Little Mary Lake–Nature Observation, 3 sights
3.6 mi · ▲ 114 ft · 1 hr 15 min
Little Mary Lake–Nature Observation, 3 sights is a 3.6-mile out-and-back in Lake Maria State Park near Silver Creek, MN. The route passes Nature Observation and Little Mary Lake. It is mostly level, with 114 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 72/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Little Mary Lake–Nature Observation, 3 sights
3.6 mi · ▲ 114 ft · 1 hr 15 min
Elevation 971–1,034 ft
Out & Back · Lake Maria State Park
Trailhead: 45.32189, -93.94480
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:19 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading E.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 450 ftTurn left onto Big Woods Loop, heading W.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftPass Nature Observation.
- 50 ftPass Little Mary Lake.
- 0.5 miReach Little Mary Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 1.2 miTurn right, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 350 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:59 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:19 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:49 PM.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Maria Lake & Big Woods Loop, Bjorkland Trail via Anderson Hill Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 194 ft
- Anderson Hill Lookout–Putnam Lake Loop, 6 sights 3.4 mi · ▲ 141 ft
- Kettle Kame Trail Loop via Big Woods Loop 2.5 mi · ▲ 134 ft
- Big Woods Loop, Bjorkland Trail & Big Woods Loop Loop 3.1 mi · ▲ 139 ft
Get outside more
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Hikes near Silver Creek, Minnesota