What animal walked through here?

Tracking Winter Wildlife
By Andy Avram, Interpretive Manager

A fresh coating of snow lies over the land, disturbed only by a single line of footprints. These tracks offer us a glimpse into this animal’s life—a few pages of its story on this winter day. What animal walked through here? What was it doing and where did it go?

By examining the size, shape and pattern we can tell it was a small mammal, likely a meadow vole. Following the tracks we see it burrowed into the snow as the tracks end in a small tunnel, about the diameter of a quarter, but resurface a couple feet away to carry on the journey. The tracks stop by some nibbled vegetation where the vole had a bite to eat, but suddenly the footprints become widely spaced as if the vole was startled into running away. It ran a short distance before the prints simply vanish. Looking next to the area where the footprints disappeared, we see what looks like brush strokes in the snow and realize our little friend was captured and carried off by a hawk or owl. Our footprint story ends here, but the bird of prey’s story continues on.

It is stories like these that make hiking in the winter so much fun, but we know that it sometimes takes a little extra motivation to leave a nice cozy home to brave the outdoors. Animal tracks, birds, trees and even interesting insects that crawl on top of the snow can be found all winter long and Lake Metroparks offers a number of opportunities to get out with a naturalist to discover these. 

For general nature try a Winter Nature Walk. If you would like a more in-depth program to learn about and look for animal tracks, join us for Wildlife Tracking.

Wildlife Tracking
January 24 at Veterans Park
February 28 at Pete’s Pond Preserve

Winter Nature Walk
February 21 at Penitentiary Glen Reservation

These programs are free. To register (required), click on the link provided. Registration may also be made by phone at 440-639-7275 or in person at the Registration  Department at Concord Woods between 8 and 4:30 pm.

Beat the Heat with Wet Feet

Lake Metroparks is fortunate to have a multitude of parks that provide access to our local rivers and Lake Erie.  During the heat of summer some of these locations offer great opportunities to cool off with a hike through the water.  Our local waters are important homes for many plants and animals, so while hiking around keep your eyes open for fish, frogs, crayfish or even a Bald Eagle. 

The following are some of our favorite places for a creek or river hike:

Indian Point Park – From the lower parking lot you can readily enter Paine Creek.  You can hike upstream to the Seeley Road bridge or take a shorter, easier hike downstream where the stream empties into the Grand River.

Helen Hazen Wyman Park – Kellogg Creek, Big Creek and the Grand River all come together at this park.  The best creek hiking though is in Big Creek where the clear shallow waters offer excellent opportunities to explore. 

Hidden Valley Park – The Grand River is the largest and deepest river in the county, but just beyond the shelter is a wide, shallow area perfect for wading.  So grab the family and some hot dogs for a picnic and an afternoon of splashing in the river.

Lake Erie has some great natural beaches to walk along while the waves splash at your feet.  Our favorite locations are:

Lake Erie Bluffs – The longest stretch of natural Lake Erie beach in the park district offers you a chance to walk the .71-miles from one park entrance to the other.  Keep cool by walking along the edge of the surf, while experiencing this amazing natural area.

Lakeshore Reservation – Two sets of stairs border a stretch of natural Lake Erie beach nearly a half mile long.  You can sit in the shade of some of the overhanging trees or wade into the lake to cool off. 

For more information and directions to the parks, visit lakemetroparks.com.

 

Don’t let cabin fever keep you indoors!

Get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter. Experience the woodlands as a Lake Metroparks naturalist guides you on a nature hike through field, forest and stream.

Winter Hike
Sunday, February 9, 2014 • 1 to 4 pm
Penitentiary Glen Reservation

 

Two hikes are available to choose from; each varying in length and terrain.

1. An interpretive hike about three miles long with a few stops along the way.
2. Self-guided trail options for families with young children or more limited mobility. Easy-to-follow trail maps are available in the Nature Center.

A Winter Hike patch and a commemorative year patch are presented to all participants.

After completing the hike, warm yourself by a roaring campfire complete with s’mores. Stop by the Wildlife Center to see some of our native wildlife up close. Enjoy hot soup and beverages served inside the comfortable Nature Center and listen to the sounds of folk music performed by Ernest Elshaw. Stop by The Nature Store to see hiking-inspired deals for the whole family!

Hikers are reminded of the importance of wearing comfortable footwear which is sturdy, warm and water-repellent. Hiking boots are recommended as the trails maybe snow- and/or mud-covered. Remember to dress in warm, comfortable layers. For more winter safety tips, visit lakemetroparks.com.

Pre-registration is requested for Winter Hike at Penitentiary Glen.

 

Patch, s’mores, soup and beverages are all included in registration fee. Program is $8 per person, all ages welcome, under 18 with an adult, please.

Register online or call Lake Metroparks registration at 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226. Program is $8 per person, all ages welcome, under 18 with an adult, please.

