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From the M-72 trailhead begin by heading east (left) at the display board along a wide trail that follows the gently rolling terrain to post No. 8. Along the way you pass through the perfect rows of a red pine plantation and then break out at your first marsh, crossed via a stretch of boardwalk that keeps the boots dry. From here, the trail makes an ascent to post No. 8, reached at Mile 1.25. Reid Lake is only a quarter mile to the west (right), but head east (left) for the 5.25-mile loop or to reach Little Trout Lake. 

In the beginning the trail to post No. 9 resembles a former railroad bed before swinging south into a rolling terrain of hardwoods. Eventually you breakout at Mossy Bog and tiptoe along a narrow foot path between two open marshes. This is an interesting area in the spring with peepers croaking and wildflowers blooming but buggy in the summer. The trail ascends away from the bog to return to the woods and arrives at post No. 9 just beyond Mile 2.

The trail to post No. 10 heads south (left) as an old two-track and within a quarter of a mile arrives at a backcountry campsite. Heading west (right) to post No. 5 the trail reaches an open beaver pond within a quarter mile and then skirts its west side from above. The pond is almost as big as Reid Lake and features a large lodge in the middle while along the bank are fallen trees with the telltale signs of a beaver's handiwork; gnawed marks and wood chips around stumps.

From the pond, the trail moves into an open field, makes two sharp 90-degree turns that are well posted, then arrives at post No. 5 at Mile 2.5. You can head straight north to reach Reid Lake, just one low ridge away, but to the west (left) is scenic Fanny’s Marsh Loop around two more marshes. The 1.5-mile loop begins by descending to Fanny’s Marsh and skirting the south end of it. You climb over a low ridge, pass post No. 4 at Mile 3 and then arrive at the east side of Big Marsh, which can be more like a small lake during a wet spring.

From the marsh the trail climbs over another low ridge before swinging east and at Mile 4 reaches the northwest corner of Reid Lake at post No. 3. Older maps show a water pump in this area but it has since been pulled out. If you’re not in a hurry to head home there are four campsites on Reid Lake. The more scenic ones are along the south side of the lake and reached by heading south (right) at post No. 3. The pair of sites are shady spots that sit on a bluff overlooking the lake. Head east (left) at post No. 3 to reach two more sites, which also sits above the lake.

There used to be three fishing docks on Reid Lake and at one time the lake was stocked annually with rainbow trout. Other species include panfish, especially bluegill, largemouth bass and some perch. The trout and bass are most often caught by anglers who have hauled in a canoe or belly boat, but the panfish can easily be landed from shore.

From the north shore campsite, the trail continues east to quickly reach post No. 2. Here you can continue to skirt the lake, a walk of almost a mile, or return to the M-72 trailhead by heading north (left). This final leg is a wide path through the woods and, for the most part, a gentle, mile-long descent to the parking lot.