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.