Little Mary Lake–Nature Observation, 4 sights
5.8 mi · ▲ 224 ft · 2 hr 3 min
Little Mary Lake–Nature Observation, 4 sights is a 5.8-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 224 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 70/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Little Mary Lake–Nature Observation, 4 sights
5.8 mi · ▲ 224 ft · 2 hr 3 min
Elevation 972–1,062 ft
Out & Back · Lake Maria State Park
Trailhead: 45.30415, -93.93712
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:01 AM · sunset 7:19 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 0.7 miTurn left onto Big Woods Loop, Anderson Hill Loop, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Anderson Hill Loop, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Kettle Kame Trail, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Big Woods Loop, heading NW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading N.
- 0.6 miPass Nature Observation.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 450 ftReach Little Mary Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 250 ftSharp left, heading W.
- 1.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Anderson Hill Loop, heading E.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Big Woods Loop, Anderson Hill Loop, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.7 miArrive 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 1.1 mi in (~27 min). Leave by 6:32 PM for the 7:19 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint
More from this trailhead
- Maria Lake–Viewing point Loop, 4 sights 2.6 mi · ▲ 92 ft
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Hikes near Silver Creek, Minnesota