Willamette Week The need for strong, independent local journalism is more urgent than ever. Please support the city we love by joining Friends of Willamette Week. Rangers Will Not Lead Oregon’s First Day Hikes in 2021 Volunteers will also not be present at winter whale-watching sites along the coast. A ranger-led snowshoe at Crater Lake. Photo by Andi Prewitt. Updated December 16, 2020 Ranger-led First Day Hikes are a beloved tradition to start the new year in Oregon, but if you want to keep the practice going in 2021, you'll have to go it alone. The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department announced today that the personnel who would normally guide those rugged walks—providing details about the geology and history of each location along the way—won't be available due to COVID-19.