We had been wanting to walk the Cross Island Trail since we first heard about it so, when an easy walk and short drive were desired, we knew this was the walk.
It was decided we'd walk coast-to-coast-to-coast so we parked at the very small lot (maybe room for three cars) near Manitou Beach and started walking from east to west. The first part of the walk crosses SR305 and is easily the least enjoyable part but if you want to walk coast-to-coast it's a requirement.
After crossing SR305 it's mostly walking through the woods of the Grand Forest, a most enjoyable experience. You'll see horses, goats, and birds; walk on gravel roads, dirt paths, beaches, and wooden boardwalks; and eat apples and blackberries (in season).
The trail has few steep parts and is generally very approachable. The highlights were Hilltop (a meadow between Grand Forest East and West), the McRedmond Trail because surprisingly I had never been on it, and the feeling of accomplishment walking coast-to-coast-to-coast across an island.
Total walking time 3h17m, 9.70 miles, and 1314 feet of elevation.
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