Murphy Lake State Game Area, part two: Murphy Lake Rd. to Millington Rd. Or, The Deceptive Part of the Trail

So, Adventurers, you made it through Murphy Lake part one and feel invigorated?  You’re starting to feel like this outdoor business is pretty excellent?  And you want more?  It’s your lucky day, my friends—there’s more!

For another bike/hike/kid/dog-friendly trail experience, try Murphy Lake State Game Area, part two.

The Trail:

This section of trail is just shy of 1.5 miles long.  We’re going to start at one of the Murphy Lake Rd. parking lots and continue south (see map here).  If you come straight from the first section of the trail, on the north side of the road, you have to hoof it west on Murphy Lake Rd. about .25 mi to pick up the trail again (this is not included in the 1.5 mile measurement—if that’s a deal-breaker, you’ve been warned).  From the south parking lot it’s a shorter walk east to pick up the trail, but you still have to walk on the road to get there.  Not ideal, but the road isn’t tremendously busy.  Use your street smarts.

On the trail itself, you will see lots of trees.  Lots.  Of trees.  And no lake—which is sad, but geography is what it is.  You will also see many hills.  This is where the trail gets sneaky, because it starts with gentle rolling hills, and you think, “Hey, this isn’t so bad.  Look, another hill!  Whee!”  And for awhile, you’re right.  But then the hills get a little bigger, and a little steeper, and before you know it you’re out of breath and wondering where those friendly little hills went.  At least I’m out of breath.  Whatever, cardio people.  Whatever.  You cross several streams, mostly on spiffy little bridges, and encounter a few wet spots, usually avoidable.  When you reach Millington Rd., you’re done!  Now you can go back.  Or not.  There’s more trail out there…

The Pros and Cons:

Pro: The trail connects to other sections of trail for a longer outdoor adventure, but also has parking lots at either end for a shorter exploration.

Millington Rd. parking lot

Murphy Lake Rd. north parking lot

 

Murphy Lake Rd. south parking lot

Con: Only the Millington Rd. parking lot provides direct access to the trail.  Both Murphy Lake Rd. parking lots require a brief traipse down the road, which is dirt and not, like, a super-highway, but it does get traffic and there is no shoulder to speak of.  So be vigilant.  Side-note: if you haven’t read Murphy Lake part one, as far as I know the parking lots do not get plowed.  If there is any respectable amount of snow, have a 4-wheel drive or a shovel.  I would love to snowshoe out here in the winter, but am not motivated enough to clear a parking spot.  Be my inspiration.

Oh look!  Another hill!

Pro: There are lots of hills.  LOTS.  This is a novelty for Mid-Michigan—enjoy it as such.  Mountain bikers, this is for you.

Con: There are lots of hills.  LOTS.  If that’s not your thing, this is not your trail.  If you’re on the fence, in my completely unscientific opinion, anyone with a moderate fitness level and a little grit can handle this.  Need to take breaks?  Do it.  No shame.  The hills in this section aren’t as long/tall/whatever as the Swaffer to Murphy Lake segment—they’re just more frequent.  And during wet weather (all spring) consider bringing a walking stick.  At least one hill becomes a super fun mud slip-n-slide.  Wheeee!

Pro: Almost all the streams have very respectable bridges.  Well, very respectable in relative terms—they’re not the Mackinaw Bridge, but they work.  Back when we crossed on logs, Son #2 slipped off into the water and went bobbing down the stream (it was spring and the water was high).  I tell you, it’s amazing how waterproof windbreakers can be!  He finished the walk with wet feet but otherwise unharmed, 

and looks back on the incident fondly.  Boys.

Is that not a delightful footbridge?

Con: Not all the crossings have good bridges.  One is still a pretty makeshift affair.  This is really only a con if you want to avoid dirt and mud, and isn’t that why we’re here?  Embrace it!

The Knitty Gritty Details

You might recognize these from Murphy Lake, part one, but if not:

• There are no bathrooms and no garbage cans.  Plan accordingly
• This is a State Game Area.  During hunting season, wear orange or avoid
• Dog friendly!  Help us keep the trail poo-free!
• Questions about state land use policies?  Read more here

The Wrap-Up

Murphy Lake State Game Area, part two, has more trees, more hills, and less lake.  Take your kids!  Take your dog!  Take your bike!  Leave your swimsuit at home!  And gird up your loins for next time, when we explore Murphy Lake State Game Area, part three: Turkey Knob.

