Sunset hikes

A short walk out, the whole show, and back at your car before dark. Times are estimates at a relaxed pace; give yourself extra buffer, especially with kids or in a group.

1. Upper Straits Lake–Middle Straits Lake, 3 lakes 0 mi away

   Leave by 5:20 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:20 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:38 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 9:38 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   4.5 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 223 min of walking

2. Vernal Ponds & Branch Tipi via West Bloomfield Trail 1.5 mi away

   Leave by 5:47 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:47 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:11 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 9:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.4 mi to the viewpoint · 100 ft climb · 169 min of walking

3. Orchard Lake–Pine Lake, 7 lakes 1.6 mi away

   Leave by 5:52 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:52 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:06 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 9:06 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.2 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 159 min of walking

4. Whitetail Ridge Viewpoint & Vernal Ponds via West Bloomfield Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:58 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:58 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:01 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 9:01 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.0 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 148 min of walking

5. Middle Straits Lake & Cebia Beach via West Bloomfield Trail 1.7 mi away

   Leave by 5:55 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:55 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:04 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 9:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 154 min of walking

6. Cass Lake–Upper Straits Lake, 4 lakes 1.8 mi away

   Leave by 5:56 PM

   1. Leave trailhead5:56 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car9:02 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 9:02 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   3.1 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 152 min of walking

7. deer Viewpoint–Vernal Ponds, 3 sights 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:02 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:02 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:56 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:56 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.8 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 138 min of walking

8. Westwind Lake via West Bloomfield Trail 2 mi away

   Leave by 6:12 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:46 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 70 ft climb · 119 min of walking

9. Woodpecker Lake–W.B. Woods Nature Preserve Viewpoint, 4 sights 2.5 mi away

   Leave by 6:15 PM

   1. Leave trailhead6:15 PM
   2. Sunset7:33 PM
   3. Head back7:48 PM
   4. At your car8:44 PM
   5. Dark8:01 PM

   Back at your car by 8:44 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

   2.3 mi to the viewpoint · 80 ft climb · 114 min of walking

10. Westwind Lake via West Bloomfield Trail 2.5 mi away

    Leave by 6:12 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:12 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Head back7:48 PM
    4. At your car8:46 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

    Back at your car by 8:46 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    2.4 mi to the viewpoint · 90 ft climb · 118 min of walking

11. Stick Lean-To via West Bloomfield Trail 3.4 mi away

    Leave by 6:47 PM

    1. Leave trailhead6:47 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Head back7:48 PM
    4. At your car8:13 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

    Back at your car by 8:13 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    1.0 mi to the viewpoint · 52 min of walking

12. Flood Water Spot & Lake Michael 2.6 mi away

    Leave by 5:38 PM

    1. Leave trailhead5:38 PM
    2. Sunset7:33 PM
    3. Head back7:48 PM
    4. At your car9:22 PM
    5. Dark8:01 PM

    Back at your car by 9:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

    3.8 mi to the viewpoint · 120 ft climb · 189 min of walking