Winter 2003

A broad trail passes through a woodland rich with native species

Lake County, Indiana

A cross-country skiing or snowshoeing expedition to Deep River County Park offers an opportunity to combine outdoor activity in a large, diverse hardwood forest with discoveries about the economic and social history of Northwest Indiana.

Long before steel and oil moguls claimed most of the Lake Michigan shore in Lake County, Indiana, Potawatomi Indians set up summer encampments along Deep River, according to Joanna Shearer, the park's historical program coordinator. When European settlers arrived in the 1830s, the river became a magnet for business enterprises.

Fortunately, it was valued mostly as a source of power for such relatively benign establishments as grist and saw mills. Now those are nearly gone, with one notable exception: the brick gristmill built in 1876 by Nathan Wood. He built the mill at the site of an earlier mill established by his father, John, arguably the county's first industrialist. Today, it stands as a prominent landmark near the entrance to Deep River County Park, which has grown steadily over time to become 1,400 sprawling acres.

From its source near Crown Point, Indiana, Deep River wanders across Lake County before it enters the park. From there, it flows north past Hobart — where it becomes truly deep — into the Little Calumet and finally Lake Michigan. It has been largely freed from commercial demands and today serves mainly recreational purposes.

A broad, generally flat trail follows the meandering river for almost two miles. The trail passes through a woodland rich with native species, including substantial cottonwoods and sycamores, basswood, swamp white oak, sweetgum, shagbark and bitternut hickory, and Kentucky coffee trees.

More adventurous skiers or hikers may want to cross Ainsworth Road where a rougher section of trail continues along the river to an overlook. A field adjoining the picnic area is accessible to those who prefer open ground.

Beginning February 8, park staffers will tap the maple trees and collect sap. On the second and third weekends in March, the woodfired evaporator in the sugar shack will be going full tilt. The syrup produced there is for sale, a blessing to those who regard it as nature's tastiest nectar.

A few weeks later, spring beauties, trillium, May apples, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and bloodroot appear at Deep River. In late summer and fall, goldenrod, sunflowers, and especially white and purple asters are abundant in sunnier spots along the trail. New waves of bird species appear each season, including warblers, scarlet tanagers, Baltimore orioles, wood thrushes, Acadian flycatchers, and barred owls. Spring also brings the Deep River Grinders, who play vintage baseball as prescribed by the 33 rules in effect in 1858, taking on teams from across the Midwest at their home field in the park.

Deep River County Park is open from 7 a.m. until dusk. Pit toilets are available at two locations, but no indoor restrooms are open in winter. For more information, call (219) 947-1958 or (219) 945-0543.

— Warren Buckler