Near Hemlock Hills
Awesome light on one of the easier ascents on Yellow Trail - Pine Mountain.
Near Hemlock Hills
Good times on the Green Trail - Red Maple Swamp.
Near Hemlock Hills
Steep section of the Red Trail.
Near Hemlock Hills
Hemlock Hills-Pine Mountain map
Near Hemlock Hills
Quick descent heading north on Red Trail.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Hemlock Hills

3.8 (4 Ratings)
Flora and fauna abound on this short hike, giving it a backcountry feel.
2.2
mi
Distance
379
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Fall ColorsLakeRiver/CreekViewsWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
2.16mi
Distance
379ft
Elevation Gain
379ft
Elevation Loss
40%
Max Grade
783ft
High Point
588ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
From the Lake Windwing parking area, head straight east, past the iron gate on Red Trail. Take this doubletrack section to Windwing Connector, a short but very steep singletrack heading north into the woods. At the top of this trail look for obvious Orange blazes, and head straight (left, but not onto Green Trail - Red Maple Swamp) on Orange Access Trail - West. This wide, easy lane will lead you to Yellow Trail - Pine Mountain, take this on your right.Climb an easy grade to the top of the Hemlock Hills ridge on this rocky and wooded singletrack. From here the trail continues east and passes some amazing rock formations and swamps as it runs in conjunction with Blue Trail. Eventually, Yellow stays east as Blue Trail veers away to the north. The trail then descends the ridge and intersects with Blue Connector. Take this on your right.After some easy contouring, Blue Connector will eventually spit you out at a fork with Red Trail - turn right. Follow the Red blazes as the trail bends right, contours over large granite outcrops, and then heads west. From here the trail undulates through more rocks, occasionally showing awesome views of hills to the south as it trends generally uphill. Finally, after some tight switchbacks, Red Trail heads south and plummets towards the creek connecting Rainbow Lake to Lake Windwing. Once the trail turns to the right (west), it becomes doubletrack and winds lazily to the shores of Lake Windwing. Continue past Orange Access Trail - West and Connector until you reach the parking area on North Shore Drive.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Tom Robson