Winter Hike at Ambler Flatwoods in Michigan City followed by Beer Church!

Let's ring in the new year with a brisk winter hike at Ambler Flatwoods Nature Preserve followed by a visit to Beer Church in New Buffalo! This Shirley Heinze Landtrust preserve is located on the east side of Michigan City, south of US 12 on Meer Rd. Beer Church is a wonderful brewery located in a Civil War era church in New Buffalo that was used as an armory back then. They do an excellent job and have tasty beer, as well as other drinks, and delicious food, located at 24 S. Whittacker St in New Buffalo, MI.

The main parking lot at Ambler Flatwoods is located just north of Tryon Road on the west side of Meer Road and is limited. Google Maps will get you there. Let's meet there at 10:30am for a 4 mile hike to check out the preserve. The terrain is mostly flat and wet and we will hike at a moderate pace.

Ambler Flatwoods is a dedicated Indiana state nature preserve. It is a big place, but its greatest delights are the small things. Tiny forests of rare club mosses cover the ground. Mushrooms in colorful variety emerge from the leaf litter. Salamanders lurk beneath fallen logs. Migratory birds find temporary shelter high in its trees. The sound of hooting owls punctuates the night. Twenty species of reptiles and amphibians have been identified here. You will love the evergreen tree hallways that developed after the nature preserve was purchased from a Christmas tree farm and was never harvested. It's truly a unique experience to walk through these quiet, beautiful spaces. I hope it snows that day! It adds to the magic of the trail. ❄️☃️🌨️

Hope to see you there! -Eileen