What in Blue Blazes?  It's a hairpin tun, Batman!  Good thing someone left these handy marks on the trail!

Murphy Lake State Game Area, part one: Swaffer Rd. to Murphy Lake Rd. Or, outdoor adventure for the more intrepid

Alright, adventurers!  Are you looking for a longer trail, more dirt, and fewer amenities?  And some pretty wicked (for mid-Michigan) hills?  Would you like it to be kid, dog, and bike friendly?  And you want some water adventuring, too?  Great! 

For your outdoor, toilet-free, wet and wild, two-legged, four-legged, or two-wheeled adventuring pleasure, I present to you: Murphy Lake State Game Area, on the edge of the Millington hills. 

The Trail

For this first section of the trail (Swaffer Rd. to Murphy Lake Rd.), we’re going to start at the Swaffer Rd. parking lot (see a not-super-helpful-but-sort-of-good-enough map here) and head south. 

Swaffer Rd. Parking Lot.  Note the helpful lack of signage

The trail is more than a mile but less than two, one way.  You’ll have some nice views of Murphy Lake before you wander into some very respectable hills.  Seriously, some of them are pretty gnarly, especially if they are a) wet and muddy, or b) covered in dry leaves.  Then they are as slippery as a wet baby riding a greased pig.  There are several wet areas that you traverse on boards, logs, and luck, and one section of trail that is excitingly ambiguous.  Keep looking for the blue and white blazes on the trees and you’ll be ok.  What’s the worst that can happen, right?  When you hit the dirt road, congratulations!  Now you can turn around and do it all again, but backwards.

And Then There’s Water

Those are islands out there.  I promise.

Are you an aquatic adventurer?  Murphy Lake is a popular spot to swim, fish, kayak, boat, etc.  There’s a boat launch on the south side of the lake (see the map) if you don’t feel a burning desire to haul your aqueous vessel down the half-overgrown trail to the beach from the Swaffer Rd. parking area.  Pansy.  Personally, I get a kick out of swimming to the islands.  They are small and covered in goose poop, but after a fifteen-minute swim, I sort of feel like they’re mine.

The Pros and Cons

Pro: There are decent parking lots at either end of the trail that can accommodate several cars, if parked with a bit of common sense.  Easy access is our friend!

Con: The parking lots are not that spacious, so if you want to adventure on a hot day when everyone else wants to swim, you may have trouble getting a spot.  And if there is more than half a foot of snow on the ground, you can forget parking unless you have a four-wheel drive vehicle—to the best of my knowledge, these lots do not get plowed.

Pro: The trail covers a wide variety of terrain.  For mid-Michigan, anyway.  It starts out low and wet, then climbs up into higher, dryer hills with oak, maple and sassafras trees.  And then it goes back down, and up, and down….

Con: The low, wet parts of the trail are passable in dry weather, and complete rubbish in wet weather.  Like, La Brea Tar Pits rubbish.  And what loves low, wet areas?  Mosquitos.  So during bug season, bring the DEET—or a pint of blood to top yourself off at the end of your outdoor adventure.

Pro: This is a less civilized, more wildernessy trail that gives a more authentic and challenging hiking/biking/trail running experience, and it connects to other sections of trail if you’re feeling ambitious.  Yes, it’s a good day. 

Stream with wooden bridge

Con: This being a less civilized, more wildernessy trail means no garbage cans and no bathroom, not even a vault toilet (boo!).  No garbage cans means trash and broken bottles, especially at the beach area.  People like to fish and have fires.  They do not so much like to pick up their trash.  So watch the little ones and dogs, we have found all sorts of delightfully sharp and occasionally disgusting things on the trail.  And no bathroom means…well, no bathroom.  So if you have to go, you will be going in the woods and washing up in a stream.  Anyone have boys?  They will find this highly entertaining.  Ask how I know.

The Knitty Gritty Details

•      This is a state game area—during hunting season, wear orange, or             avoid entirely
•        Dogs are totally allowed.  Have fun! And see above—orange goes for         your furry friends, too
•       This is not a loop.  When you reach the end, you’re really at the                 halfway point :)
•        For more details on the cans and cannots of state land, read this

Cleo the Adventure Dog

The Wrap-Up

Murphy Lake State Game Area is a longer, more challenging trail for the not-quite-beginner, with opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming, and assorted outdoor adventuring.  Bring the dogs and kids!  Bring bug spray!  Bring a swimsuit!  And bring a trash bag!  Because seriously—I’m sharing an adventure with you.  Don’t share your trash with me.

