Benjamin Hikes ASMR

Welcome to Sand Creek in Grand Rapids' Aman Park! This trail was a challenge, but is was an interesting trek along the banks of Sand Creek. Sand Creek offers great views, the peaceful sound of rushing waters, and a bit of the challenge of stumbling through a distant jungle. At times it felt like an adventure through the Amazon! Location: Aman Park; Grand Rapids, Michigan Weather: 75° F / 23.9°...

Welcome back to the North Country Trail! Today we're hike 5 more miles on the NCT in the Yankee Springs Recreation Area and Barry State Game Area with over 20,000 acres of total recreation, hiking, and exploration. This was a great and fairly simple hike. We've completed 55 miles towards our 100 mile HIKE 100 Challenge goal! Join the challenge! Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge...

We're back at Aman Park to hike the trails we missed last winter! Today, we find the Sweet's Monument, a dedication of Aman Park, and Jacob Aman's grave who has become the namesake of Aman Park after donating much of this land for public recreation. Location: Aman Park; Grand Rapids, Michigan Weather: 75° F / 23.9° C, Sunny Difficulty: 2/5 Length: 0.9 miles / 1.45 kilometers Duration:...

Welcome to Marshall Memorial Park in Newaygo, MI! This simple park is hiding a beautiful trail, but watch out! There are a LOT of stairs. The views and peaceful creek vistas are worth it though. Marshall Memorial Park is named in honor of Michigan State Trooper Kevin M. Marshall who gave his life in the line of duty and served the people of Newaygo. You can see a statue depicting Trooper Marshall...

We're finishing HALF of the 2025 North Country Trail HIKE100 Challenge! Today, we begin our hike at Newaygo, MI's Croton Dam, hiking away from the Muskegon River before turning around. The trail was quite overgrown, but while hiking I met a volunteer working diligently to clear it. Thank you volunteers! Join the challenge! Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountry...

Today, I get lost in the arena of the Hunger Games! Seriously though, this was my most difficult hike in a woods very similar to that of the first Hunger Games novel and movie. Lots of tripping hazards, lots of elevation, the expert loop isn't for the faint of heart. Location: Merrell Trail; Rockford, Michigan Weather: 75° F / 23.9° C, Sunny Difficulty: 4/5 Length: 3.08 miles / 4.96 kilometers...

Another quick and easy hike on Merrell Trail's Beginner Loop! There are some obstacles and elevation change, and watch out for the mountain bikers! Location: Merrell Trail; Rockford, Michigan Weather: 72° F / 22.22° C, Sunny Difficulty: 3/5 Length: 0.71 miles / 1.14 kilometers Duration: 13 minutes Explore Rockford's Merrell Trail: https://www.wmmba.org/trails Romans 1:20 - "For his in...

We're finally hiking near the BOG at Saul Lake BOG! This unique ecosystems is stunning and we have a great view from an elevated boardwalk. Additionally, we'll hike through small portions of prairie and woods. Let's hike the bog! Location: Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve; Rockford, Michigan Weather: 79 ° F / 26.11° C, Sunny Difficulty: 3/5 Length: 0.6 miles / 0.97 kilometers Duration: 15...

Today we take a hike you shouldn't copy. I hiked another 5 miles towards the NCT HIKE 100 Challenge (for a total of 45 miles completed) in the Mackinaw State Forest in Boyne Falls, Michigan. Due to a recent devasting ice storm, the trail conditions were dangerous. Thankfully I made it out, but please do not repeat my mistake. Of course, enjoy this video of my mistakes from the comfort of home....

Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve again! We're hiking the Forest loop third of the property and see our first beautiful view of the Bog! Although there are some obstacles (sticks and roots), this was another fast and fairly easy hike. Location: Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve; Rockford, Michigan Weather: 79 ° F / 26.11° C, Sunny Difficulty: 3/5 Length: 0.8 miles / 1.29 kilometers Duration: 18 minute...

Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve is beautiful! This unique preserve has three distinct features, today we're hiking the Prairie Loop. The entire area is alive with wildflowers which look and smell amazing! Let's hike! Location: Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve; Rockford, Michigan Weather: 79 ° F / 26.11° C, Sunny Difficulty: 2/5 Length: 0.5 miles / 0.8 kilometers Duration: 12 minutes Explore The...

Spring lupine is beautiful! The Maas Family Preserve is home to Blue Lupine and the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly. This trail is quick, easy, and beautiful, the 3 best characteristics! Location: Maas Family Preserve; Rockford, Michigan Weather: 47° F / 8.33° C, Cloudy Difficulty: 2/5 Length: 0.62 miles / 1 kilometers Duration: 13 minutes Explore The Land Conservancy of West Michigan's Maas...

