It was a multi-purpose hike day for National Trails Day- the first Saturday in June!
The Spirit of the Woods Chapter of the NCTA started with a 3.2-mile hike, some of which was on the NCT, and some was on a spur.
The spur took us to Loda Lake.
Some of you will know that Loda Lake is a wildflower sanctuary- the only one in the entire National Forest system in the country.
We were treated to a tour by the Forest Service Botanist, Carolyn Henne. This isn't a great picture, but it does show us looking at plants beside the trail while she talks about them.
I always learn things when I'm there because the plants are always in slightly different stages of their life cycles.
One of the best pictures of the day is poison sumac. You can see the bundles of leaves and the unripe berries forming on separate stems.
The Prairie Smoke is looking great. They have planted a variety of native plants in a sort of showcase garden.
Also blooming in that garden was a lot of Hairy Beardtongue, Penstemon hirsutus. I believe the butterfly is a Pipestone Swallowtail.
Best personal find of the day was some round-leaved sundew, a carniverous plant. There were also pitcher plants on site.
After that tour, we all went to Pete and Julie's cottage where they fixed burgers and brats, and we all chipped in with a potluck. This was followed by our annual meeting.
I saw lots more plants, but these are the best pictures. Long day, but all great.
Miles walked in 2026: 180.3
NCT Hike 100 Challenge 2026: 59.8
NCT in Newaygo County 1.8 miles. Birch Grove Trail 1.4 miles, Loda Lake 1.7 miles
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