Mt. Pisgah Dune Climb and Boardwalk, 2238 3rd Avenue, Holland MI ~ 9/22/21 & 10/28/21

There is no parking at the trail head but there is a small lot a few blocks away at 2280 Ottawa Beach Road (2 hour parking). Look for this sign for the parking lot.
We followed this path to find the stairway up to the top of the dune and were warned to watch out for ticks, and leave dogs and bikes behind.
Before the stairway was installed in 2008 people were climbing the dune itself, contributing to the erosion. Along with the stairway, additional trails were added to connect to the existing paths in the woods. So the dune is now being preserved and the top of the dune is more accessible to more people (as long as you're willing to climb 200+ stairs).
Steps are marked at different intervals, on up to step 239.
From the top you can see Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan.
A boardwalk near the top leads into the woods where you can make a loop around through the woods.
On our September visit, we just headed back down the steps.
In October we returned to see what the woods trail was like.
The view at the top.
So we headed into the woods after the climb.
It's a gorgeous trail but becomes quite narrow at times and there were two really steep spots.
Rather than move this fallen tree, someone cut out a piece of it😊
Big roots are found here and there.
Some unfortunate tree carving 😑 
We continued to wind our way through the woods until we were back where we started.
In a few places, the boardwalk is pulling apart 😶
We ended up with about 2 1/2 miles and many, many steps. This is a wonderful place to enjoy the view and soak up nature 💗
1 1/2 minute video from the walkwatch?v=W9z3TUihLcU



 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Clear Springs Nature Preserve, 3585 W. Fruitvale Road, Montague

Image
This gorgeous 100 or so acreage preserve has about 3 miles of trails and was one of the earliest trading posts in the area (1848, according to Montague Township).  In the 1950s, the property was owned by North Star Fish Hatchery, the Bob Wesley family, and remnants of that can still be seen. In the 1990s, the land was slated to become a 90-home development but Montague Township raised the money to purchase it instead and preserved this beautiful place. Walk the six different trails and find tree stands, turtles, and informative signs. A short distance on the Rim Trail will bring you to this impressive stand of trees. Elevation changes are minimal so the trails are not difficult. Enjoy this scenic and unique preserve!  
Read more

Aman Park, 0-1859 Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids ~ May 2021

Image
5-11-21 This is the view looking up from the grave of the man who donated these 331 acres to the City of Grand Rapids in 1926. He selected his burial site and was buried here in 1928. Thank you, Jacob Aman. There is one other historic monument in the park, that remembering Edwin Sweet (1847 - 1935). He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1874 and became Mayor of Grand Rapids 1904-1906. He, however, is not buried under this rock. After finding these spots we set off on one of the many beautiful dirt trails. We crossed these two bridges and were amazed at the fields of trillium and bluebells, flowing through the woods like rivers. Wild Phlox, Wild Geranium, and Jack-in-the-Pulpit 5-13-21 Today we returned to the park to take a few larger loop trails. Although there are markers here and there (not enough of them), this is the only map (at the main entrance). We took a pre-printed one with us but if you are color-blind, it won't help you. The map doesn't have co
Read more

Huff Park, 2399 Ball Ave NE, Grand Rapids

Image
12-6-20 We first started walking in Huff Park during Covid. It is a lovely nature sanctuary right in the city of Grand Rapids. You can walk a short, 1/2 mile loop or the longer 1 mile loop and it remains very flat. Elevated boardwalks take you over wetlands, and the woods are lovely in any season. 1-8-21 It's still beautiful and walkable with snow on the ground. 12-23-23 Last December we found a great blue heron and had another nice walk, except for all the people talking on their cell phones 😒 Let's add  no cell phones usage to this sign (unless it's an emergency) and let us all enjoy the peaceful beauty of nature 💓 Walk on!
Read more