Lunch at Joe and Freddy's, and a Hike on the Glenwood Dunes Trail

note: to recognize me if we haven't met, i will be wearing a faded blue hat that says "GREECE" on it.

be sure to bring your National Park pass if you have one. if you don't, you can park at the train station and someone can give you a ride to the trailhead, and back to your car afterwards.

dear friends--

after passing by for years, we've recently discovered Joe and Freddy's, https://www.joeandfreddys.com/ , an unassuming place on route 12 in the Town of Pines, owned and run by noted local chef Nicole Bissonette, of the Miller Bakery Cafe, the Fish Camp, and other noteworthy eateries past and present.

we had several lunches there last summer, and i'm planning another now. join us, and prepare to be impressed!

if you have symptoms of, or have recently tested positive for Covid-19 (or any other contagious disease), please DO NOT ATTEND.

after we've enjoyed our lunch, we will drive a short distance west on US 12, and park at the USGS lot on the southwest corner of US 12 & Kemil rd.

Parking there 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.

hang your permit on your mirror, or put it on your dashboard.

then we will take a hike on the Glenwood Dunes Trail System.

in this section of the park between US 12 and US 20, running from the Dune Park to the Beverly Shores South Shore train stations, is a large network of trails, with total length of almost 10 miles, called the Glenwood Dunes trail system.

these are inland trails away from lakefront and the high dunes--gentle walks without any steep climbs thru a quiet land of pine forests, rushing streams, wetlands, and rolling terrain.

The Glenwood dunes towered much higher on the lakefront about ten thousand years ago, but time and the elements have lowered the elevation, and muted the terrain to what it is now. these dunes are the first level back from the current lakeshore.

we will start out counter-clockwise on the nature trail that leads out of the USGS parking lot, till it reaches the south leg of the Glenwood Dunes trail in this area. we will take that trail along the edge of a wetland till it crosses Teale road.

we will stop at the picnic tables there for a short rest and some conversation, then turn east, and take the north leg of the trail as it follows a low, sandy ridge till it rejoins the nature trail, and follow the remainder of that trail back to the parking lot.

check the weather on the day of the event and dress appropriately http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/Beverly+Shores+IN+46301 .
Be sure to bring along plenty of water (preferably 2 quarts).

leading this hike will be Lilia, who was introduced as an event leader at the memorable high dunes hike at the state park last month.

i will be coming myself as far as the end of the nature trail, and then probably turning back.

the total distance should be about 2.5 miles. there is also a cutoff midway. where you can reduce the day's hike to about 1.3 miles if you choose.

Feel free to text or call me at 773-415-0428 if you are lost or delayed, or with other questions.

Please cancel your RPVP if you can't make it, so we don't wait for you.

Hope to see you there,

Rick

Photos from previous hikes at this location:

2011 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/4750622/

2013 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/12813592/

2023 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/33301781/

2023 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/33281146/

2023 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/33545217/

2023 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/33995004/

2025 https://www.meetup.com/ricks-hiking-fun-group/photos/35105944/

directions from Joe & Freddy's to the USGS:

turn left on US 12, and drive west a few miles till you come to the intersection with Kemil rd. at that point turn left, then immediately turn right into the parking lot. remember to display your National Park permit!