Young’s Wildlife Preserve, Concord Township

By Sam Shirley

Young’s Wildlife Preserve, protected by the Somerset Woods Trustees, is the epitome of an out-of-the-way trail system; it’s almost certain that you will have the trails to yourself. Hunting isn’t allowed anywhere in the preserve, so it is a great place to visit in the fall.

From the parking area, a short trail leads to the edge of a beaver swamp where there is a bench at the edge of the water. This trail is only 0.3 mile round-trip.

On the other side of Fletcher Mountain Road, the Mountain Loop Trail makes a ~1.1 semi-circular loop on the lower slopes of Fletcher Mountain, connecting with Fletcher Mountain Road on either end, for a 0.5-mile stretch on the back road. The trail is very lightly used, particularly the northern half, so there isn’t a distinct foot bed in many places, but it is well marked with blue blazes and red circles.

Much of the trail passes through hardwood forest, but there are a few nice sections through hemlock forest. The trail also passes a unique white marble ledge. An especially enjoyable part of the trail brings you to a mountain brook with a series of cascades.

Directions: The preserve is located on Fletcher Mountain Road, about 2.25 miles from the intersection with Pleasant Ridge Road. From Pleasant Ridge Road, turn onto Bluff Road, and then take a right in about 1,300 feet onto Fletcher Mountain Road.