Trailblaze Detroit: An Oakland County Odyssey on the Paint Creek Trail and Clinton River Water Trail
- Dan Cooke
- 5 days ago
- 10 min read
Historic trails. Raging rapids. Fresh-pressed donuts. Join us on an Oakland County odyssey exploring the Paint Creek Trail and Clinton River Water Trail in this first installment of Trailblaze Detroit - a new adventure series from Visit Detroit and Expedition Detroit!
"This. This right here. This is what it's all about."
I mumble those words while staring at a rush of whitewater rushing over an unseen ledge in the Clinton River, just south of Downtown Rochester, Michigan. I feel a sensation well up inside of me, one that I've felt countless times before in my life. Our resident adventure athletes know the one - an unforgettable fusion of excitement and nervousness as you're standing at the very edge of your comfort zone.
You feel it at the starting line of your first marathon. Or before dropping in to your first black diamond ski run. Or as you take your first step into a multi-day backpacking expedition. A dopamine rush that adrenaline junkies chase all over the world, scouring the planet (and often blowing the budget) on the hunt for the next adventure.
I'm not at all ashamed to admit that the whitewater ripping in front of my kayak intimidated me for a second. In fact, I relished it. Why? Because this sensation further proved the mantra that we at Expedition Detroit have preached for several years:
The Detroit region is a world-class outdoor destination worth exploring, celebrating, and protecting.
That belief is at the core of Trailblaze Detroit, a new adventure series that we're ecstatic to launch alongside our partner Visit Detroit. Each episode of the series will showcase heart-pounding outdoor experiences during each season of the Detroit region, highlighting the history, destinations, and insider tips along the way.
Episode 1 had brought me, for the first time, face-to-face with the rapids of the Clinton River. In fact, it was a day full of "firsts" for both myself, the crew, and Detroit's recreational ecosystem as a whole.
Let's drop into this "Trail of Firsts" - an Oakland County Odyssey - now.
Biking the Paint Creek Trail: Michigan's Most Celebrated "Rail-to-Trail"
Location: Oakland County (Village of Lake Orion to Rochester, MI)
Length: 8.9 miles
Recommended Activities: Biking, Hiking, Running, Cross-Country Skiing, Birding, Fishing, and Horseback Riding (north of Dutton Road only)
Why You Should Visit: Discover firsthand why the Paint Creek Trail is celebrated as one of Michigan's elite "Pure Michigan Trails," including its stunning natural areas, historic significance, and accessible amenities.
The adventure began in the Village of Lake Orion, the namesake of one of the Detroit region's few "Pure Michigan Trail Towns": Orion Township. Beyond the logistical rationale for starting our bike along the Paint Creek Trail at its northern terminus in Lake Orion, I also couldn't fumble an opportunity to highlight the recreational significance of the Detroit region's first official "Trail Town."
Lake Orion is truly the "Crossroads of Oakland County." The stunning village is home to not only the Paint Creek Trail, but also the 36.5 mile Polly Ann Trail, several miles of the Iron Belle Trail, and one of our region's preeminent adventure parks, Bald Mountain State Recreation Area. For aquatic enthusiasts, the waves of Lake Orion proper and flowing Paint Creek are also found within its confines.
Put differently, if you're looking for a gateway to adventure near the city, do yourself a favor and direct your GPS for Lake Orion.
Meet the Paint Creek Trail
As my talented videographer Jordan and I prepped our gravel bikes for the Paint Creek Trail, we realized that this was both of our first times ever experiencing the trail. "Another first for the day," I quipped as we started peddling towards the trailhead.
"What do you mean by that," came the expected response.
With the camera rolling, my answer provided the following highlight reel of the Paint Creek Trail's historic accolades:
The trail opened in 1983 as Michigan's first non-motorized "Rail-to-Trail," built on top of the bed of the abandoned Penn Central Railroad line.
In 1999, the White House designated the Paint Creek Trail as the physical representative of "Michigan's Millennium Legacy Trail" due to its service as "an excellent physical and operational example for other trails."
The federal government further decorated the Paint Creek Trail in 2006, with the U.S. Department of the Interior declaring the trail as the first "National Recreation Trail" in Michigan.
Last but certainly not least, the State of Michigan and the Pure Michigan® campaign designated the Paint Creek Trail as the Detroit region's first "Pure Michigan Trail" in 2023.
