Spring Hike

When:  Friday, May 19, 1 - 3 pm

Where: Pete's Woods Trail, Arcadia Dunes

Trail Guide: Join local botanist, Judy Kelly for a leisurely hike through the rolling hills of Pete's Woods.
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​More Info: bring your own water, bug spray, binoculars, or camera. 

Pete's Woods is a second growth, beech-maple forest crowned by century-old trees. Stewardship of the preserve includes the removal of garlic mustard, an invasive species, which improves the diversity of the understory. In short, more wildflowers. During the brief window between spring thaw and summer leaf-out – sometime between late April and early June – blooms will range from spring beauty and Dutchman’s breeches to squirrel corn, yellow trout lily and bellworth. Trilliums are a given. So are morel mushrooms.
The preserve is named after Pedro Rodriguez, who with his wife, Iva, owned the forested ravines and the adjoining farm where they grew corn for cattle from 1928 to 1971. Consumer’s Power purchased the land in 1971 and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy permanently protected Pete’s Woods in 2005 as part of Arcadia Dunes.
Pete’s Woods Trail is a 1.5-mile loop up and around a forested ridge. The landscape is hilly, but the hiking is surprisingly easy as the gradual climbs follow the natural contours of the ridge. Although mountain bikes are allowed, off-road cyclists are encouraged to ride at nearby Dry Hill Trail, a trail system designed for them.  -- courtesy of Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the stewards of this property.

Winter Hike

When:  Sunday, January 29, 2:30 - 4 pm

Where: Michigan Legacy Art Park

Trail Guide: Join Linda Thomasma, Wildlife Biologist, and Kama Ross, District Forester, for a winter hike! Linda & Kama will discuss winter tree identification, animal tracking, and winter wildlife.

More Info: Come dressed for the weather, and bring your snowshoes! $5 per adult. Reservations are not required. Complimentary for youth 17 and under with paying adult.  Call (231) 378-4963 for further information. Limited snowshoe rentals are available at Crystal Mountain at the Park at Water’s Edge. Call 231-378-2000 ext. 7000 for snowshoe rental information.