Black Pond Ponderer
Nestled in the woods just northeast of Leslie Science and Nature Center are the dips and crests of Black Pond Woods Nature Area. This little beauty is full of narrow, rocky and root-strewn trails that take you down into ravines and up and over ridges, where you'll eventually stumble (hopefully not literally) upon a vernal pool rife with breeding frogs in early summer. Later in the season, the pool dries up until spring rains fill it up again next year.
Pro tips:
- bug spray!
- closed-toe shoes
- watch your step for rocks/roots
- walking distance: about a mile
HOURS
Sunrise to Sunset
BEGIN at the parking lot for the Leslie Science and Nature Center at 1831 Traver Rd, Ann Arbor. There's a Project Grow community garden near the northeast end of the lot and a sign for Black Pond Woods. Head over there to get started!
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Badge Series
Arbor Explorer 2022
Game
SummerGame2022
Difficulty
⭐️⭐️ Tricky
2 of out 4 difficulty
Badge Points
200
Comments
We did this today and it was…
We did this today and it was perfectly clear and so much fun! My kids loved the pond! :)
FYI not stroller friendly…
FYI not stroller friendly but the perfect little hike
Somehow we got turned around…
Somehow we got turned around on the way back. After marker 3, things looked unfamiliar and we ended up by some houses instead of finding marker 2. Could you add a clarification about the direction at marker 3 to get back to 2. I think what looked “straight” on the way out looked different coming back. Fortunately, we could see civilization pretty easily and found our way back, but without a trail map we couldn’t figure out where we had gone wrong.
Sorry you got turned around,…
Sorry you got turned around, but glad you were able to get back on track! We will venture out sometime this week to double check and see what details we can add to that clue. Thanks for playing!
This was a fun one! My kid…
This was a fun one! My kid who hates walks in the woods even liked it. And we saw a bunch of frogs at the pond; I was worried they would be gone this late in the season but it was frog central.
We didn't see any frogs…
We didn't see any frogs today, but a doe and two adorable fawns!
I went out to actually see…
I went out to actually see black pond woods today and the only bench I found was the one in the garden, probably took a wrong turn. I was walking without any map.I was happy when I put the last code from the compost pile in and the message said I had earned the badge, but I see now that I missed one.
We don't see an email…
We don't see an email associated with your account - please send us a contactus or email ask@aadl.org so we can help you out with the one you're missing!
Just sent you my email
Just sent you my email
Hi! I am the proud Aunt of…
Hi! I am the proud Aunt of the Eagle Scout who made the Benches for his Eagle Project at Leslie Science & Nature Center!! He worked very hard on his Eagle Project here and learned many valuable skills. I am so excited that his Benches are part of the wonderful AADL Summer Game! Thank you very much for making these a Clue for the Game! Enjoy sitting on my nephew's benches from his Eagle Project, and enjoy the beautiful Leslie Science & Nature Center!
Congrats!!! What a happy…
Congrats!!! What a happy crossover! :D