This is a map of the new 6.7 mile mountain bike trail system at Potato Creek State Park near South Bend in Indiana. The trail is multi-use. Click on the map for a larger view.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Onsted State Game Area: Hike Reports
I originally posted these hike reports for Onsted State Game Area on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group:
01/20/02
I got the hiking bug again today - funny how that happens - and decided to check out a little spot 5 minutes from my house. It's funny, isn't it, how we will drive half a day to get someplace to hike and we forget about what is right underneath our noses? Well, Onsted isn't the world's greatest hiking spot, but I saw 5 or 6 really nice frozen lakes, a set of rapids on the River Raisin and some really nice glacial hills. All in all, not bad. There are no "official" trails, but there are lots of hunting paths and a few dirt roads that I hope to string together for a nice 5 or 6 mile route. And if I can get permission from Sauk Valley - an old ski hill - I'd be able to add more miles and a high point. We'll see.
Anyway, the place is right near MIS. Don't go out of your way to get there, but you could do an Irish Hills hike day, do 5 or 6 miles at Hidden Lake Gardens, 4 or 5 miles at Onsted SGA and a 3 mile lake loop at Somerset SGA. And you could still catch some soup and sandwiches at the Beach Bar on Clark Lake. Anyway, just an idea.
05/10/02
Onsted SGA doesn't really have a legitimate good hike. I was really hoping I could string together a few hunting trails and renegade paths into a good 4 or 5 mile hike - the place is hilly, lake-filled and beautiful - but, unfortunately the only routes I could see were killed by a big swamp and well-used dirt roads. There are a couple of one-milers, though, so if you want to walk the dog...
05/02/03
Okay, here's the deal on Onsted SGA - not Onstead, like the sign says. First, you can find maps on the dnr website. Go todnr.state.mi.us. This will route you to the correct page. Then click on the left side bar that says online maps. Then click on the link "state game and wildlife areas." This will give you a list with a map of Onsted SGA on it.
Here are a couple of spots that I've hiked. If you take Brix south from US-12 to Grassy Lake Rd., turn right, you'll end up at a small parking area with a two track. That two-track shoots back around over some hills and by a lake. Then it connects with a gated seasonal road that would not be a bad little hike. There are three small lakes at the beginning of the road that can be hiked out to, but they are pretty swampy. You'd probably have to hike on GrassyLake to get back to the car. That would probably be a one to two mile loop. Not bad if it's across the street, but a bit short for a real hike.
I have also parked at the boat launch for Deep Lake on Laird Road. If you look across the road from the parking lot (by the mailbox), you'll see a little path into the woods. This goes back maybe .75 miles and then peters out in the woods. When I hiked this, I was looking for a connection around the backside of Grassy Lake to the seasonal road mentioned above. That would have made for a really nice 4 or 5 mile loop. Unfortunately, you have to cross a mud bog type area on old shipping crates to get to an upland region. Then, within view of the seasonal road, you reach impassable swamp. Hike route denied. Bummer.
So, It's worth a little trip. I have my eyes on two areas, though. One is just West of the Brick Walker Tavern. The state park Walker Tavern complex owns land on the south side of US-12. This land extends to lakeshore that I've seen from a small dead end road. The only way to get there would be to hike in. It might make a three mile hike if I'm lucky. I just don't know where to park. I also have been salivating over the Sauk Valley Resort property. I drive by MIS every morning and look at Prospect Hill like it's forbidden fruit. I've even gone out to try to get permission to hike the property, but didn't get much enthusiasm. It used to be an old ski resort and still has lots of the old pathways. There is even a map of it in the first edition Trail Atlases. I might just rent their cabin to hike it.
01/20/02
I got the hiking bug again today - funny how that happens - and decided to check out a little spot 5 minutes from my house. It's funny, isn't it, how we will drive half a day to get someplace to hike and we forget about what is right underneath our noses? Well, Onsted isn't the world's greatest hiking spot, but I saw 5 or 6 really nice frozen lakes, a set of rapids on the River Raisin and some really nice glacial hills. All in all, not bad. There are no "official" trails, but there are lots of hunting paths and a few dirt roads that I hope to string together for a nice 5 or 6 mile route. And if I can get permission from Sauk Valley - an old ski hill - I'd be able to add more miles and a high point. We'll see.
Anyway, the place is right near MIS. Don't go out of your way to get there, but you could do an Irish Hills hike day, do 5 or 6 miles at Hidden Lake Gardens, 4 or 5 miles at Onsted SGA and a 3 mile lake loop at Somerset SGA. And you could still catch some soup and sandwiches at the Beach Bar on Clark Lake. Anyway, just an idea.
05/10/02
Onsted SGA doesn't really have a legitimate good hike. I was really hoping I could string together a few hunting trails and renegade paths into a good 4 or 5 mile hike - the place is hilly, lake-filled and beautiful - but, unfortunately the only routes I could see were killed by a big swamp and well-used dirt roads. There are a couple of one-milers, though, so if you want to walk the dog...
05/02/03
Okay, here's the deal on Onsted SGA - not Onstead, like the sign says. First, you can find maps on the dnr website. Go todnr.state.mi.us. This will route you to the correct page. Then click on the left side bar that says online maps. Then click on the link "state game and wildlife areas." This will give you a list with a map of Onsted SGA on it.
Here are a couple of spots that I've hiked. If you take Brix south from US-12 to Grassy Lake Rd., turn right, you'll end up at a small parking area with a two track. That two-track shoots back around over some hills and by a lake. Then it connects with a gated seasonal road that would not be a bad little hike. There are three small lakes at the beginning of the road that can be hiked out to, but they are pretty swampy. You'd probably have to hike on GrassyLake to get back to the car. That would probably be a one to two mile loop. Not bad if it's across the street, but a bit short for a real hike.
