Our favorite walk in Ann Arbor is around Argo Pond. It is 2.58 miles, and is an excellent walk in all 4 seasons (unless it is icy!).
As you can see, we took our time, and it still only takes an hour.
We like to park in the inner lot of
Bandemere Park (not as many cars), so when you enter the parking area from Lakeshore and Barton, keep going across the one lane bridge (5 MPH), into the inner parking lot.
After parking, we like to walk back down the driveway we just came in, and across the river. Follow the river path until you walk under M-14. (I prefer to get this part of the walk over as soon as possible, as it's fairly noisy.)
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| I turned around to shoot this photo-- the river will be on your right |
After you have passed under the highway, the path turns into a very nice boardwalk that follows the river. (In the spring and summer, look for turtles sunning themselves on the logs.)
Check out what it looks like in March, here.
Toward the end of the boardwalk are wooden stairs that go down on the right. Take these to continue on the path that follows the river.
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| I'm shooting backwards again-- river is on your right |
This is the most natural part of the walk, and is beautiful in all seasons.
Watch for the rowing club across the river.
The path eventually turns into a sidewalk, and passes the canoe livery. This is a good spot to see ducks, geese. and swans, and there are a few picnic benches around if you want to rest for a bit.
As you approach the dam, you get a great view of the new mill race (Argo Cascades) on your left. (Or if you're hungry, follow the path along the mill race to the Northside Grill!) If it is kayak weather, it's fun to watch them go down the rapids.
Walk across the dam. The views are great both ways.
You are just about half way-- so if you're ready to head home, follow the sidewalk between the river and the railroad tracks, away from the dam. If you still have lots of energy, cross the RR tracks (there is a sign warning not to cross, but there is a path worn from all the crossers), go through the parking lot, and you can follow Main Street toward Kerrytown. Or if you don't want to cross the tracks, follow the cascades to Broadway, and turn right to head downtown.
Follow the sidewalk back to Bandemere Park. Looking across the river, you will see where you just walked. About half way back, you will walk by the rowing club boat docks. You can get some great pics by walking out on them.
You can either stay on the sidewalk all the way back to your parking lot, or you can take the path that veers off to the right into the woods (after the rowing club), and walk along the disk golf area. It's nice, especially if there are bikers on the sidewalk.
Not much plantlike to see this time of year-- but there are still some beautiful plants, if you look closely.
So what are you waiting for? Call a friend, and make a walking date. Or just go by yourself. You'll feel great!
