Outer Loop Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Wildlife

This trail is a multi-use trail open to equestrians and hikers during the summer months. In winter, it is open to Nordic skiers but is primarily a snowmobile trail.

From its junction with the Sykes Trail, this trail climbs, with a couple of steep sections, past junctions with the Walnut Trail and the Pine Grove Trail, to the crest of a ridge where it meets the Overlook Trail and the Ridge Trail at a place called Upper 4 Corners. It then descends in and out of four canyons to a shelter and a vault toilet. The Outer Loop Trail continues on, past a junction with the Box Elder Trail, to the parking area on Hardwood Lane off Hay Creek Hills Drive. You can also reach Hardwood Lane via a short use trail from the shelter / toilet area.

This is an area of rugged hills primarily forested in oaks, with elm, birch, basswood, and black cherry mixed in.