Snowshoeing Palmer Woods Reserve

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker. 

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile journeys exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures. 

To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to 

http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/

We're finally getting some snow here in Michigan's NW lower peninsula. I've had my snowshoes in my car for several weeks, but today was the first time I took them out for a hike.

I've been meaning to get out to the Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, one of Leelanau Conservancy's properties. This wooded reserve is located about 2.5 miles south of M22 on S. Wheeler Road near Maple City. 

There are both mountain bike (or fat tire) trails along with trails dedicated for hiking.

I avoid trails where mountain bikes are allowed during the mild months...I don't like having to watch my back for bikes. During the winter, these trails are quiet, and the dedicated trails make for a relaxing hike.

Some of the trails had been groomed for cross-country skiing, so I stayed off those (or hiked off to the side) so as not to mess up the grooming with my snowshoe tracks.

Check out some photos and a video from my snowshoeing hike:

The Great Lakes have set a record for lack of ice this year. Read more HERE.

Kid's Creek

Loreen Niewenhuis is an author, adventurer, and dynamic speaker. 

She has completed a trilogy of 1,000-mile journeys exploring the Great Lakes and has authored three books about these adventures. 

To learn more about her work, or to engage her as a speaker, go to 

http://www.laketrek.com/great-lakes-speaker/

I am continuing to explore the hiking trails in and around Traverse City. Grand Traverse Conservation District works to preserve wild areas tucked amongst developed land. I've hiked several of these preserves, and this week I made it to Kids Creek Park. 


It's just a little loop, but the paved TART Trail connects to it. I ended up hiking onto the TART Trail and emerging behind Panera Bread before looping back to Kids Creek. There is signage along the trail pointing out the importance of healthy creeks and streams. 

It was a snowy day, brisk and pretty. 

The snow revealed the travels of small animals.

A small creek runs through the preserve. The ducks were enjoying the open water.

The trail is well marked. It is situated between the Great Wolf Lodge and Kohl's. 

There used to be a water mill here. It generated power for the farm that used to be here. The ruins of the mill are still on the property.

Ruins of the Old Franke Mill (the structure in foreground)