 

Photo by Maribeth Joeright for The News-Herald.

Top 5 color hikes in Lake Metroparks

 

Hiking is one of the most popular forms of outdoor leisure—surveys suggest that one in three Americans rate it as one of their three favorite forms of outdoor recreation. Hiking combines several pursuits—interests in scenery, wildlife, discovery and solitude—all in a low-impact form of healthy activity.

Lake Metroparks has more than 50 miles of trails spanning Lake County. These trails provide countless opportunities for walkers to enjoy the beautiful fall scenery. Get out and soak up the beauty while it lasts!

Chapin Forest Reservation
Lucky Stone Loop Trail to the scenic overlook at the historic Sperry Quarry


With a panoramic view of everything from Lake Erie to the Cleveland skyline, the view of fall colors may be the best in Lake Metroparks. Best accessed via the Rt. 306 entrance.

Indian Point Park
Lookout Ridge Trail
This trail takes you to a spectacular view over the Grand River. The forested hillside comes alive with colorful leaves. Best accessed via the upper parking lot. 

Hell Hollow Wilderness Area
 Beechridge Loop Trail
Standing on top of a 200-foot cliff, a breathtaking view of hills and valleys stretches out before you.




Hogback Ridge Park 
Hemlock Ridge Loop Trail
From the start of the loop to the finish, fall colors will surround and envelop you. Access via the main entrance (south).
  



Hidden Valley Park
River Breeze Trail 
This riverside trail has excellent views of the forested hillside and the display of colors never ends along the entire half-mile trail. Access via the south entrance.


Click here for complete list of trail maps available to download.

Spend the night in the parks

Lake Metroparks introduces tent camping in five parks

In an effort to provide more opportunities to enjoy our parks, Lake Metroparks is expanding its camping opportunities to include tent camping so campers may experience unique natural features and the great outdoors. Staff created sites to highlight different natural resources, thus providing a variety of camping experiences.

These new opportunities offer a “primitive” experience for small groups of up to eight people staying in tents. Campers must hike about ¼-mile to more than a mile or paddle to the campsites. 

Each location is different, and there is only one campsite per park to provide a quiet, intimate natural experience—much different than crowded campgrounds. There is a lakeside site on Hidden Lake, a site high on the bluffs over the Grand River, a creekside site along Big Creek and two different riverside sites along the Grand River.

The paddle-in sites may require a 3- to 8-mile paddle by canoe or kayak to reach the campsite. The idea is to paddle a stretch of the Grand River  spend the night under the stars and then paddle another stretch the next day. Imagine paddling 27 miles and spending two nights on the wild and scenic Grand River  That is now possible in your Lake Metroparks.

Each site has a designated area to pitch a tent, a place to build a fire, a grill and a picnic table. The sites do not have restrooms, running water or trash cans. Campers are expected to practice a “leave no trace” camping ethic including carrying in and carrying out all supplies and trash, with the goal of leaving the area better than it was found. 

Sites are available from May 1 until October 31 and subject to temporary closure due to high water or extremely wet conditions.

Click here for a list of campsite locations, reservation procedure and the rules and regulations for tent camping in Lake Metroparks.

Enjoy the benefits of a Winter Hike

Come on…get outside and enjoy the beauty of winter woodlands on a guided nature hike with Lake Metroparks naturalists. What could be better than a hike, campfire, warm food and music to cure your cabin fever! Winter Hike activities will step off at Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirtland beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 19. 

There are four hikes, varying in length and terrain, from which hikers may choose.

1. An interpretive hike about three miles long with a few stops along the way.
2. A shorter and easier hike for novice hikers.
3. Fast walkers who want to get some fresh air and enjoy the park.
4. A self-guided short trail option for families with young children or more limited mobility. Easy-to-follow trail maps are available in the Nature Center.

Enjoy hot soup and beverages served inside the comfortable Nature Center after the hike and enjoy live folk music, all included in the program fee. Outdoors, the warmth of a roaring campfire will be ready with s’mores for everyone.

All participants receive a Winter Hike patch and an add-on year patch. 

Hikers are reminded of the importance of wearing comfortable footwear which is sturdy, warm and water-repellent. Hiking boots are recommended as the trails maybe snow- and/or mud-covered. Remember to dress in warm, comfortable layers. For more winter safety tips, visit lakemetroparks.com. 

Registration Information

Pre-registration is required for participation in the Winter Hike at Penitentiary Glen Reservation. Register online at lakemetroparks.com or call registration at 440-358-7275 or 800-669-9226. Program is $8 per person, all ages welcome, under 18 with an adult, please.

Directions
Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located at 8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd in Kirtland. Take I-90 to Rt. 306 south for about one mile. Turn left onto Rt. 615. Turn right (east) onto Kirtland-Chardon Road and continue for two miles. Penitentiary Glen Reservation is located on the right (south) side of the road.