Whale Tail–Step-Up/Down Loop, 5 sights
2.8 mi · ▲ 57 ft · 58 min
Whale Tail–Step-Up/Down Loop, 5 sights is a 2.8-mile loop in Stony Creek Metropark near Stony Creek, MI. The route passes Step-Up/Down and Whale Tail. It is mostly level, with 57 ft of elevation gain. It scores 19/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Whale Tail–Step-Up/Down Loop, 5 sights
2.8 mi · ▲ 57 ft · 58 min
Elevation 801–915 ft
Loop · Stony Creek Metropark
Trailhead: 42.72329, -83.12560
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 7:18 AM · sunset 7:35 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn left onto #26-#27, heading N.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 350 ftBear right onto #26-#43, heading S.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto #12-#43, heading S.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Roller Coaster, heading E.
- 50 ftBear left onto Ridgeline, heading E.
- 300 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto #23-#34, heading S.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto #33-#34, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto #29-#33, heading SE.
- 0.2 miBear left onto #28-#29, heading S.
- 300 ftBear right onto #17-#28, heading SW.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto #16-#17, heading W.
- 150 ftPass Step-Up/Down.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Pines, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto #16-#17, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Pines, heading W.
- 150 ftPass Whale Tail.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto #16-#17, heading W.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Pines, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto #16-#27, heading W.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto #26-#27, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading N.
- 50 ftThe loop closes 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 1.2 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 6:44 PM for the 7:35 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:21 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint
More from this trailhead
- Back Nine Jump Line–Back Nine Drops Loop, 5 sights 2 mi · ▲ 27 ft
- Roller Coaster Jump Line–Log Drop Loop, 7 sights 2.2 mi · ▲ 112 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Stony Creek, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Stony Creek, Michigan