The Proud Lake Trail Riders and The Pontiac Lake Horseman's Association put together 2 nights of candle-lit trail hikes. Both evenings went better than we could have ever expected. There were over 60 people in attendance on each night. The day before each of the hikes, it snowed about 2 inches. On the last hike, the night sky cleared completely, to reveal an unbelievably bright, full moon. There were actually two hikes on each night. One was a candle lit hike around the Marsh Trail, and the second hike followed the River Trail through the deep pine tree forest. Not a single flashlight came out on either evening. 

With the moon light on both nights, and the candles lighting one of the trails, making our way in the night was easy. Inside the ANNEX building, which is donated to the "Friends of Proud Lake" group for these hikes, there where free cookies, cakes, coffee, water and various teas. There where also many outdoor displays related to the park and its many features. The trail leaders talked with the people who came out for the hikes about some of the animals, plants and conifers that exist in this area of the park. There is a tremendous amount biodiversity at Proud lake Recreation Area.  Thank you all for joining us on these hikes, and we hope everyone had a good time. We are planning on future night hikes and activities with the FRIENDS Group. We had a GREAT time at Proud Lake and we all gratefully thank the Park supervisor Paul Augsburger and staff, for making it happen just that way.