Hikes & Bikes - Duneland Ski Club

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Our 2026 Hikes & Bikes

are off to a great start!

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Next Hike - IDNP Heron Rookery Trail!

Wednesday, April 15 - file your taxes early
and come here to relax!

The Heron Rookery Trail follows along a portion of the Little Calumet River that once featured over 100 Great Blue Heron nests. After 60 years of nesting here, the herons have moved on to new nesting grounds. These woods remain alive with dozens of birds including kingfishers, woodpeckers, and a wide variety of migrating and nesting warblers.

In spring, before the trees leaf out, the woodlands along this trail are blanketed with the most extensive display of spring wildflowers in the Indiana Dunes National Park. Trillium, spring beauties, and Dutchman’s breeches are just a few of the flowers you’ll see along this trail. Most years, the wildflowers peak from late April through mid-May.

Please note there are two parking lots for the Heron Rookery Trail. We will meet at the Main (east) Lot: 1336 N County Road 600 East, Michigan City, IN 46360 at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

This trail is part of the Indiana Dunes National Park, so please bring your parking pass. Note: there are no toilet facilities at this location. Bring your camera! As always, dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes, and bring your own water.

Following the hike, we can adjourn to the Gastro 49 Pub & Eatery at 361 N. Calumet Road in Chesterton.

Beautiful trilliums open up at Heron Rookery!

Eager hikers ready for Tolleston Dunes!

Tolleston Dunes is one of the most diverse habitats in the Indiana Dunes!

Named for the dune formations created by the receding Lake Michigan centuries ago, this rare black oak savannah habitat also includes wetlands and an amazing array of wildflowers through the seasons. This is a a 3.3-mile hike with moderate grades.

Twelve hikers - and Luna! - met at the Main Lot: 5800 U.S. Highway 12 (Dunes Highway), Ogden Dunes, IN 46368 at 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 26. Though it was too early for the spring wildflowers, the warm weather promised greenery and flowers soon!

Lunch followed at Wagner's Ribs in Porter. They had a great menu and handled the unexpected group very well.

An enthusiastic bunch on the trail!

Ah, the majesty of the Sandhill Cranes!

Every fall thousands of people drive south to the Jasper-Pulaski Reserve to see - and hear - the Sandhill Cranes fly in for a night's rest on their fall migration south. But the Sandhill Cranes show up in our backyard every year on their northern migration. It is quite a spectacle as they take off, spiral into the air, and gather into V-formations. Their loud calls, over-6-foot wingspans, and hopping preparations are fun to share with friends and family.

Out early to catch the action, we met at Cowles Bog at 8:30 AM on March 12, 2026.

Though the trails from here are great, this was never really about a hike. This was bird-watching to an extreme! We set up camp chairs close to the action, with binoculars and cameras to enhance the experience. If you couldn't make it this year, the Sandhill Cranes will be back - and so will we!

Thanks to Nanc Ashby for this great photo of these wonderful birds in flight.

Another great Winter Hike in the Indiana Dunes!

One of the oldest parks in the state system, Indiana Dunes State Park was established in 1925. This local gem provides year-round recreation, with popular Lake Michigan beaches in the summer and great hiking in all seasons.

Because not everyone has a State Park Pass, we met at the Dune Park Station of the South Shore Line, at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, February 10. Then we carpooled into the Park.

The trails were mostly packed snow cover - enough for the occasional cross-country skiers we encountered. This encouraged us to be daring, and we climbed the ridge at the Beach House Blowout and enjoyed great views of the shelf ice along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Taking Trail 9 out and Trail 10 back gave us a brisk 4.1-mile hike on a picture-perfect winter day!

For our après hike lunch we went to Joe & Freddy's, an old-fashioned diner with a great selection of food and beverages! It was BBQ Tuesday and everyone enjoyed a leisurely lunch.

Thanks to John and Pam Seaman, Jim O'Carroll, Sue Rosengard, and Ken Glucksberg for joining Hike Leader Jerry Mansell on a fun outing.

Winter hiking is a great way to experience the Indiana Dunes!

We met at the West Beach (376 North County Line Road, Gary) main parking lot at 9:30 AM on Wednesday, January 7. National Park pass is required.

Our hike took us on the Long Lake Loop, with great views overlooking Long Lake and the Great Marsh. In the spring, this area will highlight abundant lupines and the spectacular prickly pear blooms. Warm, clean restrooms were available at the parking lot - thanks, NPS!

And Tiny’s Coffee Bar in Miller Beach was a great place to warm up after the hike!

Thanks to Cheryl Wytovicz, Wes DeLeurere, Susan Brandstetter, Charlie and JoAnn Cleek, Chris and Dawn Disher, and Sue Rosengard for joining Hike Leader Jerry Mansell on this exhilarating adventure!