The first loop is the easiest and the only one rated for beginner skiers. From the trailhead to post No. 3 and then to No. 12 before returning is 2-mile run through hardwood forests and past open meadows. At post No. 3 the perimeter loop continues north (left), crossing Muncie Lake Road into more rolling terrain. You encounter three downhill runs with the final that bottoming out at post No. 4 at Mile 1.6 , marking the junction with the second crossover spur. Head left to immediately cross a gas line corridor followed by another climb and long downhill to post No. 5. Head left again to pass underneath a power line corridor and enjoy a pair of downhills before reaching the Muncie Lakes at Mile 2.4.

The scenic and undeveloped lake before you is the largest of five often referred to as Muncie Lakes. The trail skirts the shoreline and then climbs to post No. 6 where a skier’s bench has been built, making it an excellent hot chocolate break in the winter or an energy bar stop in the summer. Beyond the post is a long downhill that bottoms out at the second Muncie Lake before crossing back under the power line.

You skirt the third lake before a long climb takes you back into the woods on a scenic stretch to post No. 7, reached at Mile 3.1 and marking the short crossover to post No. 5. It's an easy half-mile through the woods to post No. 8, the junction of the final crossover spur, the one that allows you to bypass the black diamond loop to the Boardman River.

The 1.3-mile segment between Posts No. 8 and No. 9 is the gem of the system. The trail crosses Muncie Lakes Road again and a snowmobile trail and then plunges down into a deep little valley. At the bottom is the gas line corridor where the North Country Trail departs the pathway and heads north for the Sand Lakes Quiet Area. The perimeter loop continues east, crossing the snowmobile trail again and then giving way to a wicked downhill.  A ridgeline follows, one so narrow you can peer into the woods on both sides of you, and then a final downhill leads you to the Boardman River. On the banks of the river are post No. 9, reached at Mile 4.9, and a bench where you can catch your breath after all that exhilaration.

The return begins with a boardwalk around a wetland and then a half mile climb out of the Boardman River Valley.  A downhill follows in an area that can be confusing as you will be crossing gas line corridors, other trails and Muncie Lake Road before arriving at post No. 10 at Mile 6. Head south (left) and in the next mile the trail will cross gas and power line corridors, Muncie Lake Road again, Snowmobile Trail No. 5 twice and lord knows what else. Keep an eye out for the blue blazes that mark the pathway from on this stretch and all the way back to post No. 2.

After crossing the snowmobile trail a second time, you skirt an interesting wetland full of standing dead trees, no doubt the work of a beaver, then make a long climb to cross the Shore-to-Shore Trail and arrive at post No. 11 at Mile 7. Nearby is a bench to enjoy view of the river valley below. The pathway to post No. 12 remains in a rolling wooded area where it is intermingled with the Shore-to-Shore Trail, crossing it five times. You reach post No. 12, at Mile 8, marking the first crossover spur, and a side trail to Ranch Rudolf. You cross the horse trail two more times before reaching post No. 2, where you backtrack the first segment of the day to the trailhead.