By Annabelle Otto
We’re fortunate to live in a city where nature is preserved. Over 200 parks continue to be open to the public during the pandemic in Ann Arbor, and studies have shown that being in nature makes us healthier, more creative, more empathetic, and more likely to pursue active engagement with the world around us. No wonder Gallup Park gets so crowded! If you’re looking for a quieter space to immerse yourself in nature, these three hidden gems are exceptional places to unplug.
Cherry Hill Nature Preserve
The first place my boyfriend and I explored was the Cherry Hill Nature Preserve. This beautiful preserve features a 1.6-mile loop for people and dogs alike. While there are small sections of wooden boardwalk closer to the Wetland Trail, most of the trails are dirt trails that would make it difficult for handicapped people to traverse. Dogs do need to be leashed when enjoying the trails, and you should be sure to clean up after them, but Cherry Hill provides waste disposal facilities at numerous points along the trail. Humans are not so lucky as to have facilities at Cherry Hill, so empty your bladder beforehand.
Unfortunately, parking at Cherry Hill is almost as nonexistent as facilities. You can only park on the side of the road close to the preserve entrance. A hand-drawn map encased in glass and wood greeted us at the entrance to the trail, and we found more maps dotted throughout the woods. The preserve is 15.5 miles wide and the map showcases one large main trail named the “Big Loop Trail” with a shorter trail, cutting the distance in half, called the “Shortcut Trail,” as well as a number of other trails.
At first, I was mildly irritated by the noise pollution. We heard cars driving through Dixboro nearby and planes overhead. But the trees do their best to block out the noise, and as we walked deeper into the preserve, most of the clamor faded away, and we became mesmerized by the tall trees that were spread out from each other to allow lots of sunlight through. Although the setting is peaceful, this trail demands some dexterity since the ground is uneven and loose sticks seem to pop up out of nowhere. We ambled through the Shortcut Trail and found ourselves on a dense, winding path that led to a small field where we watched the clouds mosey across the sky.
After that, we decided to go into the woods rather than take the North Trail, which borders the woods. The thicket of tall trees, after having been out in the open for the past half-mile, beckoned us. Near the entrance to the woods, we found a tiny loop called the Ash Trail off to the right. A charming placard at the entrance informs travelers that Boy Scout Troop 243, and specifically a boy named Tyler Allum, was in charge of creating this inviting trail in 2010. The Ash Trail takes you for a lovely stroll around a grove of ash trees. One such tree looked like it had been split in half by lightning (or old age) so that the tree curved downward until the tips met the ground, forming a wondrous arch to walk under. All of the different trail options definitely make for a captivating adventure.
Once we enjoyed the Ash Trail, we hiked through the sunny woods on the Woodland Trail, bending down to watch a spider make a thin web and stopping to listen to the birds. Since this is such a quiet and seemingly obscure spot, I can easily imagine bird watchers spending hours here. After feeling like the only two people on the earth in a beautiful woodland utopia, we crossed paths with a jogger, but she turned up another path, leaving the Wetland Trail clear for us to explore.
A wooden boardwalk took us to a bench where we watched the sun’s rays dance over the wetlands. This was a pond encircled by trees, grasses, and reeds. The trail back to the entrance continued to awe us as the terrain expanded and grew into hills filled with many different species of trees. The Wetland Trail meanders around the pond in a U-shape, and if you continue to the left of the wetlands, you’ll find yourself on the High Bluff Trail, which offers a more difficult hiking experience. If you’re not up for a hilly hike, the Wetland Trail connects back to the Woodland Trail and eases you out of the preserve.
As with most nature preserves, horses are not allowed, and the signage at Cherry Hill was compelled to reiterate that to the public. The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk. Camping, hunting, ground fires, alcohol and illegal substances, weapons, fireworks, littering and dumping, and unauthorized vehicles are not allowed. These rules have allowed Cherry Hill Nature Preserve to become the sanctuary that it is, a pocket of woodland delight that will leave you with both a sense of peace and adventure.
