Bat, Tree Frog, Opossum, Caterpillar, Flying Squirrel and Raccoon will be waiting along the way as guides lead small groups of visitors by lantern light through the pumpkin-lit trails of the Enchanted Forest. On Friday and Saturday, October 13 and 14, 2017, The Wilderness Center in Wilmot, Ohio, will come alive with these friendly nocturnal animals as they sing songs, tell jokes and share stories of life in the nighttime woodlands. Before heading out on the trails, visitors can stop in at the coloring area or pose for photos with Mouse or Luna Moth.
At the end of the 45-minute walk, families are invited to return to the Interpretive Building for pretzels and cider. Children and adults are welcome to wear non-scary costumes. Admission for the event is $6 for members and $8 for non-members. Children under the age of 3 will be admitted free.
For those who prefer daylight walks so they can enjoy the beautiful fall colors, there are several trails to choose from. Pond Trail is 1 1/4 miles long and you will see the sundial and rock walk, as well as fish in Wilderness Lake. You can climb the tower and view the pond from the observation station. The Sigrist Woods Trail is a 3/4 mile boardwalk across Fox Creek, through a wooded wetland and up a rise to some of the oldest trees in Northeast Ohio. For a 3/4 mile walk through the lowland woods, an apple orchard and past the banks of Fox Creek, you should take the Fox Creek Trail.
The Sugarcreek Trail is a 1 mile trek through high and low upland forest on a ridge overlooking Sugarcreek flats and along the middle ford of Sugar Creek. A bit longer is the Belden & Blake Wilderness Walk which will take you 1 1/2 miles through a cool, wooded trail of Beech and mixed forests. The longest trail, Pioneer Path, is 1 3/4 miles of peace and solitude on the outer loop through the woodlands or on an inner cut-across through the restored prairie.
Trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset. You can even bring your four-legged friends, as leashed dogs are welcome on the Sigrist Woods, Fox Creek and Sugarcreek Trails. For more information and a calendar of events at The Wilderness Center, see their website at www.wildernesscenter.org.
The Wilderness Center Enchanted Forest