I have also parked at the boat launch for Deep Lake on Laird Road. If you look across the road from the parking lot (by the mailbox), you'll see a little path into the woods. This goes back maybe .75 miles and then peters out in the woods. When I hiked this, I was looking for a connection around the backside of Grassy Lake to the seasonal road mentioned above. That would have made for a really nice 4 or 5 mile loop. Unfortunately, you have to cross a mud bog type area on old shipping crates to get to an upland region. Then, within view of the seasonal road, you reach impassable swamp. Hike route denied. Bummer.
So, It's worth a little trip. I have my eyes on two areas, though. One is just West of the Brick Walker Tavern. The state park Walker Tavern complex owns land on the south side of US-12. This land extends to lakeshore that I've seen from a small dead end road. The only way to get there would be to hike in. It might make a three mile hike if I'm lucky. I just don't know where to park. I also have been salivating over the Sauk Valley Resort property. I drive by MIS every morning and look at Prospect Hill like it's forbidden fruit. I've even gone out to try to get permission to hike the property, but didn't get much enthusiasm. It used to be an old ski resort and still has lots of the old pathways. There is even a map of it in the first edition Trail Atlases. I might just rent their cabin to hike it.
Walpole Island First Nation
Squirrel Island
06/11/3
A few years back, my friend Chris and I decided to have a Saturday afternoon epic adventure and circle Lake St. Clair in his Toyota pickup truck. We quickly passed through the urban stuff, bopped around Harsen's Island - did a bit of not-terribly-appealing hiking there. Then we took the ferry across the St. Clair River at Algonac. This was a pretty cool thing made even more so by the "Walpole Island First Nation - unceded territory" signs put up by the aboriginal peoples who retained control of the area. Now, the good stuff. While we were bumbling around this first nation, we ended up on Squirrel Island. This place had a bunch of very bad two tracks along the very narrow shipping channel. Of course we got stuck. This led to the very surreal experience of being stuck in the mud miles from anyone who could help as thousand foot freighters passed by just yards offshore. We got into the habit of moving our truck a few feet and then stopping to wave madly at the crewmembers on deck. Anyway, we finally threw enough stray material into the muckholes to get the truck moving and off the island. Ever since, however, I've wondered about the hikeability of this place. It seems to have lots of two-tracks that might make for a very interesting lakeshore/shipping channel/first nation hike. Does anyone have experience that might be helpful in this regard? Also, if anyone knows how to access the Lake Ste. Claire National Wildlife Refuge on the Ontario side, I'd appreciate it. We were never able to find this place.
06/11/3
A few years back, my friend Chris and I decided to have a Saturday afternoon epic adventure and circle Lake St. Clair in his Toyota pickup truck. We quickly passed through the urban stuff, bopped around Harsen's Island - did a bit of not-terribly-appealing hiking there. Then we took the ferry across the St. Clair River at Algonac. This was a pretty cool thing made even more so by the "Walpole Island First Nation - unceded territory" signs put up by the aboriginal peoples who retained control of the area. Now, the good stuff. While we were bumbling around this first nation, we ended up on Squirrel Island. This place had a bunch of very bad two tracks along the very narrow shipping channel. Of course we got stuck. This led to the very surreal experience of being stuck in the mud miles from anyone who could help as thousand foot freighters passed by just yards offshore. We got into the habit of moving our truck a few feet and then stopping to wave madly at the crewmembers on deck. Anyway, we finally threw enough stray material into the muckholes to get the truck moving and off the island. Ever since, however, I've wondered about the hikeability of this place. It seems to have lots of two-tracks that might make for a very interesting lakeshore/shipping channel/first nation hike. Does anyone have experience that might be helpful in this regard? Also, if anyone knows how to access the Lake Ste. Claire National Wildlife Refuge on the Ontario side, I'd appreciate it. We were never able to find this place.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Falling Waters Trail: Notes
I originally posted these hike notes on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group:
Falling Waters
05/15/02
I had a couple of hours tonight and decided to scout the Falling Waters Trail out of Jackson. It's an old rail bed, but I think it just might make a great hike. It goes through some pretty wild area with lots of lakes, streams and marshes. There is a small section that is paved in the city of Jackson, but once it heads into thecountryside, the trail turns to single and double track. I'm not sure if there are any bridges out, but it seemed passable to Homer -with a small break in Concord. I'm not quite sure how much is publicly owned beyond that, but the railbed goes to at least ThreeRivers. So, it's at least 25 miles long, maybe 50. Anyway, I'm going to start hiking it.
05/16/02
Okay, so when's a trail not a trail?
Answer: Falling Waters Trail
I decided to call around to get more info. on this thing and apparently, it still is in private ownership. I talked to the guy who is spearheading the place. He's spent about 10 years trying to get the state to buy it. Apparently, the county and cities support it and some sections near Jackson are public.
The funny thing is that he told me he grew up hiking the trail and earned his Boy Scout hiking badge on trips on the thing. And from the looks of it, it's probably the most used non-trail in the state of Michigan. In fact, it's the only non-trail I know of that has a real name as cool as "Falling Waters." This guy even gave me suggestions on good sections to hike.
But, I guess the next time I stop in one of the trail parking lots, I'll just have to ignore the thing.
07/06/03
Also, the MMBA website had a post with a DNR purchase plan for 108 acres of the "Falling Waters Trail" in Jackson County. This is an old railbed in Concord, Spring Arbor and Summit Townships. If you follow the Lakelands Trail or Waterloo-Pinckney to Jackson Prison, you are not far from the Jackson city trails. These use the Falling Waters railbed. The western end of this purchase takes the hiker almost to Homer and close proximity to the eventual path of the NCT.
I've hiked many of the paths that lie on this route and a hiking route from Lake Erie to Lake Michigan doesn't seem too outlandish.
09/25/03
I was reading the Natural Resources Commission minutes for July and I came across the discussion and vote to purchase the Falling Waters Trail in Jackson County. The purchase covers about 9 miles SW of Jackson. This is an old railbed that reaches almost to Homer. This is good news and means that there are only a few short missing sections to a trail that connects the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail to the North Country Trail route.
