The city of Wildwood had to reimagine one of its oldest events.
The Cabin Fever Hiking Challenge normally is held the fourth Saturday in February at one trail, but for this year, it has been stretched over three months and three trails because of concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
“COVID-19 has made us a little bit more imaginative,” said Joe Vujnich, the city’s director of planning and parks.
Vujnich said the Cabin Fever Hiking Challenge will offer people the opportunity to explore trails in Wildwood.
“It was one of our first events we ever scheduled after the incorporation,” he said.
The city incorporated on Sept. 1, 1995.
“It (the challenge) took advantage of the trail system that was started by St. Louis County and then, obviously, amplified by the city of Wildwood,” Vujnich said.
He said this will be the 20th or the 21st year for the Cabin Fever Hiking Challenge.
The event typically is held at the Al Foster Memorial Trail, with an event at the trailhead, 225 Grand Ave., where the city offers snacks, hot coffee and water to hikers.
This year, however, hikes are scheduled for three trails.
Vujnich said the event normally attracts more than 200 people.
“We’ve never set a specific distance, so people can walk as far as they want or as little as they want,” he said. “It is kind of a social event more so than, let’s say, an athletic event, and we have people who have come every year.”
New challenge
This year instead of a one-day event, the city is releasing a trail map on the first day of February, March and April.
The February hike has already begun and is at the Al Foster Memorial Trail.
Maps for each of the hikes may be found on the city’s website,
cityofwildwood.com. In addition, a paper copy may be picked up in the lower-level lobby of City Hall, 16860 Main Street.
A yellow sign is posted at the end of each hiking trail, and participants are encouraged to share their photos with the city after completing a hike.
“There’s a little sign at the end of the hike or the trail that basically asks you to take a selfie, and that’s your verification you completed it,” Vujnich said.
If you take a picture with all three hike signs and email the photos to the city, you will receive a
T-shirt. Pictures should be emailed to bree@cityofwildwood.com.
“It’s a short-sleeve shirt because we’ll be in April by that time, so you’ll be able to wear it, hopefully,” Vujnich said. “It just has our logo, and it’s a nice T-shirt.”
Vujnich said 50 people have already turned in photos from February’s hike. Photos may be sent as each hike is completed, or all at once at the end of April.
Besides the yellow sign at the end of the hiking trail, there will be yellow route signs with arrows to help hikers stay on track, but the signs will be removed on or after the 21st of each month.
Vujnich said the hikes increase in difficulty each month. February’s hike is a 2.62-mile round trip and takes about 55 minutes to complete, according to the map.
He said March and April hikes will be kept secret until the first of the month, but March’s hike will be more than 5 miles, and April’s hike will be more than 7 miles.
Interim City Administrator Steve Cross said it’s important to dress warmly and wear good footwear.
“Bring a smile and have a good time; that would be my advice,” he said.
Vujnich advises hikers to have a fully charged cell phone before starting on the trails.
“Not just for safety and security, but also to use your camera. This time of year with the leaves off the trees you can just get some wonderful pictures of terrain, the river, the bluffs and things you can’t see because they’re covered up by leaves during the spring, summer and fall,” he said.
Cross said hikers should expect to see some wildlife.
“You’re going to see a lot of deer and other things on some of these trails because there’s so many people to use the trails, they’re almost domesticated,” he said.