AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Simpson Lake–Stick Lean-To, 3 lakes

7.8 mi · ▲ 135 ft · 2 hr 40 min

Simpson Lake–Stick Lean-To, 3 lakes is a 7.8-mile out-and-back near Orchard Lake, MI. The route passes Harris Lake and Simpson Lake before reaching Stick Lean-To at the turnaround, 3.9 miles in. It is mostly level, with 135 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi879 – 1,007 ft8.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.56361, -83.34892
Nearest town Orchard Lake, MI
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Simpson Lake–Stick Lean-To, 3 lakes

7.8 mi · ▲ 135 ft · 2 hr 40 min

Elevation 881–1,009 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: 42.56361, -83.34892

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 7:20 AM · sunset 7:34 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading W.
  2. 50 ftPass Harris Lake.
  3. 50 ftPass Simpson Lake.
  4. 100 ftTurn left, heading S.
  5. 0.3 miTurn left, heading S.
  6. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  7. 0.5 miTurn right, heading W.
  8. 50 ftSharp left, heading W.
  9. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  10. 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
  11. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  12. 1 miTurn left, heading W.
  13. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  14. 0.4 miTurn left, heading W.
  15. 50 ftTurn right, heading W.
  16. 0.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
  17. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  18. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NW.
  19. 0.3 miSharp left onto West Bloomfield Trail, heading W.
  20. 0.1 miPass Stick Lean-To.
  21. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  22. 150 ftSharp right, heading N.
  23. 350 ftReach Simpson Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  24. 350 ftSharp left, heading N.
  25. 0.2 miSharp right, heading W.
  26. 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
  27. 0.6 miTurn right, heading SE.
  28. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  29. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  30. 50 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  31. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  32. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  33. 1 miTurn left, heading E.
  34. 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
  35. 0.4 miTurn left, heading E.
  36. 50 ftSharp right, heading E.
  37. 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
  38. 0.5 miTurn left, heading E.
  39. 0.1 miTurn right, heading E.
  40. 0.3 miTurn right, heading E.
  41. 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/vernal-ponds-simpson-lake-out-back-3-lakes

Trail surface

3% gravel1% paved96% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 7:20 AMSunset 7:34 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.1 mi in (~80 min). Leave by 5:54 PM for the 7:34 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Orchard Lake, Michigan