A Michigander takes to the woods and water of her home state.
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Metropark: Stony Creek (Hiking)
Place: Stony Creek Metropark
Today's Activity: ~ 6 or 7 miles of Hiking / insect killing
Duration: 90 minutes on the Inwood Trails, 45 minutes with Heather on the Nature Trails
Time: Monday 9:30am, then 1pm
Weather: I've added this "weather" section because it is worth noting that if it is hot and muggy, maybe don't go into the ungroomed wilderness for fun, unless bugs seriously don't bother you.
Cost: $0! (apart from one-time park pass and cost of gas)
The Experience: This morning I had to leave Duke at home since I was going to be out longer than he can really handle, meaning I had to say "no" to this sad face:
Worst. feeling. ever.
I'm sorry Duke! Next time!
Once I got over the guilt, I left for Stony Creek, a metropark I've never been to before. I was excited because the park looked great upon entering it, and I love that it took me 15 minutes of driving to get to the other side of the park where you can go on different trails, but I was rather disappointed when I arrived and was greeted by this little fellow:
Not exactly the best start to a hike...
Ugh.
When I finally got going though, you mostly lost sight of them and it wasn't so bad, but I was just annoyed they were there.
I started off on the Habitat trail to get to the Inwood Trails, which are described on the map as, "primitive trails for foot traffic only." The Nature Trails are a bit less wild but moderately hilly, as Heather can attest to :)
The very beginning of the Habitat Trail (part of the Nature Trails)
"Walk quietly" is my favorite part.
Making my way to the Inwood Trails.
The Nature Trails were shorter and much better-marked.
The Habitat Trail.
There were also quite a few posts like these with fun facts...
The Habitat Trail
The Habitat Trail - a bunny in the distance!
"During the summer, the field behind you is used by female rattlesnakes
preparing to give birth." AWESOME.
You can't hide from me, Bunny. Except that you kind of can.
The Habitat Trail
"Do not pick the wildflowers." Fine. As long as they don't pick me.
Here we are! Looks promising.
A slightly ominous beginning to the Inwood Trails.
Further on... the trails changed a lot.
The bugs were rather vicious.
I practically ran down, snapped the next picture, and
then ran back away, the bugs were so bad.
Notice the water - it sprinkled on and off for an hour or so.
Bug-breeding ground, probably.
They knew I was coming.
It may look pleasant, but it was a 90 minute bug battle for me.
(See video below)
You may want bug spray.
The water peeking out here and there was pretty nice.
More like... "A Place to Sit and Get Eaten Alive." I tried not to stop during
the walk, otherwise I'd get ambushed by bugs.
Returning to the Habitat Trail.
And so, while the Inwood Trails were a bit more rugged, they were definitely a challenge in that they were not exactly "maintained" - it looked like someone may have mowed the path a couple months ago - which is totally fine, but you would definitely want some good hiking boots. Also, if you can't stand a lot of bugs, it may not be for you, or you may want to wait for another season when they're not so bad. Mid-summer muggy days are a recipe for bug bites.
Walking with Heather later that day on the Landscape Trail.
The one downfall of the Stony Creek Metropark.
The Landscape Trail.
It was a mile or so long, finishing with a walk along the river.
Heather and I had a lot of fun here, trying to climb the tree.
A LOT of fun.
Perhaps the funniest 15 minutes of our walk.
Overall, I enjoyed my hikes but would probably wait for better weather for the Inwood Trails, and I can only imagine it's amazing during the fall when the leaves are all changing.
The Nature Trails were more family-friendly, or less intensive if you just want a short walk, but they were a bit hilly here and there.
I'm looking forward to going back and biking the 6-mile paved loop around the lake, and seeing what else Stony has to offer.
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