• Karen Carroll of Goffstown and Kat Fagan of Merrimack are ready for their first hike of the year. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Karen Carroll of Goffstown and Kat Fagan of Merrimack are ready for their first hike of the year. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • John Mitchell, right, Michele Mitchell, Josephine Mitchell and Isabel Mitchell of Keene are ready for a hike around the Gilson Pond area in Jaffrey. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    John Mitchell, right, Michele Mitchell, Josephine Mitchell and Isabel Mitchell of Keene are ready for a hike around the Gilson Pond area in Jaffrey. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Kim DuBois of Keene prepares for her first hike of the year at Monadnock State Park. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Kim DuBois of Keene prepares for her first hike of the year at Monadnock State Park. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Katherine, Curtis, Cole & Eleanor Hamilton of Greenfield and Kate Coon of Peterborough hike together. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Katherine, Curtis, Cole & Eleanor Hamilton of Greenfield and Kate Coon of Peterborough hike together. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Jennifer Davis and Paul Stockmaster of Gardner, Mass. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Jennifer Davis and Paul Stockmaster of Gardner, Mass. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Greg Gosselin and Caren Gosselin of Fremont hike the Goslin Pond Area together. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Greg Gosselin and Caren Gosselin of Fremont hike the Goslin Pond Area together. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Britta Hallberg, Jason Moore and Violet Moore, 8, of Peterborough, ready to hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Britta Hallberg, Jason Moore and Violet Moore, 8, of Peterborough, ready to hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Dave and Cindy Tworebley of Brattleboro, V.T., Barabara Skulley and Dave Hoitt of West Swanzey, and Lisa Fitzharris-Ouyon of West Chesterfield prepare for a hike together.
    Dave and Cindy Tworebley of Brattleboro, V.T., Barabara Skulley and Dave Hoitt of West Swanzey, and Lisa Fitzharris-Ouyon of West Chesterfield prepare for a hike together.
  • Pat Martin, right, Deanna Wilson, Becky Bernier and Rachael Weinhold, all of Rindge, are ready for the first day hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Pat Martin, right, Deanna Wilson, Becky Bernier and Rachael Weinhold, all of Rindge, are ready for the first day hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Laurie Villanova of Merrimack and Dennis Ditto of Marlborough prepare for their hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Laurie Villanova of Merrimack and Dennis Ditto of Marlborough prepare for their hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Terri Hummel, left, Mark Hummel, Ashley Hummel and Oreana Crandlmere ready to hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Terri Hummel, left, Mark Hummel, Ashley Hummel and Oreana Crandlmere ready to hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Michelle Dole, Theresa Koski, Kimberly Farone, Greg Rusnica and Pam Bohanan of Sutton and Westmoreland. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Michelle Dole, Theresa Koski, Kimberly Farone, Greg Rusnica and Pam Bohanan of Sutton and Westmoreland. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Tina Genovese, John Genovese, Anne Anderson, Rick Anderson, Kate Chisholm, Alex Chisholm, Thea Chisholm, Susan Megas-Russell gathered together from Swanzey Keene and Richmond to get int their first hike of the year at Monadnock State Park in Jaffrey. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Tina Genovese, John Genovese, Anne Anderson, Rick Anderson, Kate Chisholm, Alex Chisholm, Thea Chisholm, Susan Megas-Russell gathered together from Swanzey Keene and Richmond to get int their first hike of the year at Monadnock State Park in Jaffrey. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Stacey and Wyatt Anderson of Rindge enjoy the First Day Hike at Monadnock State Park on Thursday. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Stacey and Wyatt Anderson of Rindge enjoy the First Day Hike at Monadnock State Park on Thursday. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Stephanie Caragher and Alex Caragher of Wilton prepare for a short hike around the Gilson Pond Area of Monadnock State Park. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Stephanie Caragher and Alex Caragher of Wilton prepare for a short hike around the Gilson Pond Area of Monadnock State Park. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
  • Bon, Erik and Mike Anderson of Harrisville prepare for their hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript
    Bon, Erik and Mike Anderson of Harrisville prepare for their hike. COURTESY / Ledger-Transcript

Families from around the region visited Monadnock State Park on Thursday, for a First Day Hike. The event is a tradition in many of the NH state parks, and Monadnock participates every year. This year was the first time the park hosted the event at the Gilson Pond Area (the family campground part of Monadnock State Park). The hike went around the pond loop trail for a 45-minute long trek.