Cherry Hill Nature Preserve is located at 6375 Cherry Hill Road, Superior Charter Township, MI 48198. You can find directions and information online at, superiortownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Cherry-Hill-Nature-Preserve.pdf.
Saginaw Forest
The School for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Michigan is responsible for our next revitalizing outing. Saginaw Forest was a gift to the University of Michigan in 1903 by University Regent Arthur Hill. A map at the trailhead displays the 80-acre parcel of land, and there are similar maps available throughout the woods. Tall grasses greet you as you walk toward a pavilion housing four simple picnic tables, trash and recycling bins.
As we left the pavilion behind, the everyday noises of modern civilization melted away as the birds chimed in. We watched two baby squirrels chase each other up and down a mossy tree. The dirt trail gets a little more difficult here as you enter a slight decline into the woods—watch out for roots, sticks, and fallen branches.
Older trees farther down the trail remind you of the care and preservation of this forest. We were greeted by a collage of green leaves and gray-brown bark, the sunlight giving depth to the scene that looked so much like a painting. Looking down the decline, the path descends deep into the dense forest beyond. Many tree species are planted in groups, like conifers, maples, and deciduous hardwood stands. Another interesting tree here is Murray’s Birch. The website for the Saginaw Forest states that, “Saginaw Forest is one of only two known sites in the world of the rare Murray’s Birch (Betula murryana), discovered and named by U-M forest ecologist, Burt Barnes.” Not only does Saginaw Forest offer grand views, but tiny details of elegance as well, like small flowers with thin petals of washed-out purple and the smell of decomposing logs covered with moist, delicately feathered moss.
This forest functions as a field site for students studying soil, forest, and lake ecologies. Third Sister Lake, a small body of water contained within Saginaw Forest, is the subject of a fascinating study if you’re interested in how natural habitats are altered by increasingly urbanized contexts. The chloride in parking lot de-icing salts has resulted in meromixis, which means Third Sister Lake has very little dissolved oxygen—there is scarce life in the water in the form of aquatic animals, the food chain has been ruined by the chloride run off—but that doesn’t mean the woods surrounding the lake aren’t thriving with life.
We turned right down the trail, which took us to the wetlands. A wooden boardwalk allowed us passage through a forest of reeds taller than we were. Then, the path split into two, the right path ran alongside the border of the forest and around a stand of historic white pines. The path to the left took us to a clearing by Third Sister Lake, a red dragonfly trailing behind us. We soaked up the sunshine by the still lake.
I closed my eyes and thought about how beautiful harmony can be between man and nature. Then I opened my eyes to see the chloride-filled lake and felt remorse. All we can do is fight for healthier spaces and appreciate those moments of harmony we can find.
The rest of our walk was a relaxed stroll through the trees. Another loop presented itself, smaller than the last, only about 300 feet before merging back with the main path. In another 400 feet, there were three trail options: complete the circle around the lake to the left, or take one of the other two paths deeper into the forest. One led almost in a direct line to the service entrance of the forest. The other was a 0.5-mile loop through the thick trees. No matter where you go in this forest, you’ll find that the trees breathe life into you.
This trailhead was established as a partnership between the University of Michigan and 2|42 Community Church, and as such, visitors are welcome to use the bathroom and refill water bottles at the 2|42 Community Center, which is open from 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sundays. Saginaw Forest is open from dawn to dusk daily. Your dog can come with you on this trip too, however, there are no facilities to dispose of pet waste. You’ll have to bring your own leash and poo bags if you want to bring your fuzzy walking buddy! The University of Michigan asks that you do not venture off of the trails. Bicycles are not allowed on or off the trails. Alcohol, fires, camping, and outdoor cooking are banned. There is also no fishing or swimming in Third Sister Lake.
The entrance to the Saginaw Forest trail neighbors 2|42 Community Center, located at 648 South Wagner Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103, so there’s plenty of parking. Learn more about Saginaw Forest online at seas.umich.edu/research/field_research_sites/saginaw_forest.
Nan Weston Nature Preserve
My dad was my walking companion for my third expedition. Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow is a bit of a drive if you live in Ann Arbor, but it’s well worth it if you are in desperate need of solitude and quiet.
