Off the Beaten Trail

Fall’s upon us, and everybody knows that means great hikes and afternoon meditations amidst colorful leaves and crisp wind. The Ridges Sanctuary owns 170 acres on Loritz Road that has largely remained under the radar. With its dense woodland and Clark Lake access, it’s a fabulous place to escape.

“I think the locals have kind of adopted it,” said Karen Newbern, Naturalist at The Ridges Sanctuary. “It’s a good place to get away from everybody.”

Purchased in 1992 and then expanded in 1994, the land has frontage on Clark Lake and Logan Creek. It’s easy hiking terrain, with a little over a mile of trail. People can also put their canoes or kayaks into Logan Creek near Mr. G’s and paddle about a half mile down to the lake.

“That property’s got a little bit of everything…it’s pretty diverse. When you start out, it’s an old hayfield, slowly becoming a meadow habitat,” Newbern said. “The beginning of the trail is in a hardwood forest, where you find a lot of sugar maple and beech trees. Down toward the lake there are hemlocks and white cedars in the lowland.”

A large part of the shoreline on Clark Lake is privately owned, but this property has two overlooks on the lake. If you sit still long enough, you might spot a fair amount of wildlife.

“There are lake otters, and it’s good bird watching from those outlooks,” said Newbern. “Obviously you’ll get waterfowl, sand hill cranes, herons, and there are swallows that hang out there during the summer.”

The Loritz Road property provides a perfect place for those seeking a little bit of solitude after a busy summer.

Ridges Sanctuary’s Logan Creek Property

5724 Loritz Road, just south of Jacksonport

For more information call 920.839.2802 or visit http://www.RidgesSanctuary.org.