AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Brighton State Recreation Area

Little Appleton Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 5 sights

6.1 mi · ▲ 328 ft · 2 hr 12 min

Little Appleton Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 5 sights is a 6.1-mile out-and-back in Brighton State Recreation Area near Parishfield, MI. The route passes Brighton State Recreation Area Beach before reaching Little Appleton Lake at the turnaround, 3 miles in. It climbs 328 ft. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi886 – 1,043 ft6.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Penosha Hiking Trail 42.48564, -83.82483
Nearest town Parishfield, MI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Little Appleton Lake–Brighton State Recreation Area Beach, 5 sights

6.1 mi · ▲ 328 ft · 2 hr 12 min

Elevation 885–1,045 ft

Out & Back · Brighton State Recreation Area

Trailhead: Penosha Hiking Trail · 42.48564, -83.82483

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:21 AM · sunset 7:38 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Penosha Hiking Trail, heading SE.
  2. 1.6 miContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading W.
  3. 450 ftTurn right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading SW.
  4. 50 ftTurn right onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SW.
  5. 350 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NW.
  6. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SW.
  7. 50 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftBear right onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SW.
  9. 350 ftBear right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading SW.
  10. 0.3 miPass Brighton State Recreation Area Beach.
  11. 250 ftTurn left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading N.
  12. 50 ftTurn right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading N.
  13. 250 ftContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading NW.
  14. 150 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NW.
  15. 350 ftTurn right onto Appleton Lake Loop, heading W.
  16. 0.3 miBear left, heading NW.
  17. 50 ftReach Little Appleton Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  18. 150 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  19. 0.3 miTurn left, heading N.
  20. 300 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading N.
  21. 100 ftContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading NE.
  22. 50 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading S.
  23. 250 ftTurn left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SE.
  24. 50 ftTurn right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading SE.
  25. 0.4 miBear left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SW.
  26. 350 ftBear left onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NE.
  27. 50 ftContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading NE.
  28. 50 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NE.
  29. 0.5 miContinue straight onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading E.
  30. 300 ftTurn left onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading E.
  31. 50 ftTurn left onto Torn Shirt Trail, heading SE.
  32. 450 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading NE.
  33. 1.5 miArrive 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/little-appleton-lake-little-appleton-lake-out-back-5-sights

Trail surface

90% other2% dirt8% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:21 AMSunset 7:38 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 7:18 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:38 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 8:06 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Penosha Hiking Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Parishfield, Michigan