BTW, in terms of railtrails, the Falling Waters Trail is really nice. There is one section that bisects a lake with water on both sides. And it also follows a river for a nice stretch.
10/06/03
I got on my bike today and biked about 5 miles of the Jackson Intercity Trail and Falling Waters Trail. I did most of the paved portion through town and a bit of the dirt pathway that starts at Weatherwax Drive and heads west.
Trail conditions west of Weatherwax are unimproved, which makes hiking the preferred mode of transportation. The vegetation is very nice, even on the paved city portions.
I ran into a nice older couple and the man said he'd been running that trail for 20 years. That's the funny thing. I've never seen atrail that has gotten so much use without being public. The thing had a name, an advocacy group and many users while it was still private land. Now, the state - I believe - only bought the line to Concord. This man said that another line branched to the south - on maps it heads to Hanover and Horton. He said he'd run it regularly for years.
The paved trail also veers south along Weatherwax into populated areas. I'm not sure how far that section of trails goes. Also, I'm curious if the informal use of the trail extends past the purchase along the line into Homer. If it does, there might well be a useable connection to the NCT route right now.
Finally, the trail basically connects to Ella Sharp Park - the site of 10 to 15 miles of disjointed dirt trail.
07/20/04
Also, the Jackson County Parks Department will soon take possession of the Falling Waters Trail from the MDNR, making an 18 mile trail across Jackson County a fairly imminent possibility.
8/12/4
I would advise anyone to read the "State Land Rules" on the following website. It covers all state land that is NOT a state park or recreation area. It opens some additional camping possibilities that might help with a backpack. For instance, sections of the Lakelands Trail and, I believe Falling Waters Trail are state owned but not designated "state park." This likely means that there are some sections of the corridor in which it is legal to camp.
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370-31657--,00.html
Falling Waters
05/15/02
I had a couple of hours tonight and decided to scout the Falling Waters Trail out of Jackson. It's an old rail bed, but I think it just might make a great hike. It goes through some pretty wild area with lots of lakes, streams and marshes. There is a small section that is paved in the city of Jackson, but once it heads into thecountryside, the trail turns to single and double track. I'm not sure if there are any bridges out, but it seemed passable to Homer -with a small break in Concord. I'm not quite sure how much is publicly owned beyond that, but the railbed goes to at least ThreeRivers. So, it's at least 25 miles long, maybe 50. Anyway, I'm going to start hiking it.
05/16/02
Okay, so when's a trail not a trail?
Answer: Falling Waters Trail
I decided to call around to get more info. on this thing and apparently, it still is in private ownership. I talked to the guy who is spearheading the place. He's spent about 10 years trying to get the state to buy it. Apparently, the county and cities support it and some sections near Jackson are public.
The funny thing is that he told me he grew up hiking the trail and earned his Boy Scout hiking badge on trips on the thing. And from the looks of it, it's probably the most used non-trail in the state of Michigan. In fact, it's the only non-trail I know of that has a real name as cool as "Falling Waters." This guy even gave me suggestions on good sections to hike.
But, I guess the next time I stop in one of the trail parking lots, I'll just have to ignore the thing.
07/06/03
Also, the MMBA website had a post with a DNR purchase plan for 108 acres of the "Falling Waters Trail" in Jackson County. This is an old railbed in Concord, Spring Arbor and Summit Townships. If you follow the Lakelands Trail or Waterloo-Pinckney to Jackson Prison, you are not far from the Jackson city trails. These use the Falling Waters railbed. The western end of this purchase takes the hiker almost to Homer and close proximity to the eventual path of the NCT.
I've hiked many of the paths that lie on this route and a hiking route from Lake Erie to Lake Michigan doesn't seem too outlandish.
09/25/03
I was reading the Natural Resources Commission minutes for July and I came across the discussion and vote to purchase the Falling Waters Trail in Jackson County. The purchase covers about 9 miles SW of Jackson. This is an old railbed that reaches almost to Homer. This is good news and means that there are only a few short missing sections to a trail that connects the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail to the North Country Trail route.
BTW, in terms of railtrails, the Falling Waters Trail is really nice. There is one section that bisects a lake with water on both sides. And it also follows a river for a nice stretch.
10/06/03
I got on my bike today and biked about 5 miles of the Jackson Intercity Trail and Falling Waters Trail. I did most of the paved portion through town and a bit of the dirt pathway that starts at Weatherwax Drive and heads west.
Trail conditions west of Weatherwax are unimproved, which makes hiking the preferred mode of transportation. The vegetation is very nice, even on the paved city portions.
I ran into a nice older couple and the man said he'd been running that trail for 20 years. That's the funny thing. I've never seen atrail that has gotten so much use without being public. The thing had a name, an advocacy group and many users while it was still private land. Now, the state - I believe - only bought the line to Concord. This man said that another line branched to the south - on maps it heads to Hanover and Horton. He said he'd run it regularly for years.
The paved trail also veers south along Weatherwax into populated areas. I'm not sure how far that section of trails goes. Also, I'm curious if the informal use of the trail extends past the purchase along the line into Homer. If it does, there might well be a useable connection to the NCT route right now.
Finally, the trail basically connects to Ella Sharp Park - the site of 10 to 15 miles of disjointed dirt trail.
07/20/04
Also, the Jackson County Parks Department will soon take possession of the Falling Waters Trail from the MDNR, making an 18 mile trail across Jackson County a fairly imminent possibility.
8/12/4
I would advise anyone to read the "State Land Rules" on the following website. It covers all state land that is NOT a state park or recreation area. It opens some additional camping possibilities that might help with a backpack. For instance, sections of the Lakelands Trail and, I believe Falling Waters Trail are state owned but not designated "state park." This likely means that there are some sections of the corridor in which it is legal to camp.
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370-31657--,00.html
Erie Marsh Preserve Notes
I originally posted these hike reports on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group:
Erie Marsh
01/19/01
Monroe County: Erie Marsh Preserve/Erie State Game Area.
