AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Island Lake State Recreation Area

Spring Mill Pond & Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach via Island Lake Pathway

5.3 mi · ▲ 84 ft · 1 hr 49 min

Spring Mill Pond & Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach via Island Lake Pathway is a 5.3-mile out-and-back in Island Lake State Recreation Area near Green Oak, MI. The route passes Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach, Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach and Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach before reaching Spring Mill Pond at the turnaround, 2.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 84 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi873 – 925 ft6.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Hickory Ridge Trail 42.51122, -83.68530
Nearest town Green Oak, MI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Spring Mill Pond & Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach via Island Lake Pathway

5.3 mi · ▲ 84 ft · 1 hr 49 min

Elevation 873–925 ft

Out & Back · Island Lake State Recreation Area

Trailhead: Hickory Ridge Trail · 42.51122, -83.68530

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

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Hickory Ridge Trail, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftPass Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach.
  3. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Island Lake Pathway, heading SW.
  4. 0.2 miBear left, heading SW.
  5. 50 ftPass Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach.
  6. 0.9 miBear left onto Meadow Picnic, heading W.
  7. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SW.
  8. 0.2 miSharp right, heading S.
  9. 0.1 miBear right, heading W.
  10. 150 ftBear right, heading SW.
  11. 150 ftBear right, heading SW.
  12. 50 ftTurn left onto Purple Trail, heading SW.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  14. 150 ftTurn right, heading S.
  15. 100 ftBear left, heading S.
  16. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  17. 400 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  18. 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
  19. 0.2 miPass Island Lake State Recreation Area Beach.
  20. 400 ftContinue straight onto Blue Trail, heading SW.
  21. 250 ftPass Spring Mill Pond.
  22. 0.1 miTurn left, heading W.
  23. 50 ftBear right, heading W.
  24. 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
  25. 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
  26. 150 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  27. 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
  28. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  29. 150 ftReach Spring Mill Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  30. 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  31. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  32. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  33. 150 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  34. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  35. 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
  36. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Purple Trail, heading SW.
  37. 0.3 miBear right, heading S.
  38. 0.1 miBear left, heading N.
  39. 500 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  40. 400 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  41. 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
  42. 100 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  43. 150 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  44. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  45. 150 ftBear left, heading NE.
  46. 150 ftBear left, heading E.
  47. 0.1 miSharp left, heading NE.
  48. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NE.
  49. 450 ftContinue straight onto Meadow Picnic, heading NE.
  50. 450 ftBear right onto Island Lake Pathway, heading E.
  51. 0.9 miBear right, heading NE.
  52. 0.2 miContinue straight onto Hickory Ridge Trail, heading NW.
  53. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/spring-mill-pond-island-lake-state-recreation-area-beach-out-back-13-beaches

Trail surface

42% paved11% dirt7% other40% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:23 AMSunset 7:34 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.8 mi in (~44 min). Leave by 6:30 PM for the 7:34 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:34 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Hickory Ridge Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Green Oak, Michigan