Ice Age Trail - Point Beach Segment -

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Point Beach Segment Trail Run Overview

A trail run on the Point Beach Segment of the Ice Age Trail will leave you wanting more. From the beauty of the Lake Michigan Shoreline, the sand dunes, the woods and a picturesque swamp, it will set you free. Every portion of this section, will remind you of why you run trails.

The Point Beach Segment is approximately 10 miles long. The trail runs from Park Road to Lake Shore Road. This segment covers the current shoreline of Lake Michigan, as well as the ancient shorelines of Lake Nipissing.

I would suggest either running the trail in sections or bring a running buddy and park at both ends of the trail. There is roadside parking on Park Road and Lake Shore Road. How many ever miles of this section you plan to run, a Point Beach Segment trail run is a perfect start to the day.

Another suggestion is to monitor the weather. It is generally cooler by lake, so dress accordingly. Bring a light running jacket if your unsure, you can always remove it if you get too warm. I like to wear my lightweight Brooks Canopy Jacket. I can fold it up and it fits perfectly into my hydration backpack.

Trail Run on the Beaches and Dunes

When you start off from Park Road, you will run through a wooded area. The wooded section leads to a cordwalk over fragile dunes out to the lake. As you make your way down to the beach, pause for a moment to take in the views of the lake.

After heading down to the beach, you will run north for approximately two miles right along the shoreline. The closer to the water the sand will be firmer and easier to run. There are no Ice Age Trail makers on this portion, so pay attention for the marker that will lead you off the beach.

There is a bench over looking the lake, if you need to rest your legs from running through the sand. As you leave the beach, you will run across another cordwalk over a dunes section.

Keep an Eye Out for the Hard to Find Trail Marker!

Point Beach State Forest

Heading out of the dunes, you will enter a hardwoods. The single track trail snakes through the woods. The trail follows along Molash Creek Trail, offering view of Molash Creek and the wetlands. Joining a short section of bike trail, the trail then heads back into the hardwoods.

Exiting the hardwoods, the trail follows along state forest trails. This section travels along the ancient shoreline. The trail runs though a wooded section with glimpses of dunes. As you embark further along the trail heads away from the lake through a wooded section.

Rahr Memorial School Forest

The end of the section is near, but definitely not over. This portion made the run well worth it. The trail meanders through the woods leading to a swamp. I have never thought of a swamp as breathtaking, but the 0.3 miles run on the boardwalk changed my mind.

The boardwalk is high over the swamp. Running through during spring everything was green and beginning to bloom. The sounds of the frogs and birds will awaken your soul. The buttercups were everywhere! This was my favorite section of the trail. The trail then winds through a grassy area, back through the woods and then out to Lake Shore Road.

The ten miles flew by. It is a relatively flat trail. I only had 253 feet of elevation gain over the ten miles. A Point Beach Segment trail run will etch an everlasting impression on you memory, and make you want to return to run it again and again. It will also make you want to explore more sections of the Ice Age Trail. Check out my post on the Sturgeon Bay Segment for more trail running ideas!

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