Ever seen a flying pig?? I caught a few on this North Country Trail hike! Keep those eyes open and you'll catch them too! We've now completed 40 total miles on the North Country Trail towards our HIKE100 challenege! Join the challenge! Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/ Join my hikes throughout 2025! All of my 2025 NCT HIKE100 v...

Once more, we hike at Wege! Don't turn away yet! We're hiking a few connecting trails and portions of every major loop in the preserve. These trails allow us to see a massive variety of ecosystems and environments on the property. Let's hike! Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan Weather: 70° F / 21° C, Cloudy Difficulty: 3/5 Length: 1.19 miles / 1.92 kilometers Duration: 24 min...

Prescribed burns are a key tool of land stewardship and environmental protection. Today, we hike through a recent prescribed burn area at Wege Natural Area providing a unique view in a familiar area. Learn more about Prescribed Burns and Land Stewardship: https://naturenearby.org/stewardship/ Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan Weather: 70° F / 21° C, Cloudy Difficulty: 3/5 Length: 0.7 mi...

Welcome to the Orange Trail at Wege Natural Area! Winding through an oak forest and over a stream, this trail was a very peaceful and beautiful hike. Where the trees part, shorter flowers and foliage can grow. It was an amazing hike! Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan Weather: 70° F / 21° C, Sunny Difficulty: 3/5 Length: 1.46 miles / 2.35 kilometers Duration: 32 minutes Explore The Land...

5 more miles on the North Country Trail! We'll be hiking through Seidman Park in Ada, Michigan. The trail provides lots of varierty through the woods, open grass, and a stunning boardwalk portion. We've now compelte 35 miles towards our 100 mile HIKE100 goal! Join the challenge! Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcountrytrail.org/hike-100-challenge/ Join my hikes throughou...

Welcome back to the Wege Natural Area! We're hiking through the prairie, one of my favorite places to hike! If you're looking for an easy and beautiful hike, consider this one. Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan Weather: 70° F / 21° C, Cloudy Difficulty: 2/5 Length: 1.05 miles / 1.69 kilometers Duration: 23 minutes Explore The Land Conservancy's Wege Nature Area: https://natu...

Welcome to Wege Nature Area! I was surprised to find multiple trails within this expansive preserve. Today, we'll be hiking the yellow trail through the pine plantation stands. Let's hike! Location: Wege Nature Area; Lowell, Michigan Weather: 52° F / 11.1° C, Cloudy Difficulty: 2/5 Length: 0.77 miles / 1.2 kilometers Duration: 16 minutes Explore The Land Conservancy's Wege Nature Area:...

Today we're walking over one of the country's longest timber frame bridge, crossing the Grand River! It rained a bit, but these trails were simple and a fun walk. Let's hike! Location: Grand River Riverfront Park; Lowell Township, Michigan Weather: 54° F / 12.2° C, Cloudy with Rain Difficulty: 2/5 Length: 1.36 miles / 2.2 kilometers Duration: 29 minutes Explore Lowell Township, Michiga...

Another 5 miles on the North Country Trail! Today, we hike miles 26 to 30 towards our HIKE 100 mile challenge near points MI-1002 and MI-1004. We even have the oppurtunity to visit the North Country Trail Association's Headquarters! If you hike this portion, remember bug spray. Wow, those mosquitoes were huge! Join the challenge! Consider signing up for the HIKE100 challenge: https://northcoun...

We're hiking at the beautiful Bradford Dickinson White Nature Preserve! This stunning preserve is operated by The Land Conservancy of West Michigan. It appeared to be a simple hike, but found it had significant elevation changes and lots of obstacles (perhaps because of a recent storm). Let's hike! Location: Bradford Dickinson White Nature Preserve; Lowell, Michigan Weather: 52° F / 11.11°...

We're back at Townsend Park! The maps indicated that there was a longer loop (we walked a shorter loop on this hike: https://youtu.be/joPv3vFTZ0Q), which I could not find. I reached the Cannon Trail, but no where could I find another dirt trail as indicated by my GPS tracking app. We may have to explore Townsend Park again. For today, experience my confusion and the beautiful trails at Townsen...

We're back at Huff Park for an easy walk on the Short Loop! Earlier this Spring I walked the long loop and saw lots of animals (hike here: https://youtu.be/Vd_Oi1pxhAQ), but today we focus on the stunning wetland views from the short loop's observation deck. If you're looking for an easy hike in Grand Rapids, MI, visit Huff Park! Location: Huff Park; Grand Rapids, Michigan Weather: 58°...

Have you ever seen a SAND DUNE in the middle of a pine forest?? Perhaps the most unique aspect of Provin Trails in the sandy bottom forest and sand dune right in the middle of the park, in the woods! If you haven't hiked this park, or explored on your own, hike with me and consider a visit to Provin Trails! Location: Provin Trails; Kent County, Michigan Weather: 55° F / 12.8° C, Sunny Difficulty:...