Square Lake–Elkhorn Lake, 3 lakes
6.8 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 2 hr 18 min
Square Lake–Elkhorn Lake, 3 lakes is a 6.8-mile out-and-back in Polly Ann Trail near Rudds Mill, MI. The route passes Buckhorn Lake and Elkhorn Lake before reaching Square Lake at the turnaround, 3.4 miles in. It is mostly level, with 82 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Square Lake–Elkhorn Lake, 3 lakes
6.8 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 2 hr 18 min
Elevation 974–1,037 ft
Out & Back · Polly Ann Trail
Trailhead: 42.75243, -83.24049
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:19 AM · sunset 7:36 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 450 ftPass Buckhorn Lake.
- 350 ftSharp left, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Paint Creek to Polly Ann Trail Connector, heading NW.
- 1.4 miPass Elkhorn Lake.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Polly Ann Trail, heading NW.
- 0.4 miReach Square Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Paint Creek to Polly Ann Trail Connector, heading S.
- 2 miTurn right, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 100 ftSharp right, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.6 mi in (~40 min). Leave by 6:36 PM for the 7:36 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Elkhorn Lake–Buckhorn Lake, 3 lakes 11.5 mi · ▲ 160 ft
- Voorheis Lake–Lake Sixteen, 5 lakes 8.4 mi · ▲ 83 ft
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