The Towerman’s Watch Pathway trailhead is just off the headquarters\'s parking lot, where you\'ll find several interpretive displays and a sign leading you across Twin Lakes Road and into a woods of hardwoods and pines. A series of old two-tracks, most of them designated horse trails, crisscross the pathway, but the pathway is well-marked at every junction with blue blazes. At Mile 1, the trail begins a long gentle climb that passes a noticeable large red pine and then, within a 0.3 mile, arrives at the Witness Tree.

This large pine was blazed on June 17, 1850, by William Burt, a state surveyor, when he placed a stake here while working on the original land survey of Michigan. The tree was an 8-inch in diameter pine at the time. To the south, Forest Road 81 leads to Sturgeon Valley Road, so the tree also serves as another possible trailhead to the pathway. Horse trails cross in several directions here, but everything is well-marked.

The steady climb continues, and at Mile 1.6, you reach the junction of the Old Fire Tower Loop, which continues east. To the north is the 0.2-mile crossover spur. Old Fire Fower Loop continues climbing, more steeply at times and adds an additional 0.8 to the loop. At Mile 2, you arrive at the location of the fire tower, where the ends of its three galvanized steel anchor legs are still sticking 6 inches above the ground.

From the fire tower location, the pathways descend rapidly for a quarter of a mile before leveling out and reaching the main trail junction at Mile 2.4. The level terrain continues, and within a half mile, you arrive at the posted spur to the beaver pond. The side trail is a short walk to a scenic wetland area with open views of surrounding ridges but lacks both an active beaver or a lodge.

At Mile 3.5, you cross Twin Lakes Road and arrive at the junction with Shingle Mill Pathway. Located here is the P.S. Lovejoy stone monument to the nationally known conservationist who worked to preserve PRC. He was the first to refer to the state forest as the “Big Wild” and the name has survived to this day. Head south (left) on the Shingle Mill Pathway, and in less than a quarter mile, you return to the interpretive area trail at the PRC headquarters.