ATLANTA, Texas-If you find yourself living in the woods, you might make like a real wilderness survivor and cop a few tips from Sasquatch.
That's essentially the theme from the Sasquatch Survival Hike on Saturday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to noon at Atlanta State Park. It's one way to work off those turkey pounds from Thanksgiving.
Kelsey Johnson, park interpreter, will lead hikers on a manageable, one-mile hike through the park to discuss survival techniques that a Sasquatch might use to make it in the outback.
"It's a fun-themed hike, and basically what we do is if there was a Sasquatch living at Atlanta State Park, how would he survive?" Johnson said of the overall concept, noting hikers will play a game as they go while she discusses the skills needed and luck it takes. Everyone can play to see if they survive to the end.
"It's meant to be a light-hearted, fun hike that teaches some survival skills," Johnson said.
Core issues to discuss include food, water, shelter and space. That is to say, Johnson will talk about foraging for edible plants, finding clean water, building shelters in the wild and getting the space needed to survive in this habitat.
Hikers meet at the Atlanta State Park's Volksmarch Trailhead.
"It's a fairly easy hike. There's not too much elevation change and it will be about a mile," Johnson said.
The park interpreter recommends people arrive at the park 30 minutes prior to the start time so they can pay the fee and go to the trailhead. The hike starts promptly at 11 a.m.
"Hopefully, it will be a pretty day," Johnson said. The program is weather dependent and will be cancelled if there is inclement weather.
Entrance fees are $3 for adults 13 and older, free for children 12 and under. Dress for the weather, which means layers are recommended, as are closed-toe shoes and water.
(More info: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/atlanta.)