These designations made the Paint Creek Trail an easy first destination for Episode 1 of Trailblaze Detroit. In full transparency, however, we had an entirely separate rationale for doing so. One that predates the trail's foundation, and even the railroad's operations.
The Paint Creek Trail is universally-acclaimed for being a top recreational destination for experiencing the Detroit region's stunning array of fall colors. As we peddled along its forested miles, we paused gratuitously to take in the vibrant foliage that blanketed both sides of the trail. Every bridge crossing over the storybook Paint Creek provided postcard-ready images of an autumnal paradise.
Another fantastic aspect of recreating on the Paint Creek Trail is that it's relatively effortless - that is, from a navigational perspective. Other than a construction-related detour through Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve (spoiler alert: no past or present dinosaurs on site), the trail provides a straight and relatively flat route through the heartland of Oakland County. You'll easily ride past historic cider mills and restored prairies near Goodison, pollinator gardens, and municipal parks.
Our ride along the Paint Creek Trail ended seamlessly with one final crossing over Paint Creek and continuing through downtown Rochester on the Rochester River Walk trail. Another "first trail" for both Jordan and I, and we both marveled at its scenic route alongside the Rochester Hills Public Library and past the padlocks of the Deb McMillan Bridge.
Finally, we had reached the terminus of our ride: the Clinton River Trail. Altogether we had biked over 11.5 miles from the trailhead of the Paint Creek Trail to the banks of the Clinton River. A true expedition that rewarded us with a panorama view of Oakland County's gorgeous landscapes.
The adventure was only halfway complete, however; it was now time to swap the gravel bike for the kayak.
Paddling the Clinton River Water Trail: A Kayaker's Paradise of Rapids and Colors
Location: Rochester Hills, Michigan (Downtown Rochester to Yates Cider Mill)
Length: 3.2 miles
Recommended Activities: Kayaking (experienced kayakers only)
Why You Should Visit: Experience the rush of paddling one of the Detroit region's most technical - and enjoyable - rivers under peak fall colors.
I caught my first glimpse of the Clinton River while biking past the thick brush on its northern river bank. All I saw was white water, rushing over rocks and other unseen obstacles. And when I say "rush," I mean rapids on par with some rivers that I had paddled out west.
"Well that's different," I thought as I finished the ride towards my truck, where my trusty Oru Kayak waited impatiently for assembly. The Oru and I had paddled over most of the Detroit region's celebrated waterways, especially the Detroit River, Huron River, Rouge River, Cass Lake, and countless other lakes, creeks, and streams that make our region a paddler's paradise. The Oru had even set out on Lake Huron in daunting early spring conditions.
Throughout all of my Detroit region maritime expeditions, however, this ~5K outing would provide a full itinerary of "firsts."
First time paddling the Clinton River. First time navigating "advanced" kayaking terrain in the Detroit region. And the first time handling a plethora of logistical challenges while en route.
Meet the Clinton River Water Trail
Winding through the northeastern heart of the Detroit region, the Clinton River Water Trail represents a bucket list-worthy destination for paddling, fishing, and boating adventures. Flowing for approximately 81.5 miles, the Clinton River navigates through communities, parks, forests, and wetlands, offering paddlers a diverse range of landscapes to explore. From practically-still waters to Class II-III rapids, the Clinton River provides an adventure for all skill levels, confirming the water trail as a paddling paradise for beginners and seasoned kayakers alike.
Unlike the Paint Creek Trail and Clinton River Trail, the Clinton River Water Trail represents one of only 8 official Michigan Water Trails that exist in the Detroit region. Generally speaking, Michigan's Water Trail are state-designated routes along lakes, rivers, canals, or bays for small boats like kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, single sailboats, or rowboats. Our regional water trails are typically near significant historical, environmental, or cultural points of interest - include nearby amenities such as restaurants, hotels, and campgrounds.
We had planned our route along the Clinton River Water Trail with a particular "nearby amenity" in mind: Yates Cider Mill, Michigan's first water-powered mill and quintessential fall destination.
As noted above, not all segments of the Clinton River Water Trail are created equal. The majority of the Clinton River provides suitable conditions for paddlers of all experience levels. However, the heart of the river - from approximately Mile 44 near Pontiac to Mile 25.4 in Utica - consists of fast-moving, intermediate-advanced conditions described proactively as "DANGEROUS/CHALLENGING AND ARE NOT FOR BEGINNERS."
