Fort Hill Trail

The Fort Hill Trail, one of the newest in Lake County, connects the Millennium Trail with the recently acquired and developed Four Winds Golf Club, with plans to extend it north of Gilmer Road as seen in this map (click to enlarge)...



The gold course segment is especially scenic, and as Nature reclaims the formerly sculpted fairways and greens by introducing a profusion of wildflowers and prairie grasses, biking or walking the paths is especially rewarding. Here's a sight that took my breath away -- taken from the "loop trail" which had been the golf cart path and overlooks a pond (originally a "water hazard.") The new bike bridge is visible in the background (click to enlarge)...



I've seen deer numerous times here, and the wildlife viewing area often rewards you with waterfowl sightings. I had my camcorder today and managed to get some footage of a pair of sandhill cranes browsing in the prairie grasses and also a muskrat swimming with grasses in his mouth...



So check out this new amenity, and keep your eyes open for wildlife. Parking is available at Lakewood Preserve or on Gilmer Road just west of Route 176. For more info on this trail, go here.