Directions: Exit I-80, I-94, at State 49 North. 49 ends at
the entrance to the Indiana Dunes State Park. Ask the attendant at the gate
for a trail map. Take the first road to the right and follow to the end. Park at the
Wilson Shelter. Most trails can be accessed from here.
Trail Information: My favorite and most scenic is the "Ridge"
(Trail # 9) 3.75 mile, starts at the north end of the Wilson Shelter parking lot.
The trail crosses a small boardwalk, veers to the right and takes a left at the big tree
in the middle of the trail. Follows 1.2 mile hilly, sand and dirt trail to a picnic table.
Takes a left and continues up to the "Ridge". The trail winds up
and down a narrow path atop a dune ridge, with a climax forest to the left and Lake
Michigan shoreline to your right. At the peak of the trail, the view of the park, lake and
on a clear day Chicago, is breathtaking. Be careful, it's a great workout, but can
be an ankle buster. Lots of roots to watch for and plenty of scenery to distract
you.
Miscellaneous Information: There is an entrance fee from Labor to
Memorial Day. Numerous trails marked # 1 - 10 , from .75 to 5.5 mile in length.
Easy to rugged. Combinations and loops of the trails are easy for long runs
(#2 and # 10) or serious hill work outs (# 9 and #8).
Craig Henderson
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