Brighton State Recreation Area

Lost Loop & Racoon Swamp via Murray Lake Trail

2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 41 min

Lost Loop & Racoon Swamp via Murray Lake Trail is a 2-mile out-and-back in Brighton State Recreation Area near Parishfield, MI. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain. It scores 49/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi873 – 922 ft2.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.51402, -83.81188
Nearest town Parishfield, MI

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Lost Loop & Racoon Swamp via Murray Lake Trail

2 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 41 min

Elevation 872–922 ft

Out & Back · Brighton State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 42.51402, -83.81188

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 7:23 AM · sunset 7:34 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 150 ftTurn left onto Ralph's Ride, heading SE.
  3. 500 ftBear left onto Lost Loop, heading S.
  4. 0.2 miBear left, heading SW.
  5. 50 ftSharp right, heading SW.
  6. 300 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading S.
  7. 0.6 miBear left onto Racoon Swamp, heading S.
  8. 350 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SW.
  9. 50 ftReach Lost Loop, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 50 ftTurn right onto Racoon Swamp, heading SW.
  11. 300 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SE.
  12. 0.6 miTurn right onto Lost Loop, heading S.
  13. 150 ftBear right, heading S.
  14. 100 ftSharp left, heading SE.
  15. 0.2 miBear right onto Ralph's Ride, heading E.
  16. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  17. 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

93% other3% dirt1% boardwalk3% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:23 AMSunset 7:34 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~24 min). Leave by 6:50 PM for the 7:34 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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