CHAPTER MEETINGS

Meetings are at 7:00 PM at the Barry Township Hall on Orchard Street in Delton the second Wednesday of each month, and are open to the public. Next meeting May 11.

Trivia: What is the most abundant large game species in North America? (Hint: They often have twins).

Trail Development

Sections of the NCT by Jerry Pattok.

On a mild April day my wife Sandi, my daughter Laura and I started out along the North Country Tail on the segment that runs from Middleville to Irving along the Thornapple Trail, also known as the Paul Henry Trail.

The Thornapple Trail is a part of the rails to trails program of the federal government. The Middleville to Irving section is 3 ½ miles of smooth pavement along the old C&O rail bed. Several of the old cement monuments from the railroad can still be seen along the trail.

The terrain is nearly flat which makes for an easy Sunday afternoon stroll for the youngest to the oldest family members. We saw them all this sunny afternoon—senior citizens out for a stroll; babies in strollers being pushed by dads and moms; little kids with training wheels on their bikes; roller bladers; bicyclists; hikers; joggers; runners and family dogs on leashes out for a run.

The trail begins at a park located just west of the town hall in Middleville. The park is south of Main Street along the Thornapple River, and it has a gazebo and benches for just sitting and enjoying the view. The river is wide through here because it’s just upstream from the old dam, which provided hydroelectric power to the area in the first part of the Twentieth Century. Parking is available at no cost at the municipal lot adjacent to the park.

Leaving the town of Middleville the trail cuts through the old backwater of the dam. Three bridges over the water provide a picturesque view of the backwaters. We saw several species of ducks, geese and swans. We were all enthralled by the sight of a goose nesting in the shallows of a little island. The quacking of the ducks and the croaking of the frogs heralded the approaching spring. We encountered a pair of swans swimming leisurely downstream. Red-twigged dogwood showed bright red against the still gray backdrop of the early spring landscape.

The two and a half miles of trail from Middleville to the bridge over the Thornapple provide frequent views of the Thornapple River. The trail is built up through lowlands that have standing water now. The water will disappear as spring gives way to summer. The new-growth forest that covers much of Southwest Michigan, that is not farmland,

shades much of the trail. The month of May will bring an abundance of wildflowers to these woods – spring beauties, adder’s tongue, May apples among other wildflowers will grace the trailside. Wooden markers are placed at one-half mile intervals along the trail and gates, which can be closed and locked, are at the ends. The bridge over the Thornapple River is 2 ½ miles from Middleville. The bridge affords a picture puzzle view of the Thornapple. There are benches to sit and rest and a small shelter with a bench and backpack pegs. It’s only another mile to the end of the trail in Irving. The parking lot is located just off McCann Road on the southern edge of Irving. Signs in the parking lot mark both the North Country Trail and the Thornapple Trail. The Thornapple Trail continues for about another 1.7 miles to Irving Road, but it is not paved. The North Country Trail follows McCann Road to M-37 and then on to Peets Road. About half a mile down Peets Road the next section of certified North Country Trail begins.

Directions:

Middleville

From the light at the intersection of M-37 and Main St. in Middleville, go east 0.2 miles to the park next to the river in downtown Middleville.

McCann Road

From the intersection of M37 and M43 just west of Hastings, go north on M37 for 4.9miles. Turn right onto McCann Rd and go 0.7 miles to the parking lot on the left side of the road

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING?

Tiffany Stramm presented a GPS workshop for old and new members at our April 13 meeting. The presentation was informative with a lot of group interaction. Thank you Tiffany.

Thank you to those businesses that support our chapter:

11235 S. Wall Lake Rd., Delton 269-623-5005

Provide storage for the Chief Noonday Tool Crib.

Long Lake and Chief Noonday Outdoor Centers 269-795-3856

Provide use of lodge for scheduled Chapter winter hikes

Adopters Needed

Dinners at the W.K. Kellogg Manor House

The White Tailed Deer.