West Beach Trails – one of the 1966 Hiking Challenge at West Beach is a combination of three trails, that demonstrate the fascinating process of dune and plant succession, from the bare sand beach to the wooded dunes. The hike was 3.7 miles long and had several climbs and descents in elevation. The 1966 West Beach Hike in 2026 will take place on June 20th, 2026
This adventure begins with a short hike to the shoreline, where you will be treated to breathtaking views of Lake Michigan along a sandy, bare edge. This starting point illustrated the initial stage of plant succession. When moving southward, away from the lake, you’ll find the first plant community, known as pioneer plants or dune builders. These included marram grass, sand reed grass, and cottonwood trees, essential for stabilizing the dunes.
If you are with a Ranger, they may emphasize the importance of staying on the trail to protect these vital plants that hold the dune. After traversing the initial dune and descending the lee side, the hike encounters the next plant community, featuring little blue stem and sand cherries.
When walking through an enchanting stand of Jack pines with bearberries nestled in the understory, this area is marked another stage of ecological succession. This hike’s journey continues with an impressive ascent on a set of stairs, boardwalks, and bridges. This route takes hikers over an intermittent pond, showcasing the rolling dunes and a few dune blowouts, areas sculpted by the wind and ready for pioneer plants to stabilize them.
The trail has waysides illustrating her significant ties to the area. Reaching the top of the staircase, we entered the wooded dunes, the final stage of succession. Here, protected from the winds, the pioneer plants had given way to towering oak, sassafras, and witch hazel, creating a serene and lush environment. The views from the high vantage point are remarkable and worth the climb. Once descending the stairs on the leeside hikers will enter a low flat area, which once had dunes.
The dunes were hauled off by sand miners. Even here plant succession has returned, and native plants are now flourishing despite the heavy impact on the resources. Traveling along Long Lake you’ll see sweeping views of aquatic natives, beaver lodges, cranes and some six-lined racerunners. The final segment of the hike leads hikers back into the wooded dunes with steep climbs and sandy soil.
Hikers will awe at the sweeping views of the National Park from the high vantage point. One can pick up a Dianaโs Dare completion sticker at the Visitor Center, since this challenge coincides with the West Beach hike.
Throughout this engaging hike, if you are hiking with a Ranger, you’ll gain insights into the different plant communities that are enlightening and appreciated by all participants. The views along the trail are fantastic, offering a deep connection to the natural landscape.
At the hike’s conclusion, the group gathered to log their trail completions for the 1966 Hiking Challenge schedules, adding another memorable experience to your journey of exploration and discovery at West Beach Trails.
The 1966 Hiking Challenge is a series of 19 hikes that total 66 miles to celebrate the Indiana Dunes National Park designation in 1966. You can find a list of trails included in this challenge at https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/1966-hiking-challenge.htm.
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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.
