Back to the Dunes
For my August hike, I headed back to the beach in Northern Indiana. I was thrilled that my year-long venture through the 12 fabulous hikes recommended by Only in Indiana included a return visit to the Indiana Dunes.
While the Indiana Dunes are a popular destination in the summer, there is actually plenty to experience all year long.
Between the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks, there are more than 70 miles of trails to explore. Many of these trails take you right to the edge of beautiful Lake Michigan.
It may not be the ocean, but it sure feels like it!
And I’ll take hiking by the ocean any day!
Trail 9
For this trip to the dunes, I tackled Trail 9. This strenuous trail is a 3.6 mile loop, which is inside the Indiana Dunes State Park. That means there is a $7 entrance fee for Indiana residents and $12 for out-of-state visitors.
While Trail 9 gives you fabulous views of the beach, this hike is not exactly a day at the beach! If you are simply looking to lounge along the shore, there are many other beaches in the area to do just that. This was not my longest hike of the year, but it may have been the most strenuous!
After entering the park, make your way to the Nature Center, and that is where you can park for Trails 8, 9, and 10.
Be sure to visit the Nature Center either before or after your hike to learn more about the wildlife and topography in this part of the Hoosier State. Plus it’s a great place for a bathroom break!
Sand Makes For a Great Workout
Let me just say, hiking in the sand is not for the faint of heart! If you are looking for a great workout, trudging through the sand will definitely tone up your calf muscles.
The path along Trail 9 is thick with sand in many sections. At a few points, my shoes were practically buried. And by the end of the trail, I was carrying a significant amount of extra weight due to all the sand in my shoes!
Normally a trip to the sandy shore calls for flip-flops, but I advise against that if you are taking on Trail 9. You will need the support of sturdy shoes for this arduous hike.
I also would not recommend taking small children in strollers on this hike. It is quite a trek to the shoreline, and have I mentioned there is a lot of sand to wade through?!
Interestingly, I did encounter a family on Trail 9 with a toddler in tow. It took 2 very fit men, both pushing and pulling, to maneuver that stroller uphill through the sand!
Rest At the Beach
After reading several reviews and now having completed Trail 9 myself, I recommend completing the loop in a counter-clockwise fashion. The first section of the trail will take you through beautifully wooded areas with plenty of lush green foliage to admire (if you are also visiting in the summer months).
Some of the trail is fairly flat, but you will encounter several inclines as well and will be walking in the sand throughout much of it.
After working up a sweat and completing the first leg of the trail, you can reward yourself with a long rest at the beach! Veer just slightly off the trail and over the sand dune, and your toes will soon be in Lake Michigan.
If you have been following my hiking adventures you know my main goal is to enjoy the journey, not just complete the hike in record time. I don’t know how hikers could complete Trail 9 without lingering at this beautiful beach, at least for a little while!
Keep in mind that even though this isn’t the ocean, the waves can still be pretty intense. I found that out when I was lounging at the water’s edge…just enjoying my sack lunch when a huge wave crept up and doused by beach towel and backpack!
I had a good laugh and with the help of the hot August sun, I was completely dry long before my hike was over.
Peek-a-boo with Lake Michigan
I could literally lounge at the beach all day, but I knew I still had quite a bit of ground to cover. So after eating my lunch and taking dozens of photos of Lake Michigan, it was time to hit the trail again.
The next part of the trail took me along a ridge running parallel to the lake. While much of this portion of the trail was shaded by trees, gorgeous glimpses of Lake Michigan were prevalent. I got to play peek-a-boo with the lake as the beautiful blue water kept appearing between the towering trees along my journey.
And you can bet I stopped many times along the trail to admire the beach views and snap more photos!
I have a feeling that each time you complete this hike it is likely to appear a bit different as the sand shifts with the changing winds and seasons. And it was fascinating to see how the trees and the sand coexist in this area.
The roots of many of the trees along the edge of the trail literally seemed to be dancing on the sand!
Beach House Blowout
After making my way through the trees, I was treated to an expansive view of the water as I peered out over the massive Beach House Blowout.
I was more focused on making it up the steep sandy inclines of the trail at this point than I was at taking photos, so trust me when I say this picture does not do it justice!
This is one of 3 blowouts in Indiana Dunes State Park, formed by the winds of Lake Michigan. I won’t go into the details of how a blowout is formed and the specific elements of this unique kind of formation, best to leave that to the experts!
But Beach House Blowout makes for an impressive view and a very unique hiking experience. And it is a great way to wrap up a fabulous hike at the beach.
Post Hike Fuel
After burning so many calories on the trail, I decided to treat myself at Depot Hot Dogs. This adorable hot dog stand is located near the Dunes in Portage, Indiana.
I spotted the bright red and yellow building on my way into the Dunes so my heart was already set on hot dogs for dinner!
Given that all the seating is outside, Depot Hot Dogs is only open seasonally and when the weather cooperates. It was the perfect summer day for my visit, and I devoured this high-quality hot dog and perfectly cooked fries!
All I can say is YUM!!!
And what a great way to top off a practically perfect day hiking at the Indiana Dunes!
Just a few more hikes left in 2021, but I’m excited to experience the beauty of fall as I continue trekking through Indiana, so stay tuned! And if you need to catch up on any of my past hikes, check them out here: hike 1, hike 2, hike 3, hike 4, hike 5, hike 6, hike 7.
Happy Hiking!
Wherever the road takes you, make it a joyous journey,
Traveling Tanya
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