Moving here almost two years ago, I knew there were many trails and I had years of exploring ahead. However, I also knew that though there were dozens of trail systems, I would eventually see them all, so I limit the number of new trails I hike a year to keep the magic alive. That explains why this week was the first time I visited the hiking trails at the DeYoung parking area off of Cherry Bend Road.
There are two sets of hiking trails near DeYoung. The first is on East Strang Road, and that is the longer trail system of which I have visited often. The trail I am referring to is across from the DeYoung parking area for the Leelanau Trail, the one with the barn. Right across the path from the parking lot to the paved trail is the non-paved trail leading to the Cedar Lake and Old Field Trail paths.
The first part of the trail is crushed gravel that winds back to the fishing pier on Cedar Lake. This part of the trail is quite short, but you can enjoy Cedar Lake in all it’s splendor. We will assume that lake got its name from all the cedar trees.
There are a few spots with wooden walkways, but most of the trail is on good old dirt. If you are hiking during mosquito season, you’ll have plenty of little friends on your hike – the area surrounding the trail is pretty damp. But keep moving and you’ll be mostly fine. Don’t itch those !
You will even get peeks at Cedar Lake through the cedars. And somebody’s canoes.
Part two is the Old Field Trail which passes through a meadow squeezed between the Leelanau Trail and Cedar Lake. Plenty of sun, few bugs.
If you have missed this trail system, I can understand – even though I’m at the DeYoung parking area a couple times a week, I usually completely forget about it until I actually see the trail. Though it’s not an all-day hike (or a half day or a quarter day…), it is a there for a quick stroll through nature.
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