William C. Sterling State Park (Blog Hike #659)

Trail: (unnamed)

Hike Location: William C. Sterling State Park

Geographic Location: east of Monroe, MI (41.91112, -83.33872)

Length: 3.1 miles

Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)

Date Hiked: August 2017

Overview: A lollipop loop on asphalt trail around several lotus-filled lagoons.

Park Information: http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?type=SPRK&id=497

Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=639229
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: South of Detroit, take I-75 to North Dixie Highway (exit 15).  Exit and go east on North Dixie Highway.  Drive North Dixie Highway 0.9 miles to the signed park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, pay the park entrance fee, and drive the main park road 1.7 miles to the small trailhead parking area on the right.  The trailhead parking area sits opposite the large beach parking area on the left.

The hike: Established in 1920, William C. Sterling State Park’s 1300 lakefront acres comprise one of Michigan’s oldest state parks.  The park was established to preserve one of the few remaining undeveloped stretches of Lake Erie shoreline, and it remains Michigan’s only state park on Lake Erie.  The park features a 256-site modern campground as its main amenity, though its lake access for swimmers and boaters comes in a close second.

The area has a history of environmental contamination: swimming in Lake Erie was illegal for many years due to water pollution from Detroit’s heavy industry.  During the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, several multi-million dollar renovation and environmental clean-up projects removed toxic sediment and improved the lake’s water quality.  Today swimming is once again allowed at the park’s beach, although the water is still checked for toxins constantly.

            As part of the renovation, in 2003 a system of asphalt paths was constructed through a lagoon-filled area that had been closed for years due to contamination.  Also open to bicycles, the paved trails do not make for compelling hiking except in late July and early August.  At that time of year, the large lotus colonies that live in the lagoons bloom, thus transforming the lagoons into a sea of yellow flowers.  The area does offer good wildlife and waterfowl viewing year round.  I came here on a seasonally cool Sunday morning in early August and had a nice hike even with a decent amount of trail traffic.

Trailhead at parking area

            The asphalt trail departs from the signed trailhead at the far (west) end of the parking area.  After crossing the asphalt campground bike trail, you cross an iron bridge with wooden deck over a narrow spot in a lagoon.  Across the lagoon to the left stands an ugly coal-fired DTE Energy plant.  One of the major sources of the environmental contamination of yesteryear described in the introduction, this plant reminds you that this area still hosts heavy industry today.

            After crossing the bridge, at 0.15 miles the asphalt trail splits to form its loop.  We will eventually turn left to hike the loop clockwise, but first take a brief detour straight ahead to visit Lotus Pavilion and get your first view of the lotus colony.  The pavilion features some benches and some interpretive signs that talk about the flora and fauna that live in and near these lagoons.

Lotus-filled lagoon

            The trail heads southwest atop a dike that separates two of the lagoons.  Because the trail follows these dikes for its entire distance, the terrain is almost dead flat.  Other nice flowers such as Queen Anne’s lace add to the scenery in season, and I also saw a muskrat swimming in the lagoon.  A high voltage power line draped across the lagoon’s southern end keeps the industrial aura persistent.

            As you approach the park’s southern boundary, the trail curves 90 degrees right to begin heading northwest.  1 mile into the hike, you reach a metal observation platform that stands about 18 feet above the lagoon.  24 steps lead to the top of the platform, but the platform’s location directly under the high voltage power line makes it a rather uninviting spot for wildlife viewing.

Observation platform

            At 1.25 miles, you reach the park’s southwestern corner where the asphalt trail splits.  The trail going straight leads out of the park to the River Raisin National Battlefield, so you want to turn right to continue the main loop.  Many large basswood trees live along the lagoon here, and several benches make nice places to sit and rest near the midpoint of this hike.

            For the next 0.7 miles the trail traces a zig-zag path along the park’s western boundary.  A golf course lies beyond a ditch to your left, and the lotus colony appears again on your right before you reach an area filled with sedges.  This area’s shallow water and relative seclusion make for good waterfowl viewing.  My bird count included an egret, several swans and 2 swan nests, and numerous kinds of ducks.

An egret and ducks

            Just past 2.5 miles, the asphalt trail splits again, now at its northeast corner.  The trail going left leads to an alternate trailhead that is popular with anglers, so you want to turn right.  More straight, level walking on asphalt path closes the loop.  Turn left to return to the trailhead parking area.