JULY 2015
The State Arboretum and Chicot State
Park
Writing an article each month on the outdoors and environmental issues may be the best assignment I've ever had. I grew up reading publications such as Louisiana Conservationist and Field and Stream. Many of us were proud of our outdoor heritage then, and we still are.
I have friends who are almost obsessed with their frequent hunting and fishing activities. If this column focused on hunting or fishing advice, I would be a sure loser in knowledge to many others. But what I miss there, I probably make up with a diversity of other outdoor and environmental interests that I'll try to share with you.
Beekeeping and making hiking/walking sticks have been hobbies of mine and topics over the last two PWJ issues. Let's spend awhile next covering great places in the state where hikers or walkers can burn excess calories and soak up some of the sights, sounds and feels of the great outdoors.
I could start with some of my favorite and very convenient places from childhood, Kiroli Park in West Monroe, or now, Acadiana Park and nature trail in Lafayette. I'll try to be more systematic, though, in making a few initial recommendations for those who might want to explore some of the better hiking/walking adventures in Louisiana.
I'm going to make the assumption that most of you are not naturalists, amateur or otherwise. Hiking or walking wilderness trails can be a more fulfilling experience if you know at least a little about the flora and fauna that you might encounter. For that reason, my first suggestion is spending a day at the Louisiana State Arboretum just north of Ville Platte. The arboretum, established in 1961, has a visitors center, built in 2008, and exhibits describing types and characteristics of trees in the state. Even better are its five nature trails, three that are over a mile in length. Each of these nature trails has a type of forest habitat found in the state. For example, the Paw Paw Trail represents Beech/Magnolia forests found in parts of Louisiana. This longer trail is a loop, and about every 50-100 yards there is a descriptive marker of a particular type of nearby tree, such as the Paw Paw tree. The markers and descriptions occasionally help one distinguish varieties of common trees, such as the differences between a Bitternut and a Pignut Hickory tree. Other arboretum trails are the Wetland Trail, the Bald Cypress Trail, the Backbone Ridge Trail and the Walker Branch Trail.
Writing an article each month on the outdoors and environmental issues may be the best assignment I've ever had. I grew up reading publications such as Louisiana Conservationist and Field and Stream. Many of us were proud of our outdoor heritage then, and we still are.
I have friends who are almost obsessed with their frequent hunting and fishing activities. If this column focused on hunting or fishing advice, I would be a sure loser in knowledge to many others. But what I miss there, I probably make up with a diversity of other outdoor and environmental interests that I'll try to share with you.
Beekeeping and making hiking/walking sticks have been hobbies of mine and topics over the last two PWJ issues. Let's spend awhile next covering great places in the state where hikers or walkers can burn excess calories and soak up some of the sights, sounds and feels of the great outdoors.
I could start with some of my favorite and very convenient places from childhood, Kiroli Park in West Monroe, or now, Acadiana Park and nature trail in Lafayette. I'll try to be more systematic, though, in making a few initial recommendations for those who might want to explore some of the better hiking/walking adventures in Louisiana.
I'm going to make the assumption that most of you are not naturalists, amateur or otherwise. Hiking or walking wilderness trails can be a more fulfilling experience if you know at least a little about the flora and fauna that you might encounter. For that reason, my first suggestion is spending a day at the Louisiana State Arboretum just north of Ville Platte. The arboretum, established in 1961, has a visitors center, built in 2008, and exhibits describing types and characteristics of trees in the state. Even better are its five nature trails, three that are over a mile in length. Each of these nature trails has a type of forest habitat found in the state. For example, the Paw Paw Trail represents Beech/Magnolia forests found in parts of Louisiana. This longer trail is a loop, and about every 50-100 yards there is a descriptive marker of a particular type of nearby tree, such as the Paw Paw tree. The markers and descriptions occasionally help one distinguish varieties of common trees, such as the differences between a Bitternut and a Pignut Hickory tree. Other arboretum trails are the Wetland Trail, the Bald Cypress Trail, the Backbone Ridge Trail and the Walker Branch Trail.
If exploring just the nature center and five trails at the arboretum is not enough for you, Chicot State Park, very near the arboretum, has a 20-mile trail around Lake Chicot where full-bore hiking, camping and fishing possibilities await. A description of diverse recreational opportunities at Chicot State Park is available on its web site.
When I visited and hiked a part of this lake trail recently, I brought along our yellow lab, Molly. Taking a dog with you on a hike can change the experience from walking alone or with another person. It's interesting to observe what the dog perceives before you do and vice versa. We encountered three young porkers scavenging near the trail at one point, but they were almost upon us before Molly noticed them. In this case, my height and eyes trumped her smelling and hearing advantage. Often it's the other way around.
As much as I like spending time fishing in a boat, I find my back and legs get a bit stiff after a few hours. Why not take a fishing break for a while, anchor that boat, stretch, and find a mile or two lake trail to hike or jog? You might miss a few mid-day fish, but at the end of the day I think you'll feel more refreshed in mind and spirit from this kind of break.
For all of the hiking/walking outings that I'll be describing do not forget mosquito repellent or spray. Mosquitos can be dangerous as well as unpleasant companions, and these can be particularly bad in early morning and late afternoon/evening hours. The heavier-than-normal rainfall in recent months can mean more standing water and breeding places for mosquitoes. Trails, too, can now have stretches with standing water or mud, so types of foot ware and socks are safety and comfort choices in preparing for even a leisurely walk.
Many hiking and wilderness trail options exist in Louisiana and within a reasonable drive. You certainly don't need to be a camping enthusiast. You can spend a few hours walking and sightseeing and then return to the creature comforts of your home or a nice motel room. Next month I'll describe another wilderness and hiking area and also a unique bed and breakfast nearby where you can learn a whole lot more about Louisiana trees, plants, and wildflowers.
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