Photo: Winter Solstice Sunrise from Cowle’s Mountain

Hello Hikers!

Happy almost-Solstice! Thursday (December 21st) marks the first day of winter (can’t you tell by the weather?) and is the shortest day of the year. So the good news is days will slowly begin to get longer, and eventually we can all go hiking after work again.

The deadline to submit comments on the National Park Service’s proposal to increase entrance fees to certain National Parks during peak seasons is this Friday, December 22nd. Visit the NPS website to learn more and submit your comments.

The National Park Service has also announced a significant decrease in fee-free days for 2018. While 2017 had 10 fee-free days, in 2018 there will only be four: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15), the First Day of National Park Week (April 21), National Public Lands Day (September 22), and Veterans Day (November 11).

And finally, a bill has been introduced to the US House of Representatives that will allow bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs, strollers, and game carts in designated Wilderness areas. More information on the bill can be found here, and you can find and contact your representative here.

Here’s the latest outdoor and fitness deals from Amazon:

• Save up to $50 on Select Fitbit Trackers
• Save up to 25% on select styles from BUFF
• 20% off Towing and Cargo
• 50% off SEMOO Camping Pillow /Inflatable Air Pillow
• Save up to 25% on select Under Armour Winter Apparel and More
• Save 20% on Camping Gifts including Tents, Sleeping Bags and More
• Luwint 26” Sun Rain Headwear Umbrella Hat
• Up to 56% off Kelty Frontier Mummy Sleeping Pad
• Save 20% on Swiss Army Knives from Victorinox

Have a good week!
Photo: Del Dios Highlands Preserve