On the Trail: Coy Mountain offers a great trail and Torch Lake views | GO

It was my initial time to hike the Coy Mountain Pure Region in late September, but it will not be my last. It rises around the southern conclude of Alden overlooking Torch Lake. Whilst it may not be huge, close to 18 acres, the gorgeous path process redone in 2018 by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is 1 of the most desirable all-around the lake.

In modern a long time GTRLC has opened the Maplehurst Normal Space, Torch Lake Character Protect and Torch River Ridge Mother nature Protect. Two of them providing pretty limited sights of the lake as a result of trees. The one particular together Torch River delivers none. Coy Mountain’s views are also via trees, but has what I consider a much more captivating vista of the turquoise coloured waters from a vantage point 175 feet earlier mentioned Torch Lake.

The superior information is that it is selected non-hunting, for the reason that of its proximity to properties and the village. November with firearms deer looking year coming up will make a very good time to properly hike up to the prime of Coy Mountain, and the sights of Torch that time of year really should be plentiful.

It is not a prolonged hike, just beneath 2 miles, and you can insert one more fifty percent-mile with a slight backtrack from the beginning of the path. You do climb about 170 feet, but the trail was a short while ago redone sidling the ridges so you are not regularly climbing. They slash back again and forth up the hill developing an much easier hike to the prime and supplying additional of a perspective of the beautiful forested terrain.

Coy Mountain dates again to 1885 when Reuben Coy decided to maintain a ridge forested in towering virgin hardwoods at the rear of his gristmill. It was the very last remnant of big maples and beeches still left right after the region experienced been closely apparent lower in the late 1800s through the increase of the lumbering period. The 11-acre tract remained in the loved ones until eventually the 1950s when the relatives deeded it to Helena Township to develop an spot village citizens could use and enjoy. Extra land was acquired by donations bringing the Purely natural Spot to its present-day size.

The very last virgin trees in the forest were regretably stolen in the mid-1990s, but the latest stand of American beech, sugar maples and hemlock that make up the forest are massive and amazing as you hike along the path beneath the towering trees.

This is a path for all seasons. With the hardwood forest, tumble is wonderful and spectacular. In winter season, in spite of the uphill character of the trails, snowshoeing could be a fun trek to the top rated. The uphills aren’t difficult the way they angle throughout the steeper slopes.

Spring, before leaves appear out mid-May well, will produce some magnificent Torch Lake views, and summer time with the ample forest will make for a cooler hike beneath the cover.