Crater of Diamonds offers First Day Hikes

MURFREESBORO -- Crater of Diamonds State Park will offer a morning guided New Year's Day hike around the Little Missouri River Trail as part of the national First Day Hikes initiative.

Hikers of all ages and activity levels are welcome to meet at 9 a.m. at the Little Missouri River Trailhead, located across from Site 22 in the park campground. Limited parking is available at the trailhead and nearby bath house, a news release said.

Wear sturdy walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring drinking water.

All park facilities, including the diamond search area, will be closed on Jan. 1 for New Year's Day.

"The Little Missouri River Trail offers an easy, one-hour walk featuring a view of the Little Missouri River. Educational panels along the way highlight native plants and animals, and two exercise stations offer a variety of physical fitness challenges. Half the 1.2-mile loop is paved and is the longest wheelchair-accessible trail in this part of the state. The unpaved portion of the trail is also easily walked. If you miss next year's First Day Hike, you can still enjoy a peaceful walk along the Little Missouri River Trail at any time during daylight hours," the release said.

First Day Hikes originated more than 25 years ago at a state park in Milton, Mass. On New Year's Day 2018, nearly 55,000 people participated in First Day Hikes, collectively hiking over 133,000 miles throughout the country.

For more information or directions, call Crater of Diamonds State Park at 870-285-3113, or visit http://www.CraterofDiamondsStatePark.com.

Diamond finds for the weeks of Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 (100 points equals 1 carat) included the following:

• Nov. 25 -- Dave Rhodes, New Orleans, 7-point white, 8-point yellow, and 9-point white.

• Nov. 29 -- Dave Rhodes, New Orleans, 18-point white.

• Dec. 1 -- Dan Colby, Conroe, Texas, 1.35-carat white; Derek DeCook, Stewartville, Minn., 22-point white, 25-point white, 28-point white, 31-point white, and 43-point brown; Venus Hill, Murfreesboro, 2-point yellow; Dave Rhodes, New Orleans, 18-point yellow; and William Anketell, Little Rock, 20-point yellow.

• Dec. 4 -- Brian and Venus Hill, Murfreesboro, 9-point white.

• Dec. 6 -- Derek DeCook, Stewartville, Minn., 5-point brown, 10-point yellow, 12-point white, 13-point white, and 30-point white.

• Dec. 7 -- Brent Peterein, Godfrey, Ill., 2-point white, 2-point brown, 3-point white, 6-point white, 7-point white, 8-point white, 44-point brown, and 50-point white.