Running. Social pace 3’ish mile run, come back for $1 off on beers. All levels are welcome.

Tuesday, January 10

Intermediate Group Road Ride: 10 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. Route and pace determined by the leader and group. Route length is 30-35 miles at a 15-17 MPH average pace with regrouping along the route. Limited to 10 cyclists. Register online.

Harvey Broome Group monthly meeting: 7 p.m. TN Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Free. Info: Harvey Broom Sierra Club. Join us on the second Tuesday of the month. This month’s program is “Nature Doesn’t Care About Your Skin Color” by Brandy Sales, outdoor professional – Trail Name: Black Man Hiking. The outdoors saved his life 3 times; Brandy is now helping audiences learn how to find wellness in the outdoors. Details and virtual option available online.

Thursday, January 12

Leave No Trace Program: 7 p.m., Virtual Zoom. Free. Info: UT Arboretum at 865-483-3571. Join Great Smoky Mountains National Park Backcountry Specialist Christine Hoyer as she teaches about the importance of “Leave No Trace” ethics in protecting our outdoor spaces. She explains how the park, a place with extraordinary biodiversity and high visitation, must meet the challenges of balancing use and preservation within the park boundaries. Registration Link.

Saturday, January 14

Bike Zoo Saturday Ride: 9 a.m., Bike Zoo. Free. Info: Bike Zoo at 865-558-8455. 3-hour ride of 50+ miles at a fast pace of 18/20 mph. Weather permitting.

Third Creek Greenway Parkrun: 9 a.m., Third Creek Greenway at Safety City. Free. Info: Parkrun. Join us on Saturday morning for a free, fun, and friendly 5k community event. Afterwards enjoy a post parkrun coffee at Panera Bread, Bearden. Details and registration online.

YWCA Race Against Racism: 1 p.m., YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center. Info: YMCA of East Tennessee. YWCA’s 27th Annual Race Against Racism kicks off with Diversity Day activities for the entire family at 12 p.m. 5K, 1-mile walk, and Kids Fun Run follows beginning at 1 p.m. Register online.

Carol Evans is executive director of Legacy Parks Foundation.

 

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