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"History Comes to Life on the Talking Trail..."

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12 Point Talking Trail

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1008 - The Wonderful Wetland

Wetlands are places where the soil is covered by water either seasonally or year-round...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1012 - Brilliant Bugs

Aquatic insects spend part or all of their lives in the water. These bugs feed and breathe like...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1001 - Welcome to Brachiopod Trail

Trail Information
As you follow the Brachiopod Trail, remember to:

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1002 - Under the Sea

425 million years ago, during the Silurian Period, most of Door County was covered by a warm sea...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1003 - A Tree Falls in a Forest

When large trees fall over, they create an opening in the forest that lets in more sunlight. Areas that had...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1004 - Under the Surface

Beneath the wooden fence in front of you lies a fissure-a large crack in the bedrock that water can pass...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1005 - An Ancient Shoreline

Though this rocky ridge may resemble a stone fence, it was not constructed by humans. It was actually...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1006 - The Secret History of Clark Lake

Just beyond this wetland is Clark Lake. That lake formed in a very unique way, which allowed this wetland to...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1007 - Scales and Slime

Wetlands are very important to our scaly and slimy friends—reptiles and amphibians...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1009 - Remnants of an Ancient Forest

The small, tree-like plants here, known as club mosses (Lycopodium), are older than the dinosaurs...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1010 - The Other Side of the Dunes

While you may not be walking on the park’s sandy beach, you are still among the sand dunes...

30 Point Talking Trail

Talking Trail

1011 - Stone Souvenirs

This boulder is a traveler. It is a glacial erratic-a rock that has been picked up by glaciers and dropped...

BRACHIOPOD TRAIL (1.5 MILES)

Hike and learn about the history, plants, and animals of Whitefish Dunes. This 1.5-mile interpretive trail will introduce you to some of the treasures this special area has to offer. The trail gets its name from fossil remains of clam-like brachiopods that can be found throughout Door County.

  • Walk out onto the rock shelf shore to enjoy one of the most beautiful views in all of Wisconsin.

  • Rest on a Leopold bench and listen to songs of the Ovenbird and American Redstart.

  • Spend time on the boardwalk observing the wildlife and interacting with nature.

  • The steep forested dunes in this area are the highest dunes on the western shore of Lake Michigan.

 

The trail begins at a fossil rock monument near the shore in the picnic area. It is intended to be accessible for all people, but weather and terrain variations may cause some sections to be difficult. People using mobility aids may need some assistance to complete the 1.5-mile loop.

Special thanks to the Friends of Whitefish Dunes for funding the Talking Trail project!

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