Mast Trail: Rouge Park

I often take groups to the trails which run north of Twyn Rivers Drive. Here is a look at the trail which runs south from here.

The trail leads through a Hemlock forest:

 

and rises to a forest dominated by Red and White Oak:

White and Red Oak leaves

detail of Red Oak bark:

There are also many White Pines:

White Pine (Pinus strobus)

The name “Mast Trail” comes from the use of White Pines as ship’s masts.

White Pine (Pinus strobus)

You can see the Rouge River:

Large-toothed Aspen:

Large-toothed Aspen (Populus grandidentata)

Large-toothed Aspen (Populus grandidentata)

Witch-hazel:

Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

and Basswood:

Basswood Tilia americana)

There is lots of evidence of Pileated Woodpecker drilling:

and the usual litter:

Many of the trails here are very steep:

A side trail runs along the Rouge River:

The area by the river is a large flood plain:

Some of the sights here:

Apple Cedar Rust fungus on Red-cedar

Turkey Tails

Ice

Scouring Rush

Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)

Miles Hearn

 

 

 

 

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