Finally, after a long and somewhat chilly spring, it finally became warm enough to get out my hiking gear and take some spring rambles on area trails – hopefully in preparation for a long hikes or backpacking adventures this next autumn.
My main interest during the spring months are always the native wildflowers, or ephemera that bloom in the woods and wetlands in the area.
The Kal-Haven Trail between F and G Ave:
I like to start slow, especially since I tend to be sedentary during Michigan’s winter months. Though I enjoy the snowy days, going to work in the dark and coming home in the dark, leaves little time for outdoor pleasures. Winter is a good time for reading and online art classes, not necessarily for hiking.
However, beginning in April, when the weather starts getting nice, its time to get together with other Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail and start in on our garlic mustard pulls. We concentrate on the trail between F and G Ave, which has the designation of being a wildflower restoration area. I think that I’ve been pulling garlic mustard there for about 10 years. I always take my camera and phone in order to capture images of the short-lived spring flowers.
From the top: False Solomon’s Seal; Solomon’s Seal; Mayapple
Jack in the Pulpit; Columbine; Ragwort
Paw Paw; Wild Phlox; Large-flowered Bellwort
Celandine Poppy; Scarlet cup fungus; Trillium
Spring Beauty; Dutchman’s Breeches; Bloodroot
Trout Lily
After pulling the invasive plant for so many years, the spring natives have made a phenomenal comeback in the area.
Schrier Park – Bishop’s BogPreserve
Bishop’s Bog is a favorite trail of mine. This 152-acre preserve is the largest relict bog in Southern Michigan. A relict bog is an ancient wetlands that dates back to the end of the last ice age when the climate was cooler. The trees and plants are here reminiscent of a more northern climate. Tamaracks and birch trees grow in the bog, and in the late spring you can spot pink ladyslipper orchids, pitcher plants and sundews. My favorite part of the hike is the floating trail that lays on top of the bog. As you walk the wetter portions, water squirts up thru the holes in the plastic docking and wets your feet and legs. It’s really a lot of fun and refreshing on a warm day.
The canal at the entry of the bog; following the trail past tameracks and birches; the floating trail
pink lady slippers; carnivorous pitcher and sundew plants.
I’ll be back again in the summer to check out the fringed orange orchids, button bush blooms, and blueberries.
I'm just a gal who likes the outdoors; the trees, lakes and growing things ; in addition to dabbling a little on the the artistic side of life.
Through the Looking Glass 