Blackmon Tract: Tamarack Core
LOCATION
9613 US Route 12
Richmond, IL
Located west of the intersection of Hunter Dr. and Highway 12
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mYpisVgXSPWxT57E8
GPS Coordinates: 42°27’58.7″N 88°18’29.6″W
DIRECTIONS:
Visitors can park in the public lot in downtown Richmond on Broadway Rd., right alongside the McHenry County Prairie Trail, which is a packed crushed stone biking/ walking path. Walk or bike 0.07 mi. south on the Prairie Trail to the entrance of Blackmon. Watch for the “Tamarack Core Area” sign and informational kiosk.
HOURS
7 days a week, 1/2 hour before sunrise until 1/2 hour after sunset, unless otherwise posted.
AMENITIES
• Bike rack
• 2 picnic tables
• Accessible trail
TRAILS
There is a short, accessible, hard-packed gravel trail running through the north end of Blackmon, ending at a viewpoint looking west over a cattail wetland.
While there are no other established trails, visitors are encouraged to wander into the pines or through the small savanna.
DESCRIPTION
Blackmon is surrounded on the north, west and south by the Tamarack Farms property of Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge. at the time of publication, the dark green areas are not yet open to the public. Use the QR code on this publication to check the website for updates on public access to Tamarack Farms.
To the east of Blackmon is a strip of land that contains the Prairie Trail, which runs the length of McHenry County. The rail trail spans just over 26 miles from the Wisconsin border to the Chicago suburbs in the south.
HUNTING & FISHING
This site is closed to hunting. There are no fishing lakes or streams on this tract.
SITE HISTORY
Seeking to preserve a piece of land that their family had enjoyed for generations, the Blackmon family sold the parcel to Openlands in 2016. The site was transferred to USFWS in 2020. Volunteer efforts at restoring the site are ongoing, with a focus on removing non-native shrubs like buckthorn and honeysuckle. The site has been seeded with native plants, and native shrubs have been introduced.
WHAT YOU WILL SEE
Blackmon serves as a great resting place for those hiking and biking the Prairie Trail, or simply looking for a place to stop to enjoy the scenery and have a picnic. The accessible path is a short trail, ending at a viewpoint looking west over a cattail wetland, and further into the Tamarack Farms macro-site. You will see an oak savanna in the distance to the west of the wetland. South of the trail is a historic planted pine grove, with woodland wildflowers visible in the spring.
Downy Woodpecker, photo by Alan Schmierer on Flickr
Great Blue Lobelia, photo by Alan Schmierer on Flickr
The site quickly gets wet if you walk past the path to the west. At this wetland edge are a variety of plant species, including blue lobelia, sedge species and turtlehead. These native marsh plants have the ability to filter pollutants from water. Native marsh plants also provide critical habitat for birds, pollinators, and amphibians. Their strong root systems stabilize muddy banks and shorelines.
You might spot several bird species if you wander through the pine forest. Woodpeckers, such as the downy, hairy, and red-bellied varieties forage for pine cones and seeds, especially in the winter. They will often nest in the dead limbs of trees.
Other bird species you might watch for are pine siskins, red-breasted nuthatches, crossbills (rare), and waxwings. Forest habitat provides shelter from predators as well as food.
SPECIES OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Turtlehead is the host plant for the Baltimore checkerspot, a rare, distinctive butterfly that is found specifically in high-quality wetlands and fens. Caterpillars feed almost exclusively on white turtlehead. Chemicals in the leaves make checkerspot caterpillars taste bad to predators.
Turtlehead is the only native plant on which the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly will lay its eggs. In addition, this native perennial has the unique capability of being medicinal for bumblebees with a certain gut parasite. The flower nectar contains compounds that reduce or kill the parasite.
White Turtlehead, photo by U.S. Dept. of Agriculture on Flickr
Watch for butterflies on warm, sunny days. Activity peaks between 9 and 5, best when wind conditions are still.
Baltimore Checkerspot Butterfly, photo by Alan Schmierer on Flickr
Friends of Hackmatack NWR
P.O. Box 413
Richmond, IL 60071
friendsofhackmatacknwr@gmail.com
Call 262-448-3558 to listen for the latest updates on upcoming activities. If you need to reach us, please leave a message and we will return your call.
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