How did you start 2018?
I began the year by getting up at 5:00AM for a sunrise hike at the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy's Bundy Hill Preserve.
I wasn't alone in my determination to see the first sunrise of the new year from the highest oint in Isabella County - nine other nature lovers joined me for this hike. This has become an annual tradition. On January 1st 2017, a group of approximately 15 hikers made the same trek to begin the new year.
In 2017 we experienced a great sunrise. Unfortunately we were not so lucky this year. An overcast sky prevented us from seeing the sun. Still it was a great opportunity to start the new year off with a dose of nature.
While most of Isabella County is flat or gently rolling, Bundy Hill is part of a glacial moraine that rises above the rest of the county. The trail to the summit climbs more than 160 feet from the parking area and can be a bit of challenge when covered with snow.
It's easy to overheat when climbing hills in the winter. Remember to take it easy. You don't want to break a sweat when the temperatures are near zero degrees; when you stop moving the sweat means that you get cold fast. It's better to remove layers or open zippers and be a little chilled when beginning a winter hike than to freeze later once your clothes are sweat-soaked.
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| Starting up the final seep section of the trail. |
We arrived at the summit about 10 minutes before official sunrise (8:09AM). We stood around talking for a few minutes, hoping that the sun would break through the clouds. When it became evident that we were not going to get our wish we snapped a couple group pictures and headed on down the hill to get an early start to the new year.
While leaving I saw my first wildlife of the year - a pair of White-tailed Deer.
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