Hikes & Bikes - Duneland Ski Club

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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!