Huron Meadows Metropark Hike (Maltby Lake + Beech Alley)

Hike the Huron Meadows Maltby Lake loop (2 miles), then an optional Beech Alley (3 miles) backwoods trail loop ( TOTAL OF ~ 5 miles...IF you do both loops with us. Whew. This hike will start & end at the Sunset Ridge parking lot. Maltby Lk loop #1 is flatter, loop #2 around Beech Alley areas has some moderate hills.

Wear hiking boots! Trails ARE slippery and ICY!
ALERT! We're now requiring ice cleats / YakTrax of some sort for safety...as of Saturday 12-20-25 at 6pm. We need you to bring ice cleats/spikes/traction. (Hiking poles if you prefer those too.)
You can buy ice cleats at most ACE Hardware stores, almost any sporting goods store, most Wal-Marts or Costcos or other hardware strores too. (Some don’t recommend the coil-type grippers as they aren’t as stable on ice or have broken after a season for several of our members. I only have 1 extra pair to loan, but feel free to bring extra ice cleats if you have them, in case others didn't bring them. We will attempt to stay off the ice. Parking lots & roads are mainly dry, but the trails mostly have 1" of slippery, packed ice on them.)
I'll post recent, icy trail pics if I can tonight!

Dogs are welcome, but must be on a 6' (or less) leash.

Metropark entry fee required ($10/day or $40/year).

Please arrive at 9:45 AM for sign in so we can start promptly at 10:00.

Directions:
Click the map attached to this meetup to be guided directly to the Sunset Ridge lot where we are meeting.
Or use these directions:
When you arrive at the Huron Meadows entrance road (on Hammel Rd off Rickett Rd), turn north toward the golf course. You'll see signs on your left for Sunset Ridge and Acorn Ridge parking lots. Look for the pavilion near the Sunset Ridge parking lot and Maltby Lake overlook (with unique stairways down to lake).