Clear Springs- A Clear Choice

Whenever I have to go to Muskegon, I try to make time to hike some or all of the trails at Clear Springs Nature Preserve at Montague.

Yesterday, I left the house early enough that I had time to walk all the trails there by walking fast. There are a series of loops that all return to or near the parking area. I only missed a few little connectors, and didn't have to do very much twice. I like that.

One area has been selectively logged. I looked on their web page, and this may be to remove diseased red pine.

It was too early for even hints of wildflowers. I've been pleasantly surprised the last few times I was there to find some nice plant material. It was pretty junky when I first found it. Perhaps they have been trying to remove invasives.

Maybe the anteater is also eating alien plants. She was there in 2012, and she's still there!

Carleton Creek (or Landford Creek depending on the map you look at) runs down the center. This was the site of a small fish hatchery in the 1950s. The creek was dammed at one spot and it creates this nice pool. Later in the year this gets clogged with algae, but it's clear and open in March.

Not sure why I never noticed this giant before. This is a red oak that has to be at least 10 feet dbh- diameter at breast height- which is how trees are measured.

I'm getting to like the East Boundary Trail. It's the farthest from the traffic on US 31. You can hear that from anywhere in the preserve, but it's really loud on the west side.

At any rate, I hustled and did the West and East Boundaries, Rim, Spring, Pond Side and Crest Trails.

Miles walked in 2026- can you believe it? 99.9

Clear Springs Nature Preserve, Montague, MI. all trails 3.6 miles.

Oh, and an unexpected job. The kitchen sink peed all into the cupboard. Nearly totally clogged pipes. Cleaned out the gunk, reinstalled, cleaned that part of the kitchen. Last time this was done was 2016. Homeownership is not so much fun anymore.

See other hikes at Clear Springs See And the Solution

Clear Springs Again

  This is becoming my "go-to" hike when I'm driving home from the Muskegon area. I had a vendor event this afternoon, and it was just after 5 pm when I reached Montague, which is where this nature preserve is.

Sometimes Carleton Creek is littered with pollen or catkins because it's very slow-moving. But today, the pond was quite lovely.

I was interested to see what flowers were in bloom. The Canada mayflower, Maianthemum canadense, is opening up everywhere.

And this preserve has a lot of maple-leaf viburnum, Viburnum acerifolium. Very common, but an attractive native shrub. These buds are not quite open all the way yet, but you can sure see why it is called "maple-leaf."

My personal favorite of the day is wild or false sarsaparilla, Aralia nudicaulis. Although this can be a substitute for the flavoring, it's not the primary source, which comes from a different plant.

The flowers are just opening. They are "fireworks" balls of blossoms beneath the leaves.

Artsy polka-dots on a maple leaf. This is probably caused by a fungus.

And finally, one more reflection in Carelton Creek. The late afternoon light was good for reflections. It was cool and calm in the nature preserve. Even though it's pretty close to the freeway, it feels quiet and peaceful. I was really tired when I started to walk, but felt rejeuvenated when I finished. I think I walked about 3 miles.

The vendor event went pretty well. I did about average. Can't complain about that!

Montague County, MI, Clear Springs Nature Preserve. 3 miles

See Clear Springs at the End of the Day