The trailhead for the Ledges Trail is just east of the large red barn that serves as the home to the Spotlight Theater. The trail immediately descends to the Grand River via a long stairway and crosses a bridge over Sandstone Creek to reach the first set of ledges on the other side. The impressive rock cliffs were formed 270 million years ago when most of Michigan was covered by water that carried and deposited sediments (sand, silt, and clay) in layers along river banks and beaches. After time and pressure compacted the layers into rock, the Grand River sculptured the cliffs through years of erosion.

On both sides of Sand Creek are several short side trails; River Bottom and Baneberry Trails on the west side, Sandstone Creek Trail on the east. The Ledges Trail continues east skirting the Grand River and within 0.3 miles passes underneath a 19th century railroad trestle and leaves the Eaton County park.

The remainder of the trail crosses private property but only a couple of houses pop into view above you. Most of the time you are secluded among hemlock pines with the Grand River on one side of you and the sandstone cliffs on the other.

Within a half mile you reach the spot where its possible to see the steepest ledges in the area on the north bank of the river. These 70-feet-tall cliffs is where rock climbers congregate. A pair of binoculars will assist in watching the climbers though by June the heavy foliage on both sides of the river blocks a good portion of the view.

The trail ends at the bridge to Island Park, a long, narrow island in the middle of the Grand River with benches, picnic tables and small docks along the shoreline. It\'s an ideal spot to enjoy an extended break before beginning the return to Fitzgerald Park.

If there are climbers on the Ledges, you can also watch them in Oak Park on the north side of the Grand River, reached from M-100 by heading west on Front Street. For more on rock climbing at Grand Ledge check the website Grand Ledge Climbing (grandledgeclimbing.com).