K.I. SAWYER A.F.B.

K.I. SAWYER - SOMEPLACE SPECIAL

Page Five

Little Trout Lake

Little Trout Lake was one of my favorite hangouts during summer school break. I spent many days either fishing for rainbow trout or just exploring the surrounding area. On the north side of the lake is the beach. This sandy beach always existed however the playground, picnic, and campground areas were added over the years. Also there is a hiking trail that goes around the lake (my mom and I walked it). The trail wasn?t there in the 1960?s. The west side of the lake was nothing but marsh in the area where Silver Lead Creek ran in and out of the lake. The creek still runs in and out of the lake however a bridged gravel road has been built. I was a Boy Scout in 1969/70 and we camped out a few times on the south side of Little Trout Lake. When I revisited this campground area it appeared that it was abandoned long ago. Please Click Here to see a photo of the former Boy Scout camping area.

Little Trout Lake
Click thumbnails for larger image.

Photo to left: Little Trout Lake, east bank

Sporley Lake Road

West of the housing area Voodoo Ave tee?s into a dirt road known as ?Sporley Lake Road?. Sporley Lake Road winds around and forks off into other seasonal access roads to several small lakes in the area including Wilson Lake, Martin Lake, and Big Trout Lake. Just north on Sporley Lake Road and behind Fortress St. is a small ski hill (see left photo below). This ski hill was in existence during our stay in the 60?s. During our visit this summer I read that West Branch Township plans to reopen the ski hill this season. The photo below right is a public access area for Big Trout Lake also north off of Sporley Lake Road. We also drove south on Sporley Lake Road and turned off on Martin Lake Road. As a youngster I fished at Martin Lake many times. I was a bit disappointed however there was no public access. The path I used to take was now private property so I wasn?t able to get any photos.

PHOTO: The former Sawyer ski hill. Toll rope still in place.
PHOTO: Big Trout Lake public access boat ramp area.