Parklands Foundation has some wonderful preserves near Bloomington and west to almost Morton along the Mackinaw River. Several of these are featured preserves in their system. The preserves are generally open dawn to dusk. Dawn is 551am, Dusk 801pm. Look at the links below and explore the preserves listed, especially the featured one. We will start at Merwin, an easy choice. Many miles of trails on both sides of the river. We can spend all day there, or move to other preserves, the participants can decide on April 13th. FYI, take a close look at Chinquapin Bluffs, and Ridgetop. Both of those are about 25 minutes west of Merwin, with nearly the same amount of spring wild flower species. Others of interest could be Weston Cemetery, Lexington, and Sweeney Woods.
PLEASE READ THEIR RULES FOR VISITING. TAKE ONLY PHOTOS AND LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS.
Trails may be muddy depending on rainfall just before the outing, so be ready for that.
Tick and insect protection will be highly advised.
Link to Parklands Foundation Preserves; Merwin Preserve link. PLEASE study sub links with rules, trail maps, and history of the preserve.
Route Google Map from QuickTrip to Merwin
AGENDA:
5am: Leave Quick Trip station at Neil and I74 (meeting here because of construction at Circle K on Cunningham)
6am: Potty Stop at BP in Towanda.
6:15am: Arrive at Merwin West gate parking lot. NOTE: DO NOT PARK ON ROAD. IF FULL, WILL HAVE TO GO AROUND TO NORTH GATE LOT AND FIND US HIKING FROM NORTH.
619am sunrise
The BP is our closest bathroom available, about 10 minutes from Merwin.
We can stay here as long as we like. Please study trail maps and materials about Merwin if you are going.
Food-noon area meal. We can bring our own, grab gas station food, or find something in the Bloomington area. I'm open to suggestions from participants. Food places that are close is not all that available.
We can explore other preserves west of Bloomington if we want to, 20 minute drive roughly.
733pm sunset
801pm dusk
PS: Route from Merwin to Chinquapin is included if we decide to go there. Ridgetop is close to there as well.