From the trailhead parking area, the trail heads west, immediately crosses the first loop, then Reynolds Road and arrives at post No. 5. By heading north (right) at this junction, you’ll skirt a bluff forested in maples and oak, spot Shavanaugh Lake, and then descend to the water. You climb away from Shavanaugh and then descend to the shoreline of Mary’s Lake and skirt briefly before climbing a ridge to post No. 6, reached at Mile 0.6.

Heading right at Post 6, the trail travels along a bluff above Mary’s Lake, but only quick glimpses of the water is possible most of the summer due to the foliage. The trail crosses more hilly terrain and at one point breaks out to views of the low-lying wetlands that stand between Mary’s and Tarnwood Lake before descending to post No. 7 just before Mile 1.

The second cutoff spur departs here for Post 9, which lies a quarter mile to the south. Head west (right) as the main loop resumes climbing, crossing a couple of hills before reaching the high point of 860 feet. There it’s possible to see both bodies of water that make up Tarnwood Lake and the swamp that lies between them.

At this point, the trail swings 180 degrees to the south and follows the crest of a ridge that soon becomes a rapid descent to the bog below. The trail skirts the wetlands, quickly arrives at post No. 8 at Mile 1.7, then heads due south. You continue through the hilly terrain before descending to the Platte River, best known around the state as the first Michigan river to receive a planting of coho salmon in 1966.

The trail swings east here and follows the river for the next 0.3 mile that includes a long stretch of boardwalk and a bench. On one side of you is a steep hillside covered with beech and maple, and on the other is the Platte River forested in cedar and tamarack. Eventually the trail swings away from the clear, gently flowing river and ascends the ridge it has been skirting and arrives at post No. 9 at Mile 2.7. Turn south (right), and the trail drops into the river valley again.

Within a quarter mile of post No. 9, you climb to a bench along the trail overlooking the river valley. It’s a scenic spot even though trees prevent a clear view of the river itself. The trail follows the ridge above the river and shortly arrives at post No. 10, reached at Mile 3.1. The last leg back to post No. 5 (straight ahead) reenters the woods and passes a second bog.