Story and photos by Joan Young, MCP Contributing Writer
Whenever you are in need of a short or moderate hike on the way from the Mason County area to Muskegon, Clear Springs Nature Preserve, just off the US 31 freeway near Montague, is a great option.
There are several loops of trails ranging from easy to moderately hilly, and visitors can walk nearly four miles with very little duplication of routes. From a couple of the trails, you can see the central creek, called Landford Creek on the posted map, though some maps label it Carlton Creek. In either case, it flows south into White Lake and then into Lake Michigan.
The property has a long history, with a trading post recorded there in 1848. It was owned for a time in the 1880s by Thomas White Ferry of Grand Haven, who was president of the United States for one day. After Henry Wilson, Vice President under Ulysses S. Grant, died in 1875, Ferry became vice president. A disputed election in which Rutherford B. Hayes won the Electoral College and Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote led to contested results in several states. Ultimately, Hayes was declared the winner, but because the inauguration was not held on a Sunday, Ferry technically served as president for one day, March 4, 1877.
The next known use of the land was as the North Star fish hatchery in the 1940s and 1950s. Remnants of the hatchery structures can still be seen, and the small dammed pond was created during that era.
First opened as a preserve shortly after 2000, Montague Township saved the 118-acre parcel from development using local funds combined with a grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.
The abandoned land was once plagued with non-native plants, including a stand of red pine that became diseased. These have been removed, and it will be interesting to watch how the vegetation recovers. Over the years I have visited the preserve, I have seen native plants making a comeback. Wildflowers are diverse. Common shrubs on the site include maple-leaf viburnum and witch hazel. There are large white pines and an enormous red oak along the West Boundary Trail. Some trees have interpretive signs.
The East Boundary Trail is level and dry, featuring upland hardwood trees, making it a beautiful autumn stroll. From the Rim Trail, there are views of the creek and pond.
West of the creek, the Pond Side Trail keeps hikers near the water, while the Crest Trail runs higher along the bank. These two meet at the Spring Trail, which leads back to the parking lot. The West Boundary Trail is closest to the freeway and has the most traffic noise.
On the Crest and Spring trails are marked bypasses that take visitors around the heads of valleys if they want to avoid the two largest hills on the property.
With a cut-across trail at the north end of the pond, a very short loop of a half mile is possible. Any one loop from the entrance parking area to the south end and back is just over 1 mile.
Exit US 31 at Fruitvale Road and go east a half mile to a large sign marking the entrance on the south side of the road. There is an additional parking lot on Henderson Road, south of Fruitvale.
Dogs must be kept on a leash. No camping or fires are allowed. There is a portable toilet at the entrance parking area and picnic tables at both parking areas. Entry is free.
If you are lucky — and have an imagination — you may even find the tree that looks like an anteater.
Contact the author at jhyshark@gmail.com
Enormous and ancient red oak tree
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