AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Thelma G. Spencer Park

Carter Lake–Ferry Drain, 5 lakes

5.9 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 59 min

Carter Lake–Ferry Drain, 5 lakes is a 5.9-mile out-and-back in Thelma G. Spencer Park near Big Beaver, MI. The route passes Ferry Drain, Crystal Lake, Turtle Woods Preserve Beach and 2 more before reaching Thelma G. Spencer Park Beach at the turnaround, 2.7 miles in. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi650 – 705 ft7.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.59650, -83.11553
Nearest town Big Beaver, MI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Carter Lake–Ferry Drain, 5 lakes

5.9 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 59 min

Elevation 650–706 ft

Out & Back · Thelma G. Spencer Park

Trailhead: 42.59650, -83.11553

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 7:20 AM · sunset 7:32 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
  2. 150 ftTurn right onto Troy Trails, heading S.
  3. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  4. 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  5. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  6. 250 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  7. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  8. 50 ftPass Ferry Drain.
  9. 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
  10. 1.5 miPass Crystal Lake.
  11. 50 ftPass Turtle Woods Preserve Beach.
  12. 0.2 miBear left, heading N.
  13. 100 ftBear right, heading N.
  14. 0.2 miPass Thelma G. Spencer Park Beach.
  15. 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
  16. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  17. 0.1 miPass Carter Lake.
  18. 50 ftPass Thelma G. Spencer Park Beach.
  19. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  20. 400 ftBear left, heading N.
  21. 150 ftBear left, heading N.
  22. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  23. 400 ftBear right, heading N.
  24. 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
  25. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  26. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  27. 250 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  28. 250 ftReach Carter Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  29. 250 ftTurn right, heading E.
  30. 250 ftTurn right, heading E.
  31. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  32. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  33. 150 ftBear left, heading NE.
  34. 400 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  35. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  36. 150 ftBear right, heading E.
  37. 400 ftTurn left, heading N.
  38. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  39. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  40. 0.4 miBear left, heading W.
  41. 100 ftBear right, heading W.
  42. 1.7 miTurn right, heading S.
  43. 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
  44. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  45. 250 ftTurn right, heading S.
  46. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  47. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  48. 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
  49. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/carter-lake-ferry-drain-out-back-8-lakes-9-km-d149

Trail surface

90% paved3% dirt7% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:20 AMSunset 7:32 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.7 mi in (~66 min). Leave by 6:05 PM for the 7:32 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:52 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Big Beaver, Michigan