Hike these parks and preserves for prizes in July. Snarf a pancake, too
You don't have to "Climb Every Mountain," but you can hike at least 10 or more parks and preserves in July — and snack on Independence Day pancakes at one of them — or bike/eat pie among the Amish. So, before I (burp) burst into song, here are the details from this week's Outdoor Adventures column.
Hike new preserve
The Harbor Country Hikers will hike 1.2 miles at the new Sugarwood Forest Preserve in Three Oaks at 10 a.m. July 2. The preserve is 40 acres next to Warren Woods State Park that the nonprofit Chikaming Open Lands acquired in 2021. From Three Oaks, go north on Three Oaks Road, then turn left on Elm Valley Road for half a mile. It’ll be on the right.
#10Trail Challenge
Take July to hike at least 10 out of 15 trails across southwest Michigan and northern Indiana, and you could win gift cards to local businesses in this annual challenge from Chikaming Open Lands and The Rotary clubs of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor and of Harbor Country.
You must hike them in July and prove it by snapping a photo of yourself in a framed selfie station that will be at each of the 15 participating parks and preserves.
The trails are at Lydick Bog Nature Preserve in South Bend, Red Mill County Park in LaPorte, Burns Prairie Preserve near Galien, McCoy’s Creek Trail in Buchanan, Love Creek County Park in Berrien Center, Mt. Tabor Trails in Baroda, Kesling Nature Preserve in Three Oaks, Merritt and Younger Family Preserves in Union Pier, Sugarwood Forest Preserve in Three Oaks, Edward and Elizabeth Leonard Wildlife Preserve in Chikaming Township, Tower Hill Camp in Sawyer, Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer, Riverview Park in St. Joseph, Sarett Nature Preserve in Benton Harbor and Ross Coastal Plain Marsh Preserve near Coloma.
It’s free to enter. Register and find details at chikamingopenlands.org/10trailchallenge.
Fourth of July: From fireworks to a pickle fling, Michiana offers many activities for July 4th holida
Pancakes on the 4th
The South Bend-Elkhart Audubon Society will serve pancakes from 7:30 to 10 a.m. July 4 at its wildlife sanctuary, 59395 Clover Road, Mishawaka, south of George Wilson Park. Bring your own eating utensils if you can. Donations accepted.
Amishland and Lakes Bicycle Tour
This nearly 50-year-old bike ride, where Amish folks come to the roadside to sell homemade treats to supplement the ride’s ample food, returns July 30-31 to its base at Lakeland High School in LaGrange, Ind. Cost is $45 per individual, $85 per family, which goes up July 1 by $5 and $10, respectively. Bike routes of 22 to 100 miles among buggies that Saturday, then through lake country that Sunday. Details are at www.amishlandandlakes.com.
Urban Adventure Games
This mad-dash race for pairs on bikes across South Bend-Mishawaka returns July 30. But the price per team rises by $20 starting July 1. Currently, the cost is $140, $160 and $180 depending on whether you’re in the Fun, Open or Elite division. Details are at urbanadventuregames.com.
Indiana Bicycling Resource Guide
The nonprofit Bicycle Indiana has published its 2022 guide, a 43-pager with organized rides around the state, cycling tips and stories about biking programs. Click here for a link to it.
The main column: Penn High School teacher races bike across the U.S. in just over 11 days
Find columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Hiking, pancakes, bicycle tours and more coming up in the area
