Ice Age Megafauna of SW MI (Hoadley Nature Trail)

Description

Until about 11,000 years ago, mammoths, giant beavers, and other massive mammals roamed the landscapes of Southwest Michigan. Their demise has been blamed on the first Americans, who allegedly hunted them to extinction, but new studies suggest otherwise. Join the Harbor Country Hikers as Pat Fisher, President HCH, discusses who they were, the possible reasons for their demise and leads a wintry hike through the well-hidden Hoadley Nature Trail.
 
Watkins Park is known for its Timbertown playground and three baseball diamonds used by local youth teams. But the southern two-thirds of the 30-acre park are dedicated to natural areas — and that area is filled with a network of hiking trails. Hoadley Nature Trail is home to a wide variety of wetland flora and fauna because it is a wetland. The open section loops around the Schwark Stormwater Wetland and the forested section is a mature wet-mesic flatwoods.
 
HCH has an All-Terrain Rollator which may be reserved for use on our hikes. Reservations are made by Emailing harborcountryhikers@gmail.com on a first-come first-served basis. This will be a good hike to try our rollator.
 
In case of inclement weather, check website/ FB page the day of hike for cancellation/ rescheduling notice. Dress in layers, a warm cap, and sturdy boots and bring plenty of water. Depending on the weather, there may be some muddy or icy areas. HCH hikers observe federal and state guidelines so mask wearing is optional.

Theme: Ice Age Megafauna of SW MI
Venue: Hoadley Nature Trail
When: Saturday, Feb 4, 2023 @ 2 PM Eastern
Estimated Presentation Time: 15 minutes
Hike Leader: Pat Fisher, President HCH
Estimated Time: 2 hours
Hiking Distance: 1.15 miles
Physical Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Location: Nels Dr and Locust St, Three Oaks, MI 49128
Parking GPS: 41.796763, -86.618947 (DD)
 
Directions: From US-12 turn south onto Nel’s Drive (Harding’s grocery store is on the corner). Continue across Locust Street into Watkins Park parking area. We will gather between the parking lots.