The Woodtick Peninsula in the game area is a 4 mile hike each way. It involves wading in the shallows and ends at an island at North Cape. And campable from Oct. 1 to April 1. And if the state ever got its act together, the peninsula could connect to about 8 or 10 miles of dike in the Nature Conservancy's Erie Marsh and about 2 or 3 miles of dike in Luna Pier. You could hike for 20+ miles with a little effort. Also, two or three more bald eagles nests. Honorable mention: Lighthouse/freighter hike at Pointe Mouillee SGA (10 or 12miles).
01/28/01
Monroe: Erie Marsh/SGA:
Take I-75 to the Erie Rd. exit just a few miles North of the Ohio border. Go East until this road dead ends in a parking lot in sight of a power plant. Hike East until you hit Lake Erie. Begin hiking south to the end of the peninsula. [Note: I was out there this weekend, and winter ice forms a natural bridge into the preserve, allowing for a 10+ mile one-way hike.]
02/04/02
Well, it was a nice day on Sunday, and since I had no power back home, I decided to hike the Erie Marsh south of Monroe. I ended up doing about 10 miles or so, although you could increase the mileage a bit.
The place is owned by the Nature Conservancy and managed by the Erie Shooting Club. So, I'm often greeted by members of the shooting club when I stop in. They are a little protective of the place, but can give good tips on dike conditions. The place is one big diked marsh. So, the wildlife is incredibly diverse. I was constantly being buzzed by hawks and you can see bald eagle nests in some spots. The view of Lake Erie is mostly obscured by the Woodtick Peninsula - the only backpackable Great Lakes shoreline in MetroDetroit - but you can see the lake about halfway through the long loop. You also get good views of inland bays, open pools and creeks. Indian Island is also in the bay - it's the site of an old native American settlement and has been the focus of occasional archaeological research. The Toledo Harbor Light can also be seen.
You really have to pick your spots when hiking here. 20% of the trail I hiked was a big mud pit. It dries out in summer. But that's when the bugs are fierce. This is probably the buggiest place I've ever been in the summer. Once you hit March, you also start hitting endangered species closures.
You can find good maps in the Trail Atlas of Michigan and on the DNR website (Erie State Game Area).
Drawbacks include freeway noise and occasional power plant views. But, it's a nice long hike with lots and lots of wildlife in a place where you will almost certainly see no other hikers.
Erie Marsh
01/19/01
Monroe County: Erie Marsh Preserve/Erie State Game Area.
The Woodtick Peninsula in the game area is a 4 mile hike each way. It involves wading in the shallows and ends at an island at North Cape. And campable from Oct. 1 to April 1. And if the state ever got its act together, the peninsula could connect to about 8 or 10 miles of dike in the Nature Conservancy's Erie Marsh and about 2 or 3 miles of dike in Luna Pier. You could hike for 20+ miles with a little effort. Also, two or three more bald eagles nests. Honorable mention: Lighthouse/freighter hike at Pointe Mouillee SGA (10 or 12miles).
01/28/01
Monroe: Erie Marsh/SGA:
Take I-75 to the Erie Rd. exit just a few miles North of the Ohio border. Go East until this road dead ends in a parking lot in sight of a power plant. Hike East until you hit Lake Erie. Begin hiking south to the end of the peninsula. [Note: I was out there this weekend, and winter ice forms a natural bridge into the preserve, allowing for a 10+ mile one-way hike.]
02/04/02
Well, it was a nice day on Sunday, and since I had no power back home, I decided to hike the Erie Marsh south of Monroe. I ended up doing about 10 miles or so, although you could increase the mileage a bit.
The place is owned by the Nature Conservancy and managed by the Erie Shooting Club. So, I'm often greeted by members of the shooting club when I stop in. They are a little protective of the place, but can give good tips on dike conditions. The place is one big diked marsh. So, the wildlife is incredibly diverse. I was constantly being buzzed by hawks and you can see bald eagle nests in some spots. The view of Lake Erie is mostly obscured by the Woodtick Peninsula - the only backpackable Great Lakes shoreline in MetroDetroit - but you can see the lake about halfway through the long loop. You also get good views of inland bays, open pools and creeks. Indian Island is also in the bay - it's the site of an old native American settlement and has been the focus of occasional archaeological research. The Toledo Harbor Light can also be seen.
You really have to pick your spots when hiking here. 20% of the trail I hiked was a big mud pit. It dries out in summer. But that's when the bugs are fierce. This is probably the buggiest place I've ever been in the summer. Once you hit March, you also start hitting endangered species closures.
You can find good maps in the Trail Atlas of Michigan and on the DNR website (Erie State Game Area).
Drawbacks include freeway noise and occasional power plant views. But, it's a nice long hike with lots and lots of wildlife in a place where you will almost certainly see no other hikers.
East Sandusky Bay Preserve
This post first appeared on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Forum:
East Sandusky Bay
01/06/04
The proposed East Sandusky Bay Preserve has expanded by 14 acres. Within the last year, over a thousand acres of land on Lake Erie have been purchased for hiking trails and nature study. This preserve is located a bit east of (Big) Cedar Point.
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040105/NEWS17/40105003
Additional Links:
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=13023&folder_id=251
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=11064&folder_id=251
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art10093.html
http://www.eriemetroparks.org/Whats%20Happening/Master%20Plans/ESB%20Master%20Plans.htm
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/010604_great_lakes.htm
East Sandusky Bay
01/06/04
The proposed East Sandusky Bay Preserve has expanded by 14 acres. Within the last year, over a thousand acres of land on Lake Erie have been purchased for hiking trails and nature study. This preserve is located a bit east of (Big) Cedar Point.
