A question I get asked a lot is where is Baltimore and how is he doing? Well, come out to this EBC event and ask him yourself. For newer members-Who is Baltimore? He is just one of the most respected and prolific EBC riders leaders of all time. He led many rides of all kinds including the Road Hill Training Series, Mountain Bike Rides, Hikes and he also helped many in the club achieve their personal riding goals. He also brought the snowshoeing program to a higher level and offered wilderness trips to the club as well. He was EBC Safety Chair and was always educating members. For me he has been a mentor in all things and helped me start the EBC Mountain Bike Program. He not only counselled me on how to run a MTB program, but also a bike club and my long tenure as President would not have happened without his guidance. He was well known as my Consigliere.
So, join us on our next adventure to a great location, the Indiana Dunes State Park. This area was developed by massive Glaciers and has some of the top biodiversity in America. The park offers spectacular scenery and stunning views of Lake Michigan. Baltimore will provide education about the glacial landscape, biodiversity, and the history of the Indiana Dunes plus information on the Indigenous people that were here for thousands of years along the Pioneers, European immigrants, and others that later passed through the Dunes. Now you can walk in the same location.
This is a physical 5 mile moderate level hike with some challenging sand dune hills. This is not an easy social short hike and hikers will be required to be in shape for the event. New members and guests are welcome, and everyone is advised to carpool because the entrance gate fee is $12 per vehicle for Illinois residents, $7 for Indiana. We recommend stout hiking boots, bring a backpack with water, a snack, extra jacket, medium or high cut level hiking boots (low cut will work but get full of sand, so mid/high hikers better and trekking poles are recommended. Sometimes it’s a little chilly by the lake so dress for the weather. Rain will cancel the hike. This is a free hike for EBC members and guests, and if you can’t join us, REI offers Indiana Dune hikes for $69 members, and $99 non-members. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS OUT OF STATE EVENT.
Meet at the Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center. Indiana Dunes State Park (not the National Park), Google: Indiana Dunes State Park Nature Center, we will meet outside in front of the Nature Center. Drive North on HWY-49 until it dead-ends at the state park, do not go to the Pavilion, go to the Nature Center.
Time and Parking: Baltimore’s educational presentation starts at 9:45 AM, and the hike will begin about 10:00 AM. You can park in the parking lot, and if it fills, you can park around the corner and walk a few minutes to the Nature Center. There is an indoor restroom in the Nature Center
Optional Recovery Meal: We will meet at a Mexican restaurant near the Dunes, EL CANTARITO, 709 Plaza Dr, Chesterton, IN 46304, after the hike, if you want. Join us on this event if you can, you’ll get what Baltimore has learned hiking there for seven years, in one day. We’ll have plenty of iPhone photo opportunities, so bring a smile and charge your battery.