For our bird walk, participants will meet trip leader at the Cowles Bog – Greenbelt Trailhead at to look for spring migrants and secretive marsh birds. Total time about 2-3 hours.
PLEASE CHECK FOR EXACT TIMES FOR THE 1966 HIKE
Cowles Bog, a National Natural Landmark, is a mosaic of plant communities named in honor of Henry Chandler Cowles (pronounced “coals”), an impactful scientist and conservationist whose research around the Indiana Dunes helped define the field of ecology. The trail brings visitors through a diverse combination of different habitat types, including ponds, marshes, swamps, savannas, woodlands and beaches. Steep sand dunes near Lake Michigan can make this 4.7 mile hike a strenuous journey. Many visitors pack a lunch to enjoy at the shoreline while resting for the return trip (don’t forget to “pack out” your trash). Make sure to bring plenty of water, sun protection, and extra clothing layers as the the weather at the lake can be very different than at the parking lot.
The 1966 Hiking Challenge is comprised of 19 hikes that cover 66 miles of trail in the park- celebrating the park’s founding in 1966. The ranger-led hike for this trail meets at the Park Headquarters parking lot. For more information, including specific dates and trail locations, visit this Thing to Do and scroll down. Do not worry if you cannot make each of the 19 ranger-led hikes. A check-off sheet will be available at the Visitor Center or the the Paul H. Douglas Center for those who complete the hikes on their own.
Cowles Bog is a designated Indiana Birding Trail site and is included in the Indiana Audubon Society #21in21 Challenge. Downloaded your gamecard at 
indianaaudubon.org and visit 21 birding trail sites for a chance to win great prizes.
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
