Rick's Hiking & Fun Group

Time 5:30pm CT, 7:30pm ET

I've been gone for a while-- I had some extra projects to do for work. Things should be back to normal.

This is one of the nature spots I visit most often. It is easy to get to, but feels remote, and has a bit of woods as well as beach, and a creek that's never in the same place.

We'll start with a 10-15 minute hike through the woods over the dune. The trail ends on a dramatic sand cliff overlooking the beach. But there's an easier way down off to the side.

Then we'll walk for 1/2 a mile on the beach sand towards the creek, with dunes on one side and the lake on the other. We'll linger there, watch the sun go down, and maybe wade in the creek

Then we turn around and go back. Total distance traveled is roughly 2 miles, but it is mostly over loose sand, so will feel like more.

The sun should set when we are near the creek. We can enjoy the spectacle, and make our way back across the beach and through the woods in the dusk. You might want to bring a flashlight, but the pale sand makes a good path.

Difficulty
This is a medium-low difficulty hike, because of walking uphill on loose sand for parts of the walk, but mostly from a mile of walking on the beach . Though if you are just up for an easier experience, you can just stop and hang out on the beach, or turn around at any point-- you can't get lost, the only branching trail is blocked off.

Starting Location
We'll gather by the bathrooms near the parking lot.

101 Rice St, Michigan City, IN 46360
It is just a few minutes west of Michigan City on Beverly Drive, near the power plant.

Details
• Dogs are allowed on leash
• Wear layers. It may be more than a little colder by the time we go back.
• Most of the hike will be on beach sand
• Bathrooms are next to the parking lot
• In case of bad weather the hike may be bumped

Parking
Backup Parking: If the lot is full there is a small parking lot available at the end of the Calumet trail on HW12, half a mile south of the entrance to Mt. Baldy

Parking is overseen by the National Park system. The Indiana Dunes National Park pass, and "America the Beautiful - Interagency Pass" are both valid.

• https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm
• https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

State Park passes are not accepted.

Feel free to text or call me at 217-717-7860 for last minute details.

Hope to see you there,
Jonathan

Photos from another time:
https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34860106/

Time 1pm CT, 2pm ET

This trail is new-ish, completed in 2022. It is a wide, smooth paved path, gently winding, that crosses a few bridges. It is wheelchair accessible, though there is one significant hill.

This is a good "go at your own pace" trail, no side paths, or directions needed. The length is 2.5 miles, so going both ways it is 5 miles. But you can do as much as you want and then turn around.

Map
Here's a link to a map of the planned route:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/burns-harbor-trail-salt-creek-bridge-7109af3

Access
Parking is free.
There are about 13 parking spots on site, and some may be taken. But there is more space a short block away at the town-hall / police station. Still if you can carpool, that might be helpful.

Feel free to text or call me at 217-717-7860 for last minute details.
Please cancel your RSVP if you can't make it, so we don't wait for you.

Hope to see you there,
Jonathan (I'm a bearded guy in glasses with a blue backpack)

Photos from some previous hikes at this location:

2023 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34160546/

2024 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34418159/

2024 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34622982/

Time 5pm CT, 6pm ET

This is a different biome from much of the dunes area, scattered fire-resistant trees, and a low understory of shorter plants and bushes. Plenty of room for a breeze. A very nice place for a hike.

The end of the hike will be running into dusk, so you may want to bring a flashlight, though it probably won't be needed.

Difficulty

It is a moderately difficult hike. The total distance is just under 3 miles. There are a few sandy, steep parts, and the trail is narrow in places.

Details

• Dogs are allowed on leash
• Bring some water
• In case of bad weather the hike may be bumped

More info, photos and maps the route can be found here: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/indiana/tolleston-dunes

Access
There are about 20 parking spots on site, and some will likely be taken. But there are some options for overflow parking nearby we can use with a little on-the-spot car-pooling. Don't drive off if the place is full, stop and we'll talk and figure it out.

Parking is overseen by the National Park system. Both the Indiana Dunes National Park pass, and "America the Beautiful - Interagency Pass" are valid.

• https://www.nps.gov/indu/planyourvisit/fees.htm
• https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm

State Park passes are not accepted.

Feel free to text or call me at 217-717-7860 for last minute details.
Please cancel your RPVP if you can't make it, so we don't wait for you.

Hope to see you there,
Jonathan (I'm a bearded guy with glasses and a bright blue backpack)

Some previous hikes on this trail:

https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34615755/

https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/34142953/