Drake Sports Park

West Bloomfield Viewpoint–Vernal Ponds Loop, 4 sights

6.3 mi · ▲ 81 ft · 2 hr 8 min

West Bloomfield Viewpoint–Vernal Ponds Loop, 4 sights is a 6.3-mile loop in Drake Sports Park near North Farmington, MI. The route passes Vernal Ponds, Park Ridge Christmas Tree, West Bloomfield Viewpoint and 2 more. It is mostly level, with 81 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi938 – 1,014 ft7.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.53686, -83.39992
Nearest town North Farmington, MI

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

West Bloomfield Viewpoint–Vernal Ponds Loop, 4 sights

6.3 mi · ▲ 81 ft · 2 hr 8 min

Elevation 937–1,012 ft

Loop · Drake Sports Park

Trailhead: 42.53686, -83.39992

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

Transit-accessible: Maple / Drake (EB) stop 553 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 200 ftTurn right, heading E.
  3. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  4. 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
  5. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  6. 100 ftTurn left, heading N.
  7. 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  8. 0.3 miTurn left onto Pebble Creek Ravine Trail, heading N.
  9. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  10. 0.6 miTurn left, heading N.
  11. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NW.
  12. 0.3 miSharp left onto West Bloomfield Trail, heading N.
  13. 0.6 miPass Vernal Ponds.
  14. 0.1 miPass Park Ridge Christmas Tree.
  15. 300 ftPass West Bloomfield Viewpoint.
  16. 50 ftPass The Value of Wetlands.
  17. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Owl Mesa Trail Loop, heading W.
  18. 450 ftTurn right onto West Bloomfield Trail, heading W.
  19. 0.1 miPass West Bloomfield Viewpoint.
  20. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
  21. 1.7 miTurn left, heading E.
  22. 50 ftBear right, heading E.
  23. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  24. 350 ftSharp right, heading E.
  25. 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
  26. 0.5 miBear left, heading E.
  27. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  28. 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  29. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  30. 50 ftThe loop closes back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

23% gravel2% other1% boardwalk74% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:19 AMSunset 7:36 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~21 min). Leave by 6:56 PM for the 7:36 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:12 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Maple / Drake (EB) stop 553 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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