Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve 1.23.21

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Lion’s Den Gorge Nature Preserve 1.23.21

Blue skies and a bright blue Lake Michigan made the most amazing backdrop for today’s hike. I love the entrance to this trail…walking directly east on a boardwalk until Lake Michigan comes into view. The sun’s reflection off the water was almost blinding. Or maybe it’s just the fact that we have barely seen the sun the past few weeks that it seemed so bright! Either way, it instantly put me in the best mood.

“Little darling, it’s been a long cold lonely winter 

Little darling, it seems like years since it’s been here

Here comes the sun do, do, do

Here comes the sun

And I say it’s all right” -George Harrison

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I was happy I brought along my ice spikes for my boots. I got them for Christmas and hadn’t had a chance to try them out yet. The boardwalk and trail were pretty icy so I was definitely glad I had them. They worked awesome! We followed the Cliff Trail, which runs parallel to the lake, giving views most of the way. The view is just gorgeous up high on the bluff. It’s always neat when you get to the most northern part and cross the bridge over the gorge. Then, we took the stairs down to the lake, seeing it in full view was breathtaking. It was so peaceful and we had the whole beach to ourselves. I tried to soak in all the sunshine and views on the way back. I really needed this today, a peaceful hike with the warm sun beating down.

This trail is very flat and would be good for all levels. It’s wide too, so it’s good for families with smaller kids as well. If you choose to go down to the lake, it is a long way down to the lake with multiple staircases. It’s a gorgeous hike even if you don’t go down! 

And that my friends is today’s Tail from the Trail. 

Cheers!

Ellen 

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Hike Details

Out and back hike recommended for views, but you can loop as well! Either choice is about a 2 mile hike.

LION’S DEN LOCATION GOOGLE MAP

LION’S DEN TRAILS MAP

Bathroom facilities: NO

Bonus Track

I highly recommend ice spikes when hiking in the winter. I have the Kahtoola MICROspikes and they worked really well. I didn’t think it would make that big of a difference. I even had someone stop and ask me about them, so clearly they had been slipping a bit when I hadn’t at all.