AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Brighton State Recreation Area

Rock Bath Overlook–Reed Lake, 5 sights

4.3 mi · ▲ 142 ft · 1 hr 30 min

Rock Bath Overlook–Reed Lake, 5 sights is a 4.3-mile out-and-back in Brighton State Recreation Area near Parishfield, MI. The route passes Reed Lake, Brighton State Recreation Area Beach and Rock Bath Overlook. It is mostly level, with 142 ft of elevation gain. It scores 56/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi889 – 997 ft4.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.50225, -83.82031
Nearest town Parishfield, MI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Rock Bath Overlook–Reed Lake, 5 sights

4.3 mi · ▲ 142 ft · 1 hr 30 min

Elevation 890–997 ft

Out & Back · Brighton State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 42.50225, -83.82031

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading N.
  3. 0.3 miPass Reed Lake.
  4. 350 ftBear right, heading W.
  5. 0.2 miPass Brighton State Recreation Area Beach.
  6. 100 ftBear left onto Murray Lake, heading W.
  7. 50 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading W.
  8. 100 ftTurn right onto Torn Shirt & Murray Lake Trails, heading SW.
  9. 200 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SW.
  10. 150 ftBear left onto Torn Shirt & Murray Lake Trails, heading SW.
  11. 50 ftContinue straight onto Murray Lake Trail, heading SW.
  12. 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
  13. 100 ftContinue straight onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading W.
  14. 0.2 miTurn left onto Kahchin Hiking Trail, heading SW.
  15. 0.5 miPass Rock Bath Overlook.
  16. 100 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  17. 0.6 miSharp left onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading SW.
  18. 0.2 miReach Rock Bath Overlook, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 0.2 miSharp right, heading NE.
  20. 0.6 miTurn left onto Kahchin Hiking Trail, heading N.
  21. 0.5 miTurn right onto Penosha Hiking Trail, heading N.
  22. 0.2 miTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading NW.
  23. 100 ftContinue straight onto Torn Shirt & Murray Lake Trails, heading NW.
  24. 50 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading NW.
  25. 150 ftTurn right onto Torn Shirt & Murray Lake Trails, heading W.
  26. 200 ftTurn left onto Murray Lake Trail, heading W.
  27. 100 ftBear left onto Murray Lake, heading W.
  28. 50 ftBear right onto Murray Lake Trail, heading W.
  29. 0.2 miBear right, heading N.
  30. 0.4 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/rock-bath-overlook-reed-lake-out-back-6-sights-7-km

Trail surface

73% other27% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:21 AMSunset 7:38 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~47 min). Leave by 6:31 PM for the 7:38 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Parishfield, Michigan