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Huron Pines to host snowshoe hikes at 3 nature preserves

Courtesy Photo A train of visitors explore the gentle hills of Hubbard Lake Preserve on snowshoes during a January 2020 hike.

By Huron Pines

Northern Michigan–Conservation nonprofit Huron Pines is leading a series of guided snowshoe hikes in January and February at its three nature preserves in Alcona, Iosco and Presque Isle counties.

The winter hikes are free and open to the public. Participants should bring their own snowshoes, water and snacks and be dressed for the weather. Snowshoes may not be needed depending on snow depths.

Each event will last approximately 90 minutes and will begin with a brief welcome and introduction to the preserve by Land Protection Director Heather Huffstutler.

“All of our preserves have trails that are pretty gentle so it’s a good opportunity for people who are new to snowshoeing,” Huffstutler said. “Exploring this time of year will give us a good chance of seeing birds and the tracks of wildlife that make use of these preserves and we’ll take our time to observe those things.”

The snowshoe hike schedule is as follows:

Emily Min Hunt Preserve, 1-2:30 p.m. Jan 27

Emily Min Hunt Preserve is 2 miles off US-23 North on Shubert Highway in Presque Isle County. It is 428 acres of mixed hardwood forest and a former working apple orchard providing open grassland habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Lake Huron Coastal Preserve, 1 – 2:30 p.m. Feb 5

Lake Huron Coastal Preserve is on Dyer Road 6 miles south of Tawas City. It is 145 acres of woodlands bisected by US-23 and features nearly a mile of undeveloped shoreline. Huron Pines will transfer ownership of the property to Alabaster Township as a nature preserve this year.

Hubbard Lake Preserve, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Feb 12 Hubbard Lake Preserve is located at 720 Holiday Inn Rd. in the community of Hubbard Lake. Its 80-acre wooded property includes 1.5 miles of trails and gentle hills on Hubbard Lake’s Churchill Point.

The Feb 5 hike at Lake Huron Coastal Preserve coincides with the 71st annual Perchville USA, a festival sponsored by Tawas Area Chamber of Commerce, and is part of the day’s family-oriented events.

“We are excited to get people out there and show them this land which we’re in the process of acquiring as a township nature preserve,” said Cindy Fowler, Alabaster Township Parks & Recreation Committee co-chair. “We’ll be there to show people the beautiful trail that leads to the water and fill them in on all the progress we’re making.”

To RSVP, go to huronpines.org/events. Email heather@huronpines.org if you would like a loaner pair of snowshoes.

This series is supported by the Consumers Energy Foundation.

Huron Pines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1973 to conserve and enhance Northern Michigan’s natural resources to ensure healthy water, protected places and vibrant communities. With offices in Gaylord and Alpena, Huron Pines improves economic, environmental, educational and recreational opportunities throughout Northern Michigan. To learn more, visit huronpines.org.

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