When we approached the trailhead, there were several signs. One advertised that no pets are allowed on the preserve. Another informed that the property is open to deer hunting in September—January, but only with written consent from the Nature Conservancy. Another sign charmingly offered an audio tour you can download on your phone while you walk. Since I was looking forward to the quiet of Sharon Hollow, I turned down its offer, but I love the idea of getting people more engaged with the history of a natural space by using audio tours and may listen next time I visit.
Sometimes a meticulously polished outdoor space like we have in the city is not what our soul craves. The foot trail led us into the forest where a thick blanket of leaves covered the ground. The crunch beneath my feet made me happy to be in my hometown again. There are no planes or cars here. My dad remarked that he doesn’t even hear many animals when he visits, no matter the season. A hunter we met on the trail contradicted him and said the most common animals here are turkeys and deer, though we didn’t see any on our hike.
After crossing a small clearing with power lines running above our heads, we found a boardwalk forming a safe path over the creeks that form on the forest floor after a good rain. In the springtime, the creeks become more substantial than they were when my dad and I visited. The boardwalk guided us for about a quarter of a mile before the trail returned to a footpath. The terrain was hilly and plenty of roots grabbed for my feet, but the view of the trees and the peace of being in the moment was overpowering. On top of a small hill, we found the long trail that leads to the River Raisin, which makes a loop of about a half mile before returning to the main path. You can hardly see where the trail diverges at first, but if you want your leisurely walk to last even longer, take this path. You’ll see many oddly shaped trees and nooks where you could easily imagine a fairy living. Bright green moss covered fallen logs like carpet. Further on, dark grapevines hung down from high branches, making me feel like I’d entered another world.
Eventually, we made it to the curved bank of the River Raisin. This river streams for almost 139 miles through several southeastern Michigan counties before flowing into Lake Erie. The hike’s destination invites you to rest and gaze at the waterway after the mile-long walk. When I came here as a child, strapped with a backpack filled with snacks and water, the hike was an intrepid endeavor where I struggled to keep up with my dad. Returning after so many years, the long, tiresome trek I remembered was almost funny because I realized it’s only a mile walk. But the feeling of whimsy and exploration had not left as I reentered this wondrous place.
Sit down in the clearing by the river and connect to the earth (because there are no picnic tables or benches), maybe even have a snack. The river moves steadily, but it still retains a mirror-like quality, reflecting the trees that stand at the edge of the bank like they’re about to dive in as I used to after fishing.
In mid-spring, the preserve boasts of over 260 species of wildflowers and other native plants, like large-flowered trillium, southern blue flag iris, starflower, and Dutchman’s breeches. Nan Weston Nature Preserve serves as a stopover habitat for yellow warblers, rose-breasted grosbeaks, barred owls, and pileated woodpeckers. Keep an eye on the preserve’s high treetops as spring courses through the forest. The Conservancy is working on expanding the path, soon visitors will be able to walk in a circle back to the parking lot, but for now, walk back the way you came and appreciate the woods all over again.
The trail is marked with diamond-shaped trail markers. Yellow markers also identify the borders of the property. Go farther and you’ll be on private property, which is not permitted. The Conservancy also asks that you refrain from using motorized vehicles or bicycles, bringing pets, hunting without a permit, camping, smoking, making a fire, collecting firewood, littering, and removing anything within the preserve.
Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow is located on Easudes Road in Manchester, MI. You can find out more about this nature preserve by visiting: nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/
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Having watched the moon set with the sun’s rising, the ancient lunar goddess Hekate is on my mind. And near the Huron river path this morning, a pokeweed plant reaches upward offering a message and posing a hieroglyphic sign as she raises her arms in slender scarlet sleeves. Fresh green pendants nestle beside fully ripe ink-purple fruit on her supple limbs where she drapes luxurious flowing tresses, trailing glossy clusters from slender stems. Wildly flowering, the goddess and plant step from forest edge as one to emerge into the waking world. Hekate dances within her chosen ally pokeweed, just as ancient Greeks thought nymphs ensouled their trees in mutual lifelong union.