Indianfields Township Park: Outdoor Adventure for the Beginner

Are you looking for an outdoor adventure, but have less than an hour to adventure in?  Need somewhere new to walk the dog?  Want your kids to get dirty?  And you want all of these things, plus toilets and garbage cans?  Me too!

Helpful signage!

For your outdoor adventuring consideration, I offer Indianfields Township Park.  The park is just south of Caro on M-81 (that’s Thumb country, my friends).  The official township website has a lovely blurb about the history of the park and some of its features, which you can find here.  I advise you to give it a look—good park data is so novel!—but check it out on your own time, because we're going to skip to the fun stuff:

The Trail

Indianfields has a nice rustic pathway through the woods that I’m going to refer to as a Goldilocks Trail: not too short, not too long, not too hard, not too easy.  It usually takes me a half hour or so to walk the main loop, depending on how sniffy the dog wants to be.  A good chunk of the trail follows the west bank of the Cass River and feels pretty isolated and wildernessy.  There’s a stairway down to the river (I’m talking to you, kayakers!), streams to cross on wooden bridges, loads of wildflowers in the spring, changing leaves in the fall, a decent hill for you sicko runners and endurance people, and several smaller loops you can link to if you just aren’t ready to stop walking yet.  And bathrooms!  Did I mention bathrooms?  They’re not the prettiest, and they aren’t always open (used to be they were only open when the park was officially open, but they were open earlier this year…not sure if this is a trend or an anomaly), but they are plumbing and I am a fan.

The Pros and Cons

Pro: An easily accessible parking lot with multiple parking areas

Con: The parking lot is only open when the park is officially open (April through October); during the winter the drive is gated closed, but parking is possible, with a little ingenuity, outside the fence.  Have no fear!  You won’t be the only one using the park during the off season.  It’s so popular that the unofficial parking lot gets plowed during the winter. 

Pro: A scenic river walk along the mighty Cass, with possibility of duck, goose, heron and eagle sightings

Con: The scenic river walk becomes a flooded river walk almost every spring.  The flooding jacks up the trail for a few weeks (or longer) and drops all sorts of interesting debris (ok, mostly just sticks, logs, large trees, etc.) and some mud with a pretty delightful aroma.  The dedicated outdoor adventurer will not be daunted by these challenges and will happily off-road around obstacles until the trail is cleared by maintenance crews, but others may want to stick to the smaller loops on higher ground.

Pro:  The trail is largely wooded (I think this is a pro, others may find it too enclosed or view-inhibiting), providing plenty of shade and shelter from wind and weather.  And it’s just pretty, darn it.  One of my favorite trees, the Eastern Hemlock, is abundant in the park, so I admit to being partial.

Con: Trees fall.  Sometimes really big trees.  Sometimes across the trail.  Sometimes they bring a friend or two with them, and you have a truly tangled mess that requires some creative navigation.  Personally, I like the challenge.  I feel daring and liberated when I climb over trunks and under limbs—I am a wild jungle beast!  Fear me!  But others may not have the mobility to make that appealing.  During the winter, these trees tend to stay where they fall.  Don’t worry—crews will come through in the spring (or after a storm during the open season) and do some cleanup; and until then, someone will blaze a detour.

The Nitty Gritty Details

Park Rules and Information 

• No Firearms
• No motorized vehicles on trails
• No Hunting
• No Camping
• No Fireworks
• Fires only in designated areas
• All dogs must be on a leash
• Please remain on the trails
• Pavilions can be reserved for a $25 fee. Call (989) 673-3416 and leave a message.
• The ball diamond, horseshoes and volleyball court are also available for reservation at no additional fee.
• Use of the park is at your own risk.

Indianfields Township Park

2229 W. Caro Rd. (M-81)

Caro, MI 48723

This is all taken directly from the Indianfields Township website I linked to above—go there!  Read!

The Wrap-up

Indianfields Township Park is one of my absolute local favorites.  Take your kids!  Take your dog!  Take your canoe or kayak!  Take some charcoal and cook something over a fire!  Take your camera!  And take care of your dog poop!  Because seriously, this is what decent human beings (and outdoor adventurers) do.

The Mighty Cass