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040105/NEWS17/40105003
Additional Links:
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=13023&folder_id=251
http://www.tpl.org/tier3_cd.cfm?content_item_id=11064&folder_id=251
http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/ohio/preserves/art10093.html
http://www.eriemetroparks.org/Whats%20Happening/Master%20Plans/ESB%20Master%20Plans.htm
http://www.greatlakesdirectory.org/oh/010604_great_lakes.htm
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Blue Creek Conservation Area
The Blue Creek Conservation Area in Whitehouse, OH is a 577 acre site that was once the location of the Toledo House of Corrections - a prison farm. The property is being redeveloped as a Toledo Metropark highlighting both Toledo's farming heritage and the natural values that are present in the land. The park is currently under development and only open during special events.
I have found several references to this location on a few web sites. Here they are:
Toledo.com:
The Blue Creek Conservation Area in Whitehouse is the site of the former Toledo House of Corrections. Metropark is partnering with the Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District and Nature's Nursery to use the site as a center for nature, agriculture and wildlife education and restoration. An adjacent property, known as the Nona France Recreation Area, recently became park of Metroparks and will continue to be used for active recreation under an agreement with the local jurisdiction.
From the official Metoparks web site:
In the next 10 years, the park district plans to open the Fallen Timbers Battlefield in Maumee; the Blue Creek Conservation Area in Whitehouse; the 300-acre addition to Pearson; a 28-acre park on the Maumee River in downtown Toledo known as the Middlegrounds; and a greenway with an all-purpose trail from Secor to Oak Openings Preserve Metroparks.
I posted this entry on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group when I first learned of Blue Creek:
Whitehouse Metropark
04/20/04
I've never heard of this place before, but the Toledo Metroparks are apparently creating a new 577 acre Metropark near Whitehouse on the site of the old Toledo Workhouse. From what I've read, there is a creek that extends through the property, there is oak savanna habitat and glacial grooves.
It's kind of neat to think about what is happening around Toledo in terms of parks. This site is close to Oak Openings Metropark, the Wabash-Cannonball Railtrail, a series of canal parks and other planned canal trails. You can really see something nice coming together there. And for you NCT lovers, the trail goes right on through.
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?ID=/20040419/NEWS17/404190377
This is the official Metroparks Blue Creek Conservation Area Page:
http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/bluecreek/
I have found several references to this location on a few web sites. Here they are:
Toledo.com:
The Blue Creek Conservation Area in Whitehouse is the site of the former Toledo House of Corrections. Metropark is partnering with the Lucas Soil and Water Conservation District and Nature's Nursery to use the site as a center for nature, agriculture and wildlife education and restoration. An adjacent property, known as the Nona France Recreation Area, recently became park of Metroparks and will continue to be used for active recreation under an agreement with the local jurisdiction.
From the official Metoparks web site:
In the next 10 years, the park district plans to open the Fallen Timbers Battlefield in Maumee; the Blue Creek Conservation Area in Whitehouse; the 300-acre addition to Pearson; a 28-acre park on the Maumee River in downtown Toledo known as the Middlegrounds; and a greenway with an all-purpose trail from Secor to Oak Openings Preserve Metroparks.
I posted this entry on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group when I first learned of Blue Creek:
Whitehouse Metropark
04/20/04
I've never heard of this place before, but the Toledo Metroparks are apparently creating a new 577 acre Metropark near Whitehouse on the site of the old Toledo Workhouse. From what I've read, there is a creek that extends through the property, there is oak savanna habitat and glacial grooves.
It's kind of neat to think about what is happening around Toledo in terms of parks. This site is close to Oak Openings Metropark, the Wabash-Cannonball Railtrail, a series of canal parks and other planned canal trails. You can really see something nice coming together there. And for you NCT lovers, the trail goes right on through.
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?ID=/20040419/NEWS17/404190377
This is the official Metroparks Blue Creek Conservation Area Page:
http://www.metroparkstoledo.com/metroparks/bluecreek/
Whitehouse Nature Center - Albion College
The Whitehouse Nature Center on the campus of Albion College is a perfect example of the kind of hiking that is present almost anywhere in southeast and mid-Michigan. The center property is 144 acres in size and contains a variety of environments along the Kalamazoo River. The hiking is not incredible, but it's not bad, either. And there are five or six miles of trail. That's enough for a nice two hour hike.
Here is a hike report that I originally wrote on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group:
Whitehouse Nature Center
05/25/02
I got out before the storms this morning for an approximately 5 mile loop hike in Albion. The
Whitehouse Center is owned by Albion College and is about 200 acres in size. There are about 5 miles of trail although there are a few small unofficial spurs. Highlights of hiking here include the Kalamazoo River and a small stream. A well-constructed pedestrian bridge over the Kalamazoo is also very pleasant. The trails are easy to hike. Some are grass. Some are dirt. Some pass through old fields. Others skim the river's edge. This is a good place for kids. And it's also a good spot if there is a threat of bad weather and you don't want to get too far off the beaten path. The nature center is also very nice - I almost walked in on a seminar. The trailhead is just to the east of the Albion College football field. Info. can be found in the Trail Atlas of Michigan and the MI Watchable Wildlife Viewing Guide. I'd recommend this place to those within an hour of Albion.
Map:
http://www.albion.edu/naturecenter/map.asp
Trail Guide:
http://www.albion.edu/naturecenter/trails.asp
MI Watchable Wildlife Viewing Guide Entry:
http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/wildlife/viewingguide/slp/98Whitehouse/index.htm
Directions to Center:
http://www.albion.edu/naturecenter/location.asp
Here is a hike report that I originally wrote on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group:
Whitehouse Nature Center
05/25/02
I got out before the storms this morning for an approximately 5 mile loop hike in Albion. The
Whitehouse Center is owned by Albion College and is about 200 acres in size. There are about 5 miles of trail although there are a few small unofficial spurs. Highlights of hiking here include the Kalamazoo River and a small stream. A well-constructed pedestrian bridge over the Kalamazoo is also very pleasant. The trails are easy to hike. Some are grass. Some are dirt. Some pass through old fields. Others skim the river's edge. This is a good place for kids. And it's also a good spot if there is a threat of bad weather and you don't want to get too far off the beaten path. The nature center is also very nice - I almost walked in on a seminar. The trailhead is just to the east of the Albion College football field. Info. can be found in the Trail Atlas of Michigan and the MI Watchable Wildlife Viewing Guide. I'd recommend this place to those within an hour of Albion.
