Quiet hikers have a good chance of viewing resident great blue heron feeding at water's edge. When spooked, they flee across the water's surface looking much like a prehistoric creature.

Long Lake Trail adjoins the Sassafras Nature Trail and has a starting point from South Briggs Road just north of the area headquarters. The trail enters a boardwalk crossing a beautiful bog area, continues down an old wagon road and leads to Grave Hill. Watch for great blue heron at water's edge. From this point, the trail leads to the Devil's Soupbowl where it connects with the Chief Noonday Trail. The Noonday Trail leads to signs and markers for a return to the Long Lake Trail.

Directions: From Wayland, MI, Take US 131 south turning east at the Bradley exit. Take CR A-42 (Chief Noonday Road) east to Gun Lake Road following the signs to Yankee Springs Headquarters. Obtain detailed park map at this point.

Elevation: 1,000 feet

Distance: 5 miles

Difficulty: Easy

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