Lookout Below: Some trail walk talk

By Mallory Stiles
Associate Editor

With summer right around the corner, I thought I would take a walk along one of the many trails of Lansing. There are a lot of things that make a trail a good one, but I like to base it off three things.

How crowded is it? I enjoy taking the road less traveled, and often look for a trail that can offer me a little solitude without totally cutting me off from the general public.

How safe is it? WLNS published an article last October that breaks down an FBI report showing violent crime in Lansing is only getting worse. Click here for specific statistics.

How pretty is it? I love nature mostly for all the things I can look at. I love seeing new types of plants or wildlife.

With all these things in mind I tried to sift through all the different Lansing trails. I decided on the Lansing River Trail because it really does go all over, and has more than a few scenic views.

This trail is roughly 13 miles long, running along both the Grand River and Red Cedar River between Michigan State University and Dietrich Park. The first piece of the path was opened in 1975, but the trail wasn’t crowned as a part of the National Trails System until 1981.

Most likely, you have been on some part of the Lansing River Trail at some point. It has hosted Common Ground, the annual Mayor’s Walk, the Capital City River Run and an assortment of other city-sponsored events.

I have ran almost every part of the trail in the past but, for this story, I decided to walk the whole thing from start to finish. I realized quickly, however, that it was about 10 miles too long for a weekend walk.

I started at Moores Park and did a loop all the way down to about Hazel Street before turning back. I crossed two bridges and caught countless captures of beautiful sunsets. I saw squirrels and a bunch of birds before the sky blackened.

I only saw two people on my walk and, while the trail has seen its fair share of crime, I have always felt safe and have no horror stories to tell. However, Lansing is home to me and I run fast, so I still suggest that everyone keep only one ear bud in, stay alert, and go in the daylight with a friend if you can.

Another thing to remember is that flooding does have an effect on the path and may alter your plans, so checking ahead is always a good idea. You can do so by clicking here. 

I enjoyed my walk along the trail, and plan to continue to either walk or run there whenever possible.