“I had no idea.” That’s the comment we often hear from first-time participants in the Crossroads Trail Run & Walk—and, ironically, from those who have participated before. It’s a common reaction from many visitors who have been walking, running, or skiing in our preserves for years. Crossroads at Big Creek is amazing, and it is changing!
The 16th Annual Crossroads Trail Run & Walk will occur on Saturday, June 21 at 8:00 am. This community tradition promotes wellness, healthy living, and multigenerational recreation while increasing awareness of sustainable living. It’s also a major fundraiser supporting Crossroads' education programs and ecological restoration efforts.
Thanks to Evergreen Nursery, each runner will also receive a locally sourced tamarack tree. Post-race refreshments will be provided along with chip-timed results for all participants. Winners in various categories will receive prizes.
We like to think of the event as an open house for our preserves. The term “open house” might seem an unusual description for a trail run, but it is appropriate because the root word “eco” comes from the Greek word for “house.” Whether running or walking the 2K, 5K, or 10K routes, participants will experience a remarkable variety of ecosystems and witness our ecological restoration work in progress.
The 2K route winds through forest and meadow, crossing several bridges and offering a view of blooming wetland flowers.
On the 5K route, participants pass through evergreen and deciduous forests, meadows, and fields. Along the way, they will see areas where invasive trees have been removed or girdled, and places where biodiversity has been boosted by planting native species.
The most dramatic changes can be seen on the 10-K route, which takes runners into our Ida Bay Preserve. There, non-native Scots pine, buckthorn, and honeysuckle have been removed, and currently, former weedy fields are recovering from a prescribed burn.
With so much to see, it’s no wonder that many race participants return to enjoy the preserves at a more relaxed pace.
Some may want to join our weekly Wandering Wednesday hikes at 1:30 p.m., or attend a free screening of the documentary Green Fire, which tells the story of Aldo Leopold. Our educational programs are offered at no cost, and our preserves are open to the public 24/7—also free of charge.
So, for those who once said, “I had no idea” how beautiful and fascinating our preserves are, now you will. And you’re always welcome to come back and explore Crossroads as it changes with the seasons.
Wednesday, June 18
10:00 Family Program: Fit the Bill
Discover how the shape of a bird’s beak is perfectly adapted to its diet. Free and open to all ages. Meet in the Lower Level of the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay
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1:30 p.m. Wandering Wednesday
Join a naturalist-led hike for an easy, hour-long walk—no registration required. Meet at the Collins Learning Center. Free and open to the public thanks to our donors.
6:00 p.m. Door County Well Monitoring Program Results
In partnership with the Door County Department of Public Health, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) will present the findings from an ongoing groundwater quality study begun in 2019. Learn about trends, comparisons, and new initiatives. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, Crossroads, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
Thursday, June 19
5:00 pm Door Peninsula Mushroom Club: Mushroom Foraging 101
Andria Hails, Certified Identifier and club member, will teach the basics of safe mushroom foraging. Free and open to all ages. Held at the Collins Learning Center. Crossroads, 2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay. Contact the Door Peninsula Mushroom Club for more information.
Saturday, June 21
6:30 a.m. Registration opens
8:00 a.m. Start of the 16th Annual Crossroads Trail Run
Door County’s first trail run welcomes all ages and abilities to choose from 2K, 5K, or 10K distances, with chip timing and staggered starts.
More info and registration at CrossroadsRun.com
Monday, June 23
1:30 p.m. Documentary Screening: Green Fire
A free showing of the award-winning documentary on Aldo Leopold. Meet in the Lecture Hall, Collins Learning Center, Crossroads.2041 Michigan, Sturgeon Bay
Wednesday, June 25
1:30 p.m. Wandering Wednesday
Enjoy a relaxed, naturalist-guided walk through the preserve. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Sturgeon Bay. It is free and open to all.
