The public is invited to visit High Bridge Trail State Park for its annual First Day Hike. The hike will begin at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 1, at the River Road access to High Bridge Trail and will follow the trail to High Bridge. Total length of the hike is about three miles.

Education Specialist, Bob Flippen will present a brief program on the artillery used at High Bridge during the American Civil War. This will include a discussion regarding the four earthen forts used by the Confederates to guard the approaches to High Bridge. Special guests of the Park will include Captain John Butler of Cumberland and the Cummings Battery of Cape Fear Light Artillery. They will display the use of artillery with load and fire demonstrations.

Many of the guns stationed at the High Bridge forts were undesirable surplus from the regular army. This resulted in many of the shells used for the High Bridge artillery being custom made to fit the unusual assortment of the guns stationed there, making them unique and rare.

Enjoy drinks and light refreshments provided by the Friends of High Bridge Trail State Park. The First Day Hike is part of a nationwide movement to encourage the use of local, state and nationalp as part of a healthy lifestyle. High Bridge Trail State Park boasted the largest attendance at the First Day Hike in 2012 with 122 participants. Come and make history again in 2013. Please remember to bring drinking water as there is none available on the trail. For information, contact the park office at 434-315-0457 or email highbridgetrail@virginia.gov.