Sand Lakes Quiet Area (Lake 1)

This image was taken from the west end of Sand Lake No. 1 at Sand Lakes Quiet Area near Traverse City. To get here, you'll need to drive. From Traverse City, take US31-N east out of town, and then turn right onto M-72. Travel east for about 5 miles, going straight through both roundabouts, and then turn right onto Broomhead Road. There will be small brown signs indicating Sand Lakes Quiet Area. Stay on Broomhead (mostly gravel) for about 4.5 miles. Broomhead has two big right angle turns, so make sure you follow the signs. There will be a Sands Lakes Quiet Area Parking Lot, but do not park here. Instead, turn left onto Sand Lakes Road. This is a mostly unmaintained road, though most vehicles won't have trouble unless it's snowy. Continue east on Sand Lakes Road for about half a mile until you arrive at the second Sand Lakes Quiet Area parking lot and park your car. Begin the hike down to Sand Lake #1 at the trailhead behind the yellow gate. It's a path wide enough for cars, but only DNR vehicles are allowed. On foot, hike in about half a mile. The North Country Trail joins/crosses the Sand Lakes Trail here at post 5. Continue to the right and then very shortly (a few yards), turn left downhill toward the lake. You will descend past two vault toilets just in from the trail on the left. Walk around this western end of the lake until you have the sunrise positioned similarly in the frame; there will be lots of options.