Map:
http://www.albion.edu/naturecenter/map.asp
Trail Guide:
http://www.albion.edu/naturecenter/trails.asp
MI Watchable Wildlife Viewing Guide Entry:
http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/wildlife/viewingguide/slp/98Whitehouse/index.htm
Directions to Center:
http://www.albion.edu/naturecenter/location.asp
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Notes
The following notes were originally posted on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group:
Detroit IWR
07/10/02
Hey guys!
The posts on the two articles about Sleeping Bear, etc. got methinking again about the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The Fish and Wildlife Service is taking public comment for the first refuge management plan. The refuge currently starts at Zug Island and stretches to the mouth of the River Raisin at Sterling SP in Monroe. Future plans call for the refuge to extend to Sandusky. And the Canadians are working on a similar extention along the DetroitRiver/Lake Erie coast - possibly to Pointe Pelee.
This is one of those long term kind of projects. The FWS is more in coordination on this until it can purchase more shoreline. However,the possible boundaries include Pointe Mouillee SGA, Sterling SP, Erie Marsh Preserve/SGA, West Sister Island Wilderness, Middle Sister Island Provincial Park, Point Pelee NP, Ottawa NWR, Little Cedar Point NWR, Maumee Bay SP and bunches of smaller areas. It's the kind of place that might eventually be really natural again. Lots of it is marshy and old industrial area that is not really all that built up.
Anyway, I went to their public comment session in Monroe recently to ask about trails and they seemed very positive. Of course, it's early. Comments can be made to the Shiawassee NWR office in Saginaw.
07/10/02
Re: Detroit River IWR
Oh, I know. Zug Island is a tough place. Another way to look at it is that the lower Rouge won WWII for America. There was no comparable hub for industry like it in America. And it still is a pretty powerful industrial area. Of course, lots was sacrificed for that.
Still, in terms of ecological diversity, you'd be hard pressed to find a place more valuable than western Lake Erie and the lower Detroit River. It's amazing what is out there. If you'd like to hike out there sometime, I'll take people on tours. I'll bet there are more species of animals/fish/birds/plants in that area than any other section of the state. And those fences keep people away -leaving some habitat undisturbed.
And, Michigan had no trees a hundred years ago. Things can get better with effort.
05/28/03
There was a good article in the Toledo Blade today about the expanded Detroit River IWR and Ottawa NWR complex in the Lake Erie West region. There is a cool map which shows the
project boundaries. This is my home hiking turf. I've spent countless hours on the trails in this complex and just love the fact that the area is expanding. I was at one of the original brainstorming meetings and find it pretty neat to see some of the plans already coming to fruition.
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030528/NEWS06/105280040
07/06/03
Hello!
The Toledo Blade had a small article about 150 acres that will soon be purchased for the Detroit River Int. Wildlife Refuge near Estral Beach. Add this to the 200+ acres that have recently been transferred to the refuge in the same area and the thousands of acres in the Pointe Mouillee SGA. It's going to be interesting to see this corridor develop. Perhaps it might eventually connect to the Pointe Aux Peaux State Game Area and Sterling State Park.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030705/NEWS06/107050105/-1/ARCHIVES30
07/08/03
The Michigan Seagrant is a partnership between MSU and U of M that promotes the Great Lakes. They have a website that shows the Greenway projects currently in the works for the Detroit River.
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/greenways/map.html
09/27/03
Hi guys!
The DRIWR has been expanded by 600 acres. Detroit Edison is turning over 600 acres at Fermi II for wildlife management in the refuge tothe FWS. I'm interested to see what the specifics of this are. Is Detroit Edison donating the land? It doesn't sound like it. Will there be public access? Considering the several times I've tried to visit the Michigan Nature Association Lotus Preserve at the site and been turned away by the guards, I'd doubt it. I do know that the Boy Scouts were working on hiking trails on this land before 911.
So, this could be very good news or not much at all.
Mike
http://www.monroenews.com/articles/2003/09/26/news/news03.txt
09/30/03
The Trust for Public land has taken title to the 400 acre Humbug Marsh - the last undeveloped mile of the Detroit River shoreline. It will become part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. Hooray!
Also, some follow-up on the Fermi property. Apparently, DTE Energy donated the 600 acres around Fermi to the DRIWR. It will not be open to public access in the current security climate.
01/09/04
The City of Monroe planning documents, however, do include plans for trails on the old interurban tracks between Toledo and Detroit. Also, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is off to a fast start. There are many miles of trail along the shore that are unconnected. With a good overall plan, these could be connected for a really nice shoreline route. I could see that happening in the next 20 years.
Detroit IWR
07/10/02
Hey guys!
The posts on the two articles about Sleeping Bear, etc. got methinking again about the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The Fish and Wildlife Service is taking public comment for the first refuge management plan. The refuge currently starts at Zug Island and stretches to the mouth of the River Raisin at Sterling SP in Monroe. Future plans call for the refuge to extend to Sandusky. And the Canadians are working on a similar extention along the DetroitRiver/Lake Erie coast - possibly to Pointe Pelee.
This is one of those long term kind of projects. The FWS is more in coordination on this until it can purchase more shoreline. However,the possible boundaries include Pointe Mouillee SGA, Sterling SP, Erie Marsh Preserve/SGA, West Sister Island Wilderness, Middle Sister Island Provincial Park, Point Pelee NP, Ottawa NWR, Little Cedar Point NWR, Maumee Bay SP and bunches of smaller areas. It's the kind of place that might eventually be really natural again. Lots of it is marshy and old industrial area that is not really all that built up.
