Exploring the Newaygo River Valley Wonderland and "Feeling Good" About it
Newaygo County was named after Chippewa Indian Chief: Naw-wa-goo, one of the signers of the Treaty of Saginaw in 1812. The county has over 230 natural lakes and over 350 miles of rivers and streams. Three huge dams were built after the turn of the century: Croton, Hardy and Newaygo. Croton and Hardy Dams remain today, with Hardy the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi.
The Muskegon River continues to be the main attraction for summer cottage residents and fishermen, who find it nearly the best source for steelhead in the spring and salmon in the fall anywhere in Michigan. Hiking is excellent, as over half the county is contained in the Manistee National Forest. Canninghill Piers Showflat
Hiking is becoming a desired activity for Newaygo tourists. The ultimate reason to hike is for personal enjoyment, but there are other goals that can be achieved when hitting a trail. Most people enjoy hiking because it makes them feel good to exercise and enjoy nature. Here are three reasons why hiking is becoming so popular.
Getting outdoors - Most of us live and work indoors the majority of our everyday lives. To be outdoors and just enjoy being outside and experiencing all that entails can be the ultimate reason people like to hike. Fresh air, the sounds of birds and other animals, tall trees, blue sky, majestic creeks, flowing rivers and deep valleys all contribute to a sense of contentment and even inner connection to nature and the earth.
Physical Health - Hiking is a very physically healthy activity. It helps improve your circulation, strengthen muscles, build stronger bones, and contribute to overall as opposed to simple walking for exercise, work a variety of different muscles due to the uneven terrain that is found on hiking trails. Climbing, even if it is just up a steep embankment, will increase your strength and improve your sense of balance.
Emotional Health - Leaving the hustle and bustle of our daily routine to hike through trails and into valleys inevitably has a calming effect. Hiking is a great way to ease your mind. There is something that happens after your first few steps on the trail, all the heavy burdens you were carrying around in your mind become a little lighter and sometimes disappear. It becomes easy to open up your mind and think about issues and people. You may very well find your mind opening up to ideas or answers to problems that you had before. It is a great opportunity to contemplate subjects you may have consciously forgotten as well as some that may be fresh in your mind. Hiking simply "feels good".
Here are a few recommended hiking trails in Newaygo County to explore and experience the great outdoors in Michigan. The following rails ranges from one to five miles long:
The Loda Lake Wildflower Sanctuary found its beginnings in 1938 when the US Forestry Service invited the Federated Garden Club of Michigan to participate in creating a sanctuary for native Michigan plants. The area consists of a small lake, a marsh and wooded area. There are over 150 different species of plants, wildflowers, trees and vegetation marked with posts that correspond to the trail guide available. The trail is about 1. 5 miles long. A picnic area with grills and an outhouse is available for use by the trail head. The sanctuary is located about 7 miles north of White Cloud. Head north out of White Cloud on M-37 and turn west at 5 Mile Road, then turn north onto Felch Ave and drive until you see the sign below. The entrance is right in front of the sign.
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