Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Swan Creek Trail Allegan County

 Sunday April 10, 2022 

A nice sunny day for a 5.44-mile hike in Allegan County Michigan, south Swan Creek Trail.  It has been many years since we have been on this trail.  Long, long ago we camped at Pine Point campground on the east side of this trail.


We walked counterclockwise starting on the west side of the bridge and dam on 118th Avenue.  It warmed up quickly to 55 degrees and it was sunny.  I found just one hepatica blooming, and we saw Skunk Cabbage blooming. It took us almost 3 hours, including a couple of rests along the way and a short Facetime session with the grandkids.  They wanted to see what we were seeing on our walk.  

The trail on the west side of Swan Creek is marked by yellow paint on the trees.  The trail in this section is easy to follow.  There were some trees down blocking the trail, but we were able to go over or under them.  There are some hills along the trail, nothing too strenuous.

At the south end of the trail, you come out on 116th Avenue.  You cross over the creek on the gravel road that has two large culverts under it.  Now we will head north along the east side of the creek.  There is a sign with a yellow arrow pointing the way, well-marked.  

The trail heads uphill here so you are up and away from the water.  In my opinion, even though it was beautiful on this day, this side of the creek is less scenic.  For me four miles is far enough to walk generally, at this point we had past that mark. 

One other observation about this trail, is that on the northeast side of the creek the trail is not as well marked.  Then, of course you have to walk alongside 118th Avenue crossing the bridge to get back to the trailhead parking area.

It is a more secluded and quieter hike for the most part.  We met a few other hikers, there is some road noise near 118th Avenue, and some gunshots in the distance.  This is mostly State Game Area property.
 



















Thanks for stopping by.  

6 comments:

New Hampshire Gardener said...

That looks like a great place to hike. When I started blogging 6 miles used to be a breeze but now, not so much. I can imagine how your legs felt!
I've been walking every day since I retired, trying to get back to the place where I could walk all day, but it takes time. It sure has worked wonders for my lungs!
That was a nice butterfly sighting too. I've seen lots of insects but still no butterflies.

Plants Amaze Me said...

Hi Allen, it is a great place to walk and it is a loop trail. On the way home from this walk we stopped at a new park and walked two more miles! I usually do okay while walking but once I stop then it hits me.
I’m so glad you are getting out each day walking and that it actually helps your lungs!
We saw several Mourning Cloaks and a few Commas too! They were very fast, flitting about.
Yesterday my very own hepatica started blooming, and it is a warm day finally at 68!

Sister in the Mid-west said...

Very pretty! I wish I could get out in the woods. I have a toddler and an infant this Spring, so I am missing out a little bit. We will do more outdoor activities in the summer. I have a better time taking the children to the playground at this stage of life more than walking trails. :)

Plants Amaze Me said...

Thank you Sister in the Midwest. How lucky you are to have a toddler and newborn to be with, kids are fun. Yes a playground is the place for now, maybe a couple more years then a stroll through some woods.
When we camped at Swan Creek Campground many years ago, we had three kids, the youngest was 5 months old. We walked this 5+ mile trail back then. We did a lot of camping when the kids were young.

Big Brother! said...

Looks like a nice hike! Great description of the trail!๐ŸŒฒ๐Ÿฆ‰๐ŸŒณ๐ŸŒž๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป

Plants Amaze Me said...

Thanks Big Brother Chuck, it was a nice hike and a nice day. Mike likes loop trails more than out and back but if Marie and I were here we would muck about at the north end of the trail! ๐Ÿ™‚