From the trailhead at the parking area you quickly reach post No. 1 and then head west (left) to enter a gently rolling woods of jack pine. Soon, the pathway follows the rim of a long, pine-studded sinkhole valley past post No. 2 to post No. 3, reached at Mile 1. Post No. 2 marks the crossover spur for the 2-mile Loop A with the returned reached after a steep descend and climb out of the ravine. Post No. 3 marks the crossover for Loop B, a 3.1-mile route.

Within a third of a mile from post No. 3, the pathway crosses County Road 495, a snowmobile trail in the winter, and then a gas line corridor. More scenic terrain lies ahead on Loop C. The trail winds through rolling hardwoods before climbing a ridge above Crystal Lake, just before arriving at post No. 4 at Mile 2.2.

The post marks the steepest hill of the pathway, a wild dog-leg descent to the shoreline the lake. With the exception of a lone cabin, Crystal Lake is undeveloped, and it’s frozen, usually unmarred surface is a beautiful sight. The trail immediately climbs away from the lake, the steepest ascent of the day, and then swings west (left) onto an old two-track when it tops off. Keep an eye out for trail markers here.

At Mile 2.7 Hidden Lake, a cylindrical sinkhole lake that is surrounded steep wooded bluffs, pops into view. A downhill run follows and then the pathway swings east and emerges from the woods into its first clearing crowned by a capped gas well. A handful such pipes follow before the trailhead is reached — partially buried in snow, the wells do not seem as intrusive as much as when they were active wells.

County Road 495 is re-crossed at Mile 3.4 and Post No. 5, marking the return of Loop B at Mile 4. For the next mile the pathway remains relatively flat, winding between woods and open meadows with capped gas wells. At Mile 4.5, post No. 6 is passed and 0.7 mile later you arrive at the edge of a sinkhole, where somebody, no doubt two befuddled skiers, have posted a sign that reads “Willie’s Wipeout & Teresa’s Trauma” with arrows posted in opposite directions. Here the pathway descends into the sinkhole and then climbs out and no matter whose route you follow, Teresa’s or Willie’s, either can be a short downhill thrill on skis.

The pathway swings south and resumes following the rim of the sinkhole-filled ravine for one last stretch of interesting scenery before reaching post No. 1 at Mile 6.