Anyway, I went to their public comment session in Monroe recently to ask about trails and they seemed very positive. Of course, it's early. Comments can be made to the Shiawassee NWR office in Saginaw.
07/10/02
Re: Detroit River IWR
Oh, I know. Zug Island is a tough place. Another way to look at it is that the lower Rouge won WWII for America. There was no comparable hub for industry like it in America. And it still is a pretty powerful industrial area. Of course, lots was sacrificed for that.
Still, in terms of ecological diversity, you'd be hard pressed to find a place more valuable than western Lake Erie and the lower Detroit River. It's amazing what is out there. If you'd like to hike out there sometime, I'll take people on tours. I'll bet there are more species of animals/fish/birds/plants in that area than any other section of the state. And those fences keep people away -leaving some habitat undisturbed.
And, Michigan had no trees a hundred years ago. Things can get better with effort.
05/28/03
There was a good article in the Toledo Blade today about the expanded Detroit River IWR and Ottawa NWR complex in the Lake Erie West region. There is a cool map which shows the
project boundaries. This is my home hiking turf. I've spent countless hours on the trails in this complex and just love the fact that the area is expanding. I was at one of the original brainstorming meetings and find it pretty neat to see some of the plans already coming to fruition.
www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030528/NEWS06/105280040
07/06/03
Hello!
The Toledo Blade had a small article about 150 acres that will soon be purchased for the Detroit River Int. Wildlife Refuge near Estral Beach. Add this to the 200+ acres that have recently been transferred to the refuge in the same area and the thousands of acres in the Pointe Mouillee SGA. It's going to be interesting to see this corridor develop. Perhaps it might eventually connect to the Pointe Aux Peaux State Game Area and Sterling State Park.
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20030705/NEWS06/107050105/-1/ARCHIVES30
07/08/03
The Michigan Seagrant is a partnership between MSU and U of M that promotes the Great Lakes. They have a website that shows the Greenway projects currently in the works for the Detroit River.
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/greenways/map.html
09/27/03
Hi guys!
The DRIWR has been expanded by 600 acres. Detroit Edison is turning over 600 acres at Fermi II for wildlife management in the refuge tothe FWS. I'm interested to see what the specifics of this are. Is Detroit Edison donating the land? It doesn't sound like it. Will there be public access? Considering the several times I've tried to visit the Michigan Nature Association Lotus Preserve at the site and been turned away by the guards, I'd doubt it. I do know that the Boy Scouts were working on hiking trails on this land before 911.
So, this could be very good news or not much at all.
Mike
http://www.monroenews.com/articles/2003/09/26/news/news03.txt
09/30/03
The Trust for Public land has taken title to the 400 acre Humbug Marsh - the last undeveloped mile of the Detroit River shoreline. It will become part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. Hooray!
Also, some follow-up on the Fermi property. Apparently, DTE Energy donated the 600 acres around Fermi to the DRIWR. It will not be open to public access in the current security climate.
01/09/04
The City of Monroe planning documents, however, do include plans for trails on the old interurban tracks between Toledo and Detroit. Also, the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is off to a fast start. There are many miles of trail along the shore that are unconnected. With a good overall plan, these could be connected for a really nice shoreline route. I could see that happening in the next 20 years.
Crosswinds Marsh Hike Reports
The following reports were originally posted on the Great Lakes Hikes Yahoo Group.
01/19/01
Wayne County: Crosswinds Marsh. 5 to 10 miles of trail. This place is a reconstructed marsh - to replace the marsh destroyed at MetroAirport. And it is really cool. There's a bald eagle's nest and lots of birds. And some easy canoeing. And a hill is rising right next door at the landfill that is accepting Toronto's trash and sewer sludge. My hope is that there is a plan to eventually incorporate it into the park as a scenic overlook or ski hill.
Jan. 21, 2001
A few more comments on the Toronto trash issue...
My understanding of the issue is that Canadian trash is considered international commerce under NAFTA. Even if the state wanted to stopit, they would probably get sued - and I'd imagine lose.
The issue does have another side. I believe that Michigan and other states send hazardous waste to Ontario in large volumes. Ontario can't really stop that from happening either. So, if we make them keep their trash, they are libel to make us keep our biohazards.
This dump has been there even before this deal was signed. The lack of Toronto's garbage wouldn't really make any difference at the site.
My big concern is what happens afterwards. There are a lot of quarries and dumps in my area that just get fenced off and left. But these places can be put to public use if designed right. If these places are held to high environmental standards and later become large public spaces, I think everybody wins. And in a very flat section of Michigan, a big hill with a scenic overlook on top would be a very nice addition to a park.
BTW, the local government has been very supportive of the dump. It provides jobs and tax money in an overlooked, rural part of WayneCounty.
Complexity reigns.
07/22/01
Well, after hiking in Ohio, I headed back to Monroe for a wedding reception. Afterwards, I found out I had a little more time on my hands and decided to do a little more hiking - this time at Crosswinds Marsh.
Crosswinds Marsh is a Wayne County Marsh Interpretive Preserve. It is restored marsh, created to replace wetlands destroyed for the new terminal at Metro Airport. You can get there by taking I-275 to Will Carleton (South of Detroit near the town of Waltz). Head west on Will Carleton, past the dump to Haggerty. Turn Right and you are there.
While this is not at all a strenuous hike, it is an interesting place. There is a lot of open water - enough for a 2 mile canoe trail. There is a 4.5 mile horse loop around the perimeter of the preserve that is essentially a gravel road with one water crossing. You could hike this if you wanted.
There are also 6 or 7 miles of hiking trail. These range from dirt to gravel to boardwalk. The trails pass through cattail marsh, wooded swamp areas, open water and open meadows. You can see muskrats, fish, geese and a bald eagle's nest on the south end of the park.
This area is great for kids and a nice respite from a populated area. While I was hiking, I saw 3 or 4 kids fishing and a few couples. I also ran into a group of young people who were badly in need of bug spray. I gladly helped them out.
