At the trailhead the Young Forest Loop departs west and quickly comes to a junction where continuing west (right) is a path that was constructed in 2015. This segment passes under a power line, skirts a small meadow and arrives at a junction with the Field and Forest Loop. Head right to continue on the loop and prepare for a steady climb through a mature northern hardwood forest.

In the next third of a mile there is a gain of 149 feet in elevation, reaching the high point of the trail, 759 feet, just before reaching the short spur, dubbed Manitou Passage View Trail, to the observation deck. The impressive wooden structure is reached at Mile 0.6 and allows you to stand over the edge of the steep cliff comprised of clay lenses, sand and gravel. The view is magnificent, with the most prominent landmarks being North Manitou Island, whose southern tip is only 10 miles due west, and the perched dunes of Pyramid Point to the southwest. Between the two is South Manitou Island; to the northwest is South Fox Island.

Backtrack to the Field and Forest Loop and head right to briefly skirt the cliffs — other than winter the hardwoods prevent a view of Lake Michigan from the trail. You then swing more due east and at Mile 1 break out into a large rye field where you are greeted with a view of Lake Leelanau surrounded by ridges, orchards and vineyards.

It’s classic Leelanau. The view remains until the trail enters the woods and makes a steady descent, including a switchback, bottoming out at the junction with the Young Forest Loop, reached at Mile 1.2.

Head right to continue on a wide trail that swings close enough to M-22 to hear the traffic. It also passes the rock walls of a Michigan basement, all that remains of the farmhouse that once stood there, before arriving at the trailhead at Mile 1.5.