BOONE, Iowa—The annual First Day Hikes were held at some 40 parks in Iowa with over two dozen guided or headed up by the Iowa DNR. The Ledges State Park First Day Hike was sent off by Ranger Klint Peterson. Some 240 people and an untold number of dogs headed down Canyon Drive at the Ledges shortly after 10:30 Wednesday morning. Seasonal weather greeted hikers with many covering additional trails. Over 150 returned to take part in a free will chili feed offered by Friends of the Ledges. Proceeds from the chili feed may be designated for a number of projects the Friends plan to work on in 2025.

Hikers gather at the trail head to hear from Ranger Klint Peterson before heading out on the First Day Hike at the Ledges State Park.