Begin west of the warming shelter at a gate across a service drive that heads uphill to the Boyne City water reservoir facility. The Walking Trail follows the service drive briefly before swinging west (right) off it onto a more rutted two-track.

Now the climbing begins. On the way up to Avalanche Peak you pass a junction with a spur to Pleasant Valley Avenue and cross the mountain bike trail. At Mile 0.4 the Walking Trail tops off in a clearing near a cement tower that once was part of a downhill ski lift. Just to the left are the observation decks.

Take time to enjoy the view, there isn’t a better one south of the Mackinac Bridge. At your feet is Boyne City while stretching out to the west is Lake Charlevoix, often dotted with sailboats. If it’s October, the ridges and hills surrounding the lake will be painted in shades of Halloween.

The area around the ski lift tower can be confusing with two-tracks and trails seemingly headed in every direction. Hikers want to head right near the cement tower where the Walking Trail dips back into the woods. Within a quarter mile the trail passes a picnic table and then descends briefly before making a long climb. You’re following the crest of the ridge here and will be able to peer down into the forest on either side of you.

At Mile 1 you reach the 1,023-foot high point of Avalanche Preserve and then descend another long slope. This descent lasts almost a half mile and leads you through the rugged backside of the preserve. Just before breaking into an open field, you pass a pair of confusing junctions. The first is a spur of the Walking Trail that heads west and remains in the woods. The second is the mountain bike trail. This loop, the easiest to follow, continues north and enters the field.

At Mile 1.6 you arrive at a junction with another two-track that leads due north to Contractors Drive. Head left here to re-enter the forest. You break out at a power line at Mile 2 and within view of the Parkview Apartments. A spur at this junction heads north to Division Street and used mostly by snowmobilers in the winter.

Head west (left) and follow the trail along the utility right-of-way and in less than a quarter mile you’ll return to the Avalanche Warming Shelter.