Land Of A Thousand Trails: Your Leelanau Trail Roundup, Just In Time For National Trails Day

The glacial wonders of Whaleback. The tranquil mix of ecosystems that make up the Chippewa Run Natural Area. The astonishing views of the Empire Bluff Trail and the Pyramid Point Trail. The many paths that wind through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – and the parts of the park you didn’t even know existed.

These are just a few incredible assets that Leelanau County counts amongst its goldmine of hiking trails and natural wonders. In honor of National Trails Day, which falls tomorrow, June 3, the Leelanau Ticker checked in with local organizations to get the latest trail news and the scoop on weekend celebrations.

Trail News

What’s new with Leelanau County’s trails? According to Leelanau Conservancy Communications Director Claire Wood, there are new trail-related developments either on the ground or in the works at four of the almost 30 natural areas and preserves the Conservancy maintains, manages, and protects.

Hikers in Suttons Bay might have noticed they have some extra trail to work with this spring at Stites Natural Area, which recently got an additional one-mile trail loop. The addition brings the park’s total trail system to 1.6 miles.

The popular Palmer Woods Forest Reserve near Maple City, meanwhile, recently opened a new mountain bike trail called the “Waxwing Connector.” That 1.4-mile stretch, Wood says, “is a two-way connector trail” intended to link the two original trails at Palmer Woods – called “The Enlightener” and “Acer Ridge” – “to the mid-valley hub where several trails converge.” Specifically, that hub now brings Enlightener and Acer Ridge together with the other two main mountain biking trails at the park: “Ursa Major” and “Beechdrops.”

Those additions are already up and running, but this summer will also bring a few other notable developments to Conservancy parks and trails.

One big milestone coming this summer is the long-awaited opening of Pat’s Preserve at Lime Lake, a new natural area located near Maple City. The Conservancy announced three years ago that its long-in-the-works vision of creating a Lime Lake Preserve had at last “become a reality” with the purchase of two final parcels along the shores of the lake. The preserve now protects over 26 acres and more than 1,000 feet of Lime Lake shoreline, and has been highlighted by the Conservancy as something that will “help to ensure the long-term water quality of Lime Lake and the Good Harbor Bay Watershed.”

As of yet, though, Pat’s Preserve is still not open to the public, something Wood says will change soon. The Leelanau Conservancy is currently putting the finishing touches on a new quarter-mile trail at Pat’s Preserve, which will include a boardwalk and a bridge out to Lime Lake itself. Wood tells the Leelanau Ticker that the Conservancy is targeting a mid-July opening date for that new asset, and is “thrilled to officially open” the long-awaited preserve.

Also new this summer: “Ingraham Preserve at Cedar River,” a new 1.4-mile trail going in at the existing Cedar River Preserve. That new trail, Wood says, is particularly notable, given that it will “offer access to the pristine area via land for the first time.”

“Previously the Cedar River Preserve was only accessible by boat,” Wood explains. “The new trail traverses a ridgeline, passing a kettle hole, and features amazing views of the river and South Lake Leelanau.” The Ingraham Preserve trail, she adds, “will be opening in August.”

National Trails Day Celebrations

Want to join in the festivities of celebrating Leelanau County’s trails? There are several opportunities to do so.

Today (Friday) is “Spring Trails Day” for the Leelanau Conservancy, which is inviting any and all to join in for an afternoon of celebrations. Hosted by the LC Collective – a group of young leaders that came together in 2022 “to engage the next generation in the vital work of the Leelanau Conservancy” – the events provide a few different ways for the general public to take part in Trails Day.

At 4pm, attendees have the choice of heading to Palmer Woods Forest Reserve for a guided bike tour, or gathering at Pat’s Preserve for a guided paddle of the soon-to-open preserve. Both events are followed by an “LC Collective Social” at 5pm at the Palmer Woods Hub, which will lead into a guided hike, also at Palmer Woods. Per the Leelanau Conservancy, there will be “some light snacks and refreshments” provided during the social at Palmer Woods, and attendees are invited to BYOB.

There is no charge for the LC Collective’s Trails Day events, but those planning to attend are asked to RSVP ahead of time. Guests will also need to bring their own equipment – including proper hiking footwear, bicycles for the biking event, and watercraft and personal flotation devices for the paddle. Dogs are not allowed for any of the events.

National Trails Day celebrations will continue throughout the weekend, courtesy of Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. That organization is currently working to recruit “adopt-a-trail” volunteers, who regularly hike specific trails within the National Lakeshore, perform basic trail care and maintenance (like removing down branches or small trees blocking the path), and report bigger trail issues to Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. Currently, the organization doesn’t have enough of a volunteer force to “get every trail in the park reported on,” and is using National Trails Day as a springboard to pull in new recruits.

On Saturday, Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes will have a tent at the Dune Climb parking lot from 9am to 3pm. Those interested in volunteering with the organization can stop by to register or to learn more about volunteer opportunities. New volunteers will receive a free copy of Mainland Trails of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a brand-new full-color, 40-page guidebook that Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes created in partnership with MichiganTrailMaps.com. The book covers “15 trails in Leelanau and Benzie Counties and includes mile-by-mile trail descriptions, suggested routes, difficulty ratings, and color photos,” as well as tips on where to find scenic views, swimming beaches, shipwrecks, picnic areas, and more.

Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes is also hosting a “Sleeping Bear Trivia Night” at Joe’s Friendly Tavern in Empire on Sunday. The event kicks off with a “social hour” at 4pm, followed by the actual trivia competition which starts at 5pm.