When combined with Pointe Mouillee SGA and Lower Huron, Oakwoods, Willow and Lake Erie Metroparks, Crosswinds Marsh helps make the Downriver area a great way to get out there in an urban setting.
01/08/03
Re: Fw: E-M:/ Granholm says no to Toronto Trash
I'll bet Granholm plays this issue up big - because it doesn't require much expenditure from the state budget. If she talks tough or even changes the situation, she'll get political mileage for free.
I know this dump well. I hike occasionally at the Crosswinds Marsh that borders the place. There is a bald eagle's nest right there.
A few things to consider: Sumpter Township gets some ungodly percentage of its annual revenue from the tipping fees on the garbage. I believe it's something like 80%. This is a rural, but growing area, with lots of parkland in the Metroparks, etc. I'll assume that if the garbage doesn't flow, they'll have to find other ways to fill the township treasury - like maybe a big old development on some farmland. Or, maybe they'll just lay off the police.
But, the dump is there. It won't close if Toronto stops shipping. Garbage will come from Ohio or New York instead. So: spend lots ofenergy stopping the garbage for zero gain to local residents. Why not lobby for a new a natural area instead?
But I do find it difficult to think that some hardscrabble northern Ontario town couldn't make use of all the money that is generated by growth in the waste management industry:)
03/15/03
I have three suggestions. Crosswinds Marsh is a restored marsh on Haggerty Rd. in extreme southern Wayne County. Take I-275 to Will-Carleton (I think) and head west. Once you zoom past a landfill, the park is on the right. It's nice and would be interesting at this time of year. Crosswinds is a Wayne County Park and offers 6 to 10 miles of trail.
01/19/01
Wayne County: Crosswinds Marsh. 5 to 10 miles of trail. This place is a reconstructed marsh - to replace the marsh destroyed at MetroAirport. And it is really cool. There's a bald eagle's nest and lots of birds. And some easy canoeing. And a hill is rising right next door at the landfill that is accepting Toronto's trash and sewer sludge. My hope is that there is a plan to eventually incorporate it into the park as a scenic overlook or ski hill.
Jan. 21, 2001
A few more comments on the Toronto trash issue...
My understanding of the issue is that Canadian trash is considered international commerce under NAFTA. Even if the state wanted to stopit, they would probably get sued - and I'd imagine lose.
The issue does have another side. I believe that Michigan and other states send hazardous waste to Ontario in large volumes. Ontario can't really stop that from happening either. So, if we make them keep their trash, they are libel to make us keep our biohazards.
This dump has been there even before this deal was signed. The lack of Toronto's garbage wouldn't really make any difference at the site.
My big concern is what happens afterwards. There are a lot of quarries and dumps in my area that just get fenced off and left. But these places can be put to public use if designed right. If these places are held to high environmental standards and later become large public spaces, I think everybody wins. And in a very flat section of Michigan, a big hill with a scenic overlook on top would be a very nice addition to a park.
BTW, the local government has been very supportive of the dump. It provides jobs and tax money in an overlooked, rural part of WayneCounty.
Complexity reigns.
07/22/01
Well, after hiking in Ohio, I headed back to Monroe for a wedding reception. Afterwards, I found out I had a little more time on my hands and decided to do a little more hiking - this time at Crosswinds Marsh.
Crosswinds Marsh is a Wayne County Marsh Interpretive Preserve. It is restored marsh, created to replace wetlands destroyed for the new terminal at Metro Airport. You can get there by taking I-275 to Will Carleton (South of Detroit near the town of Waltz). Head west on Will Carleton, past the dump to Haggerty. Turn Right and you are there.
While this is not at all a strenuous hike, it is an interesting place. There is a lot of open water - enough for a 2 mile canoe trail. There is a 4.5 mile horse loop around the perimeter of the preserve that is essentially a gravel road with one water crossing. You could hike this if you wanted.
There are also 6 or 7 miles of hiking trail. These range from dirt to gravel to boardwalk. The trails pass through cattail marsh, wooded swamp areas, open water and open meadows. You can see muskrats, fish, geese and a bald eagle's nest on the south end of the park.
This area is great for kids and a nice respite from a populated area. While I was hiking, I saw 3 or 4 kids fishing and a few couples. I also ran into a group of young people who were badly in need of bug spray. I gladly helped them out.
When combined with Pointe Mouillee SGA and Lower Huron, Oakwoods, Willow and Lake Erie Metroparks, Crosswinds Marsh helps make the Downriver area a great way to get out there in an urban setting.
01/08/03
Re: Fw: E-M:/ Granholm says no to Toronto Trash
I'll bet Granholm plays this issue up big - because it doesn't require much expenditure from the state budget. If she talks tough or even changes the situation, she'll get political mileage for free.
I know this dump well. I hike occasionally at the Crosswinds Marsh that borders the place. There is a bald eagle's nest right there.
A few things to consider: Sumpter Township gets some ungodly percentage of its annual revenue from the tipping fees on the garbage. I believe it's something like 80%. This is a rural, but growing area, with lots of parkland in the Metroparks, etc. I'll assume that if the garbage doesn't flow, they'll have to find other ways to fill the township treasury - like maybe a big old development on some farmland. Or, maybe they'll just lay off the police.
But, the dump is there. It won't close if Toronto stops shipping. Garbage will come from Ohio or New York instead. So: spend lots ofenergy stopping the garbage for zero gain to local residents. Why not lobby for a new a natural area instead?
But I do find it difficult to think that some hardscrabble northern Ontario town couldn't make use of all the money that is generated by growth in the waste management industry:)
03/15/03
I have three suggestions. Crosswinds Marsh is a restored marsh on Haggerty Rd. in extreme southern Wayne County. Take I-275 to Will-Carleton (I think) and head west. Once you zoom past a landfill, the park is on the right. It's nice and would be interesting at this time of year. Crosswinds is a Wayne County Park and offers 6 to 10 miles of trail.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
