Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: West Beach Hike
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- At the beginning of this hike, you’ll pass a wind-scoured depression known as a blowout. This depression contains a pond because the wind has swept the sand away exposing the water table.
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- After a brief stroll on the beach, you’ll start on the Succession Trail.
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- My brother Lou and our friend Mark Nickels came along on this hike.
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- The walkways and stairs at times take on the appearance of an M.C. Escher drawing.
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- The Indiana Dunes possess a great variety of plants, many growing in sandy soil.
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- Long Lake is blanketed by lily pads, fringed with cattails, and frequently visited by waterbirds.
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- Plenty of birds appear along the trail while hiking at West Beach. Lou is looking for a bird that he claimed was calling his name.
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- Mark descends the dune.
Learn more about the West Beach hike at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Chicago. Get the book on Amazon.com or buy just this hike on Trails.com.
