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Jeff Lamont Preserve

Trail Details

County
Leelanau
Regions
Northwest
Latitude
N 45° 09' 59.76"
Longitude
W 085° 37' 31.80"
Distance
0.3 miles round-trip
Trail Type
Foot path
Terrain
Woods and wetlands
Difficulty
Easy
Nearest City or Town
Northport
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Lamont is part of a string of preserves that create a wildlife corridor across the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula and include Kehl Lake, the Cathead Bay portion of Leelanau State Park and Lighthouse West, and Finton Natural Areas. Within the heavily forested preserve are stands of old maple, beech and hemlock that allow birders to spot such canopy species as scarlet tanager and black-throated blue warbler.
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Description
The Lamont family purchased Jeff Lamont Preserve in 2008 and donated the land to the Leelanau Conservancy in honor of their son, who died at the age of 21 after a six-year battle with cancer. The Lamont family cottage is on nearby Cathead Bay, and Jeff grew up exploring the woodlands and forested wetlands of this 40-acre tract.

Lamont is part of a string of preserves that create a wildlife corridor across the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula and include Kehl Lake, the Cathead Bay portion of Leelanau State Park and Lighthouse West, and Finton Natural Areas. Within the heavily forested preserve are stands of old maple, beech and hemlock that allow birders to spot such canopy species as scarlet tanager and black-throated blue warbler.

The preserve’s short trail skirts wetlands and even standing pools of water, something to consider during the buggy months of June and July. But in the spring and early summer, the same habitat can be a colorful bouquet of woodland and wetland wildflowers, including pink lady’s slippers, swamp rose, marsh marigolds, Jack-in-the-pulpit and wild columbine.
Amenities & Services
Difficulty - Easy
Foot Path
Trail Guide

The Jeff Lamont Trail appears as an old two-track that swings to the east through a hardwood forest that forms a leafy tunnel over the path. Scattered pockets of wetlands appear on both sides of the trail before you reach a bench at Mile 0.15. The bench marks the end of the trail and can be a pleasant place to sit and gather your thoughts. Nearby, a “No Trespassing – Keep Out” sign is erected across the two-track, a reminder of why it’s so important to protect even the smallest parcels and the shortest trails.

Facilities

There are no facilities at the Lamont trailhead other than parking. But a half mile west of the trailhead, Christmas Cove Road ends at Christmas Cove Park. The Leelanau Township park includes 200 feet of Lake Michigan beach along with a picnic area and a large parking area.

Hours & Fees

The preserve is open year-round and there are no vehicle or entry fees.

Directions

The Jeff Lamont Preserve is an out-of-the-way place in the woods. From M-22 in Northport, head north on M-201 and continue as it becomes County Road 640 and swings east. Within 2.2 miles from M-22, turn north (left) on Kilcherman Road at an intersection featuring a nearby antique windmill. Within a mile, Kilcherman swings sharply west (left) and becomes Christmas Cove Road. Follow Christmas Cove Road for a half mile — 250 yards after passing Scott Road is the preserve’s posted trailhead on the road’s north side.

Information

For more information about the Jeff Lamont Preserve, contact the Leelanau Conservancy (231-256-9665; leelanauconservancy.org) or stop at the conservancy office, 105 North First St., in Leland. The office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For lodging or travel information contact Traverse City Tourism (800-872-8377; www.traversecity.com).

 


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