Families, Get Active, Recipes, Seniors

5 Springs Hikes Plus Bonus Hiker’s Granola Recipe

5 Springs Hikes Plus Bonus Hiker’s Granola Recipe

 

Get outside and enjoy a gorgeous hike through luscious green woods, along curving bluffs and across sandy shores. These five trails are perfect for a spring walk through the woods.

 Misty Acres

11818-11998 N. Manistee County Line Rd. in Thompsonville

 The Borwell Preserve straddles the Benzie-Manistee County line and includes The Misty Acres Trail. The 1-mile trail loop offers views of the Bestie River and the John J. Helstrom Quiet Area. A map in pdf format is available.

 

Empire Bluff Trail

1/2 mile down Wilco Road off of M22 about 2 miles south of downtown Empire

 The hilly 1.5-mile roundtrip trail leads to a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan and South Bar Lake. On clear days, South Manitou Island is visible. A map in pdf format is available.

 

Grand Traverse Commons

Gray Drive behind ELF (located at 1371 Gray Dr.) in Traverse City

Behind the Grand Traverse Commons is a network of trails with of a mix of forested hills and valleys and a pretty stream. There are several routes you can take, depending on how far you want to hike. Start on Gray Drive, which is located off Cottageview Drive. The trailhead is at the bend in the road.

 

Grass River Natural Area

6500 Alden Hwy. (Co. Road 618) in Bellaire

Seven miles of easy walking trails winds through the natural area in several loops. View Finch Creek from the Woodland Loop or take advantage of the wildlife viewing areas along the Grass River on the Sedge Meadow Loop. A map in a pdf format is available.

 

Alligator Hill Trail

Stocking Road near the corner of Day Farm Road in Empire

 The 9-mile trail is divided into several loops allowing hikers to choose a distance. The trails are divided into easy, intermediate, and advanced loops. A map in pdf format is available.

 

-Hiker’s Granola Recipe-

Fuel up for an afternoon outside on the trails with this healthy, kid-friendly recipe for Hiker’s Granola. Make it in bulk so the whole family can enjoy it, or for an everyday snack, cut the recipe in half.

Yield: 64 cups

Portion size: 1/4 cups, 256 servings per batch

Ingredients:

  • 40 cups rolled oats
  • 3 1/3 cups olive oil
  • 3 3/4 cups honey
  • 12 cups raisins
  • 6 cups silvered almonds
  • 9 cups shredded coconut

 Directions:

 Combine all of the ingredients and mix together.

 

By: Carly Simpson, MyNorth Media