On the entrance drive to the campground is a parking area for hikers with post No. 15 located across the dirt road from it. The spur to post No. 13 on the main loop begins as a level path through a stand of red pine before descending to post No. 14, marking a junction with the North Country Trail. To the east (right) the NCT winds past several small ponds, one visible from the junction, on its way to Kalkaska. You head west (left) where the trail follows an old logging road around what use to be the northern inlet of Guernsey Lake.

In 0.7 mile you gently descend to post No. 13. Head south (left). The trail now becomes a wide path heading south through the trees, resembling a raised bed of an old logging railroad and within a quarter mile arrives at a bench overlooking Pit Lake, a scenic spot. From the lake, the trail continues in a growth of pine and in a little over a mile from the campground reaches post No. 16, marking a junction with an old fire lane that heads west to Sand Lake No. 4, and at Mile 2 arrives at post No. 17  within view of the yellow trailhead gate just off Guernsey Lake Road.

At post No. 17 the loop swings west (right) and to follow a low ridge. You skirt the dirt road from above, though you rarely see it, then descend sharply to post No. 18 at Mile 2.9. Head north (right) to quickly reach post No. 19 where the trail returns to following an old logging road that reaches Post No. 20 at Mile 3.5. This is where the North Country Trail merges with the Sand Lakes trail system from Muncie Lakes Pathway to the west. Also at this junction is a path that heads northwest (left) to reach a trailhead on Broomhead Road in 0.7 mile.

The main loop swings to the north (right) for post No. 4 and within a half mile arrives at a bench overlooking Sand Lake No. 3, a clear body of water that can be fished for bass and panfish. The trail skirts the lake for a good view of it and then arrives at post No. 4 at Mile 4.2. Continue north (right) at the junction to reach post No. 3 and then post No. 5 in a half mile.  The walk-in campground is a short walk towards the lake just beyond post No 5. It's a shady area with enough space for a half-dozen tents. The lake is oblong shaped, shallow in most places, and hikers are often surprise at how green it is at times.

Post No. 5 marks the junction of the 0.4-mile spur to the trailhead on Sand Lake Road while the main loop heads east into more rolling terrain to each to reach post No. 7 in a half mile and post No. 9 at Mile 5.1. Here the main loop swings to the east (right) for the most scenic stretch of the day.  In the next half mile you skirt a small, unnamed lake where on a still day its surface is a perfect mirror for the shoreline trees. A bench has been conveniently located here to savor such a moment. The trail then skirts the west end of the lake before ascending to post No. 10.

The main loop continues east and weaves its way through the gently rolling terrain, forested in hardwoods and pines. You reach post No. 11 at Mile 6.3 and then follow the crest of a low ridge before emerging at another fire lane, a junction marked by post No. 12. Head south (right) on the fire lane and post No 13 quickly pops up at Mile 6.7. just 0.7 mile from your vehicle at the state forest campground.