Richard Bong State Recreation Area

Urban Pond–Cigar Pond, 3 lakes

7.7 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 2 hr 35 min

Urban Pond–Cigar Pond, 3 lakes is a 7.7-mile out-and-back in Richard Bong State Recreation Area near Brighton, WI. The route passes Urban Pond and Technical Ponds before reaching Cigar Pond at the turnaround, 3.7 miles in. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain. It scores 8/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi791 – 846 ft7.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.63302, -88.12529
Nearest town Brighton, WI

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Urban Pond–Cigar Pond, 3 lakes

7.7 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 2 hr 35 min

Elevation 791–845 ft

Out & Back · Richard Bong State Recreation Area

Trailhead: 42.63302, -88.12529

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:38 AM · sunset 6:55 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 50 ftPass Urban Pond.
  3. 150 ftBear right, heading NW.
  4. 300 ftTurn right, heading E.
  5. 450 ftBear left, heading N.
  6. 0.1 miTurn left, heading W.
  7. 1.4 miTurn left, heading S.
  8. 0.7 miBear left, heading SW.
  9. 0.4 miTurn left, heading SW.
  10. 350 ftTurn right, heading S.
  11. 50 ftPass Technical Ponds.
  12. 100 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  13. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  14. 200 ftBear right, heading SW.
  15. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  16. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  17. 0.3 miPass Cigar Pond.
  18. 0.1 miReach Urban Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  19. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  20. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  21. 0.2 miBear left, heading E.
  22. 200 ftTurn left, heading E.
  23. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NE.
  24. 100 ftTurn left, heading N.
  25. 350 ftTurn right, heading N.
  26. 0.4 miBear right, heading E.
  27. 0.7 miTurn right, heading N.
  28. 1.4 miTurn right, heading E.
  29. 0.1 miBear right, heading E.
  30. 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
  31. 350 ftBear left, heading S.
  32. 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

12% dirt3% gravel85% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:38 AMSunset 6:55 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~6 min). Leave by 6:29 PM for the 6:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:17 PM — 7 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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