Five cool, shady hiking trails that you may not know. Plus a challenge to hike even more.
A woods breathes out natural air conditioning that can surprise us, holding the cool of the day under the shade of its leaves and pines. So, as the annual #10Trail Challenge returns from Chikaming Open Lands, let's highlight five of its options that 1) offer wooded shade and 2) are lesser-known local gems.
The challenge runs through the entire month of July with 15 trail options. You could win prizes if you hike at least five, 10 or 15 of them — and if you snap a photo within a framed selfie station at each trail and play in the social media game. The prizes come in gift cards for ice cream, coffee, beer or nibbles at local spots. Instructions and links to each of the trails are at chikamingopenlands.org/10trailchallenge.
The other trails in the challenge, all in southwest Michigan, are Merritt & Younger Family Preserves in Union Pier, Chikaming Township Park and Preserve in Harbert, Chris Thompson Memorial Preserve in Harbert, McCoy Creek Trail in Buchanan, Trillium Ravine Plant Preserve in Niles, Myron Perlman Nature Preserve near Buchanan, Warren Dunes State Park (Floral Lane entrance) in Sawyer, Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Love Creek County Park in Berrien Center and Paw Paw River County Park in Paw Paw.
Note: The #10Trail Challenge website doesn’t give a specific Web link for the Andrews University trails (Facebook page link here in this story online). These are mountain bike trails that allow walking, too. For the trailhead, take the St. Joseph Valley Parkway to the Michigan 139/Old U.S. 31 exit and head east, then take an immediate left onto Campbell Drive, which leads to the dirt parking lot/trailhead.
And now, five shady trails:
Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve
Along four miles of wooded trails, the most stunning life at Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve may be in the small growth and wildlife along the floor of this boreal flatwoods. This woods can turn damp and muddy in spring when pools of life-harboring water appear — pools created over thousands of years in what is known as pit and mound formations. In summer, prepare for mosquitoes (long sleeves, repellant) if there’s been a recent spate of rain.
? Where: 8364 Meer Road, Michigan City. The main parking lot is just north of Tryon Road on the west side of Meer Road.
? Nature ID: If you’re very lucky, you may spy one of 20 species of reptiles and amphibians that live here, including salamanders. But you will see rare club mosses that cover the ground, looking like tiny evergreens that rise just a few inches off of the ground. There are least 39 state-listed plant species and many others that are considered rare in the Chicago region. A variety of mushrooms may appear as the year progresses.
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Black’s Woods Sanctuary
The 0.63-mile trail at Black’s Woods Sanctuary loops through 20 acres of mature oak-hickory, beech maple and white pine trees as a satellite site of Sarett Nature Center. The northern end of the trail draws near steep banks along the Paw Paw River.
? Where: Just west of Coloma. From downtown Coloma, follow Paw Paw Street north, turn left on Jackson Court, then left on Wilson Street and follow it to this preserve (look for it on the right). Park on the roadside because there isn’t a parking lot.
? Nature ID: Watch or listen for barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, ruffed grouse and wood thrush.
Turtle Creek Preserve
About 1.5 miles of trails circle through mature beech-maple forest and seasonal wetlands at Turtle Creek Preserve, along with the creek itself. The forest had grown after a century of farming ceased in 1970.
? Where: Park at New Buffalo Elementary School, 12291 Lubke Road, New Buffalo. The trailhead is a short walk north on the sidewalk.
? Nature ID: Watch and listen for migratory songbirds in spring and fall, as it’s not far from the Lake Michigan flyway.
Sugarwood Forest Preserve
You’ll need to hike along a looping trail around an open prairie (within a half mile) at Sugarwood Forest Preserve in order to reach the woods. There, a beech-maple forest rises above ravines cut by various forks of a stream that’s a tributary to the Galien River. The northern end of the 40-acre preserve features old-growth forest where it borders the similar habitat of Warren Woods State Park.
? Where: 6855 W. Elm Valley Road in Three Oaks. From Three Oaks, go north on Three Oaks Road, then turn left on Elm Valley Road for half a mile. It’ll be on the right.
? Nature ID: See summer wildflowers bloom in the prairie.
Jens Jensen Preserve
The high-quality beech-maple forest at Jens Jensen Preserve boasts tall trees and seasonal wetlands. The trail links directly into the bordering Pepperidge Dunes Sanctuary. Altogether, you can hike about 1.5 miles.
? Where: 6851 Parkway Drive, Sawyer, Mich. Take the Red Arrow Highway just south of the Sawyer Road traffic light and turn right onto Parkway Drive. Park along the road.
? Nature ID: Look for oak, maple, beech and tulip poplar trees. Watch and listen for migratory birds in spring and fall.
Find columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Five shady cool hiking trails are in #10Trail Chikaming challenge
