deer Viewpoint–Vernal Ponds, 3 sights

3.7 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 15 min

deer Viewpoint–Vernal Ponds, 3 sights is a 3.7-mile out-and-back near North Farmington, MI. The route passes Vernal Ponds and Branch Tipi before reaching deer Viewpoint at the turnaround, 1.8 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi942 – 994 ft4.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.55599, -83.39622
Nearest town North Farmington, MI

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

deer Viewpoint–Vernal Ponds, 3 sights

3.7 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 15 min

Elevation 941–993 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 42.55599, -83.39622

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:19 AM · sunset 7:36 PM

Transit-accessible: Maple / Jewish Family Services (EB) stop 42 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading NW.
  2. 100 ftBear left, heading NW.
  3. 200 ftTurn left, heading W.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  5. 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
  6. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  7. 0.6 miTurn right, heading W.
  8. 0.3 miSharp left onto West Bloomfield Trail, heading N.
  9. 0.7 miPass Vernal Ponds.
  10. 450 ftPass Branch Tipi.
  11. 200 ftTurn left, heading W.
  12. 100 ftTurn right onto Whitetail Ridge Trail Loop, heading W.
  13. 250 ftTurn right onto deer, heading W.
  14. 50 ftReach deer Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  15. 50 ftTurn left onto Whitetail Ridge Trail Loop, heading W.
  16. 250 ftTurn left, heading W.
  17. 100 ftTurn right onto West Bloomfield Trail, heading W.
  18. 0.8 miSharp right, heading E.
  19. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  20. 0.6 miTurn right, heading SE.
  21. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  22. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  23. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  24. 200 ftBear right, heading SE.
  25. 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

44% gravel2% other54% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:19 AMSunset 7:36 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.4 mi in (~11 min). Leave by 7:06 PM for the 7:36 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:02 PM — 2 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Maple / Jewish Family Services (EB) stop 42 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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