Island Lake State Recreation Area
Blue Trail & JCPenney Connector
3.2 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 1 hr 6 min
Blue Trail & JCPenney Connector is a 3.2-mile out-and-back in Island Lake State Recreation Area near Brighton, MI. It is mostly level, with 53 ft of elevation gain. It scores 2/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Blue Trail & JCPenney Connector
3.2 mi · ▲ 53 ft · 1 hr 6 min
Elevation 868–918 ft
Out & Back · Island Lake State Recreation Area
Trailhead: 42.49904, -83.75445
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:22 AM · sunset 7:36 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading N.
- 400 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miBear right onto JCPenney Connector, heading NE.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Blue Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.3 miReach JCPenney Connector, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading E.
- 0.7 miTurn left onto JCPenney Connector, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 450 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 450 ftSharp left, heading W.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.7 mi in (~18 min). Leave by 6:58 PM for the 7:36 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:09 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Island Lake & Orchard - View Colony Beach via Blue Trail 2.6 mi · ▲ 0 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Brighton, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Brighton, Michigan