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Spring Ephemeral Walk
Join us for a guided walk through Lautenbach Woods to witness one of spring’s most fleeting wonders — ephemeral ponds and the wildflowers that surround them.
What You’ll See
Ephemeral ponds form each spring as snowmelt and rain fill shallow depressions in the forest floor. These temporary pools are critical breeding habitat for wood frogs and spotted salamanders, and the surrounding forest floor comes alive with spring ephemerals like trout lily, bloodroot, and trillium.
What to Bring
- Sturdy, waterproof footwear (trails may be muddy)
- Layers — spring mornings in Door County can be chilly
- Water bottle
- Binoculars (optional, for birding along the way)
Meeting Point
Lautenbach Woods parking area off County Road Q. Look for the DCLT kiosk.
About This Program
This is a seasonal program — the date follows the land, not the calendar. Ephemeral ponds depend on snowmelt and rainfall patterns, so we schedule this walk when conditions are right. Sign up to be notified and you’ll be the first to know when it’s happening.
About This Preserve
Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve
This 160-acre preserve on the Niagara Escarpment reveals Door County's dolomite bedrock through visible fractures, fissures, and a remarkable vernal pond — plus rare land snails that have survived here since the glaciers.
Terrain
What You'll See
Facilities
More Programs to Explore
More at this preserve and other upcoming programs
Rediscover a Rocky Refuge at Lautenbach Woods
Lautenbach Woods Nature Preserve
The Wonders of Wetlands at Dusk
Oak Road Nature Preserve
The Natural and Human History of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Nature Preserve
