18 Wetmore Pond 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

Photo: © Dave Case

The hiking trail at Wetmore Pond offers scenic views of unique bog habitat. At this site you can hike an undeveloped trail through old-growth forest and around rugged rock outcroppings to a pristine bog habitat at Wetmore Pond. The site is located on 480 acres of MeadWestvaco land, which borders a 2,500-acre tract of the Escanaba River State forest. The trail is rough and uneven, but the viewing opportunities from the wooden bog observation platform are well worth the effort.

Wildlife Viewing

A bog is a unique wetland habitat that receives very little influx of fresh water. Decaying vegetation causes the water to become acidic, which supports a fragile community of specially adapted plants and animals.

The carnivorous pitcher plant
grows in bog environments.
Insects fall into the specially
adapted leaves and are digested
by the plant.
Photo: © Ray Rustem

Sphagnum moss grows in thick, floating mats on the water’s surface and is often mistaken for solid ground. Carnivorous (meat eating) pitcher plants are also common in this habitat. They digest insects to supplement the scarce nutrients available in this acidic environment. During the spring and fall migrations, ducks and geese congregate on the bog, providing excellent viewing opportunities. White-throated sparrows and ovenbirds are also quite common here.

Portions of this area are open to public hunting. Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for affected seasons and locations.