The Anderson Lake Pathway is a 6-mile non-motorized trail system located about 5 miles southwest of Gwinn, Michigan. Managed as part of the state forest, the pathway features three interconnected loops ranging from 2.5 to 4.3 miles that wind through rolling terrain, dense hardwood, and conifer forests.
The trail starts at the Anderson Lake West State Forest Campground, making it a quiet spot for hiking and mountain biking in the warmer months. When snow falls, the route changes into a tracked cross-country skiing destination with a plowed parking area. Visitors can also fish or paddle on Anderson Lake, or enjoy rustic camping right next to the trailhead.
While hiking this trail, I came across a lot of beautiful trees. I had to stop and take pictures of the last trees that look like a Great Dane. Scooby Scooby Doo!
Here are some mushrooms that I found along the trail. Some edible, some not.
The trail had loops that were marked well with maps and directions.
I had to stop to take a picture of a beautiful maple leaf, some hikers, and berries. The piece of birchwood bark I found made me remember back in school how the Native Americans used these as paper. So I took out a pen and wrote a love note to my wife and gave it to her.
Here are some images of the trail itself. It had information markers along the path and wooden planks for the muddier areas.
Anderson Lake West State Campground is in the midst of the trail. We camped here for a while. The campground is a rustic, secluded campground featuring 13 first-come, first-served campsites. It offers basic amenities including vault toilets, potable water from a hand-pump well, a gravel boat launch, a picnic table and fire ring at each site, and direct access to the 6-mile Anderson Lake Pathway.
The fishing was pretty good here.
Address: Anderson Lake Lane (County Road 557), Gwinn, MI 49841
Countie(s) trail is located in: Marquette
Trail Type(s): Hiking, Mountain Biking, Cross Country Skiing
Trail Measurement: 6 Miles (Three distinct loops ranging from 2.5 to 4.3 miles)
References and More Info
- Compass Latitude: 46° 13′ 23.28″ N
- Compass Longitude: 87° 29′ 40.38″ W
- Numeric Latitude: 46.22313208
- Numeric Longitude: -87.49454909
- Elevation in Feet: 1,083 feet above sea level
- Elevation in Meters: 330 meters above sea level
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