Adventures in Traverse City and all over Up North Michigan
While walking to Folgarelli’s to get lunch (great sandwiches), I stopped to take a look at the snow pole. Last year was my first winter living in northern Michigan, and it seemed like a mild one, with only two big snowfalls, one in November and another near the end of the season. And the gage confirms it – only about half of the record snow. Still, ten feet is a lot, and I wouldn’t be too sad about another winter of “only” ten feet.
It finely happened. After months of clear roads and easy driving and no shoveling, the snow finally arrived. It was bound to happen eventually, but I certainly didn’t mind the snow’s absence. Because I’m not a skier, I didn’t feel like I was missing out on winter. I enjoyed the simple school drop off and quick (ish) drive times.
But being in the north during the winter does mean snow, and when it arrived, I saw my chance. For years, my snowshoes sat forlornly on the garage shelves in Haslett, waiting for their time to shine. About ten years ago, I bought a pair of Tubbs Xplore snowshoes. They were the starter model – I wasn’t sure if I was going to like snowshoeing and wanted to spent the least amount of money until I answered that question. I did enjoy it, but we had several mild winters around Lansing, not enough snow to justify breaking out the Tubbs. So when we moved north and the snow arrived, I finally had my chance.
My target trail was the DeYoung Natural Area on Cherry Bend Road. Well, East Strang Road, actually. (There are two lots.) On a snowy Saturday morning I arrived at the empty parking lot. There had been visitors earlier, but not enough to make the walk easy without snowshoes. They really came in handy.
DeYoung Natural Area
Most of the 191 acres of the DeYoung Natural Area was part of a farmstead donated to the Leelanau Conservancy after Louis DeYoung died at age 104 in 2018. Instead of taking the money and running, as he certainly could have done, it was his wish to preserve his land, and we should all be happy about that decision.
The trails run through a mixture of light forest and rolling hills. Despite the snow, the trail was easy to follow with the help of blue-painted poles. Normally, it would not have been a challenging walk, but ten or so inches of snow did make it a bit tougher than average. It was a touch cold, probably below zero with the wind chill. After I while, I started to feel my nose and cheeks again – no permanent physical damage done, thanks for asking.
Hilltop View
After reaching the high point of the hike, the southeastern edge of the trails runs along a creek that winds its way to Cedar Lake. A small bridge crosses the creek to the barn and house, and across Cherry Bend Road is another parking lot for DeYoung. That parking lot also has access to the Leelanau Trail, though one further up the road provides more spots. Instead of crossing the street, I headed back to the Strang Road parking lot.
DeYoung farmstead
There is nothing fancy about the trails at DeYoung – no amazing views like at Brown Bridge, or long, deep forest hikes at Sand Bridge. But, you get a simple, quiet hike through land close to town and enjoy a family’s desire to preserve the land that they loved.
Almost like a tunnel of trees…
The Boardman River Trail is a favorite of mine, and easily reachable for those in Traverse City. Though trails span both sides of the river, the three most accessible trailheads on the west side of the river are at the YMCA South (off of South Airport Road), Sabin Dam (on Cass), and Meadow Pavilion (where the school buses are parked). Any of those are good options, though the southern area of the trails are hillier and in winter, one definitely has to watch their step more carefully. The northernmost (YMCA) trailhead is the best way to access the flatter area of the trail.
BRT in winter
Though my enjoyment of winter decreased from when I was young after I started driving in snow, there is no denying just how beautiful the woods and fields of Michigan are covered in white.
Several creeks drain the Traverse City area into the Boardman River, and they look fantastic framed in snow-covered cedars.
Creek through the woods
You will not have to do an fording of these creeks, though. As far as I know, the bridges along the BRT are troll-free.
Snowy bridge
And what would a post of the Boardman River Trail be without a picture of the river itself? The Boardman is on my list of bodies of water to kayak next year, and there is a spot to take out kayaks at the YMCA just before the river runs under South Airport Road into the lake.
Boardman River
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