If not already abundantly clear, our direct route to donuts was located in the advanced segment. Actually, in the dead center of the advanced section.
The technical requirements of this segment of the Clinton River Water Trail became evident roughly 2 seconds after dropping into the river. The Diversion Street launch hospitably plunges you directly into the first of countless rapids, which continue to make their presence known consistently through this segment. For a thrill-seeker like myself, I was in heaven - fully immersed in what is, without a doubt, one of the greatest and most challenging outdoor adventures that you can find in the Detroit region.
Paddling this section of the Clinton River isn't solely an adrenaline-pumping rush. Typically, after navigating successive rapids, the river would acquiesce to a stunningly calm and scenic length of natural beauty. These brief segments not only recharged my nerves, but provided unmatched vistas of the brilliant foliage and wildlife that decorated the narrow riverbanks. The stunning scenery relaxes and wisps your thoughts away for those blissful moments...until the next gauntlet of rapids demands your undivided attention.
My expedition on the Clinton River was not without incident. The tight, winding nature of the water trail meant that several natural obstacles, like logs, rocks, and other woody debris, provided consistent navigational challenges. As Trailblaze Detroit viewers will enjoy, at one such point my kayak got pinned against a fallen log, which tilted the open-bodied Oru enough for the river to pour in - and promptly flip the kayak.
That segment of the Clinton River through Bloomer Park was relatively shallow, so I immediately stood up, grabbed the kayak, and waded carefully to the riverbank. Fortunately, the only casualty of the incident was my soaked pants. Thanks to my water-proof jacket, water-resistant personal flotation device (with water-proof compartments), and proper footwear, I was back on the river in a matter of minutes with a dry torso (key for maintaining core temperature), functioning equipment, and a slightly bruised ego.
Safety should always be your top priority before launching any paddling adventure, but especially on the advanced segments of the Clinton River Water Trail. Here are the top safety tips for navigating the water trail:
Be aware of the water temperature, weather conditions, and remaining daylight.
Always paddle with the proper equipment.
Never paddling alone and always share your itinerary and GPS location with a friend.
Know how to swim.
Bring a spare change of clothes in a dry bag.
Wear river footwear and always wear a personal flotation device.
Label all of your gear and your canoe/kayak with your name.
When I finally reached the end of the route, my muscles yearned for the replenishment of Michigan's most renowned donuts and cider. The aftermath of 11.5 miles of biking, immediately followed by 3.2 miles of technical kayaking, tend to have that effect. With my appetite for adventure satisfied, I loaded up the kayak and crossed Dequindre Road at the final destination for this odyssey: Yates Cider Mill.
Yates Cider Mill: The Delicious Finale of a World-Class Adventure
Location: 950 E Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, Michigan
Operating Hours: 8AM - 6PM (M- F), 10AM - 5PM (Weekend)
Why You Should Visit: Enjoy the Delicacies of Michigan's First Cider Mill alongside the Clinton River.
While the United States found itself engulfed in the Civil War, an entrepreneurial couple made a purchase on the edge of a newly settled frontier.
After closing the acquisition in 1863, William and Caroline Yates dreamed of converting their pristine 80 acres alongside the Clinton River into a booming saw mill. Shortly thereafter, the couple also realized that their powerful mill could be used to grind various grains. Then, in 1874, a transformative breakthrough occurred when the Yates family started pressing apples.
By 1894, the Yates family mill along the banks of the Clinton River had a sole function: producing Michigan's favorite autumnal beverage, cider. One hundred and sixty-two years later, Yates Cider Mill is still producing not only cider, but generational memories throughout Metro Detroit.
No Michigan fall is complete without at least one visit to a cider mill, and we can thank Yates for starting - and perfecting - that tradition. While the cider mill is a year-round family destination, its primetime undoubtedly starts when the apples ripen and the leaves start changing colors. Fresh cider, warm donuts, and bakery treats flow from its production line as fast as the Clinton, and Yates' famous "Apple Tent" provides visitors with either pre-bagged apples or the opportunity to bag their own.
You guessed it - this trip to Yates Cider Mill was also a first for me, and it was absolutely worth the mileage. Fresh donuts and a cup of warm cider pair perfectly with a side of adventure, especially when enjoying them along the banks of the Clinton River.
A final sip of cider while watching the sun set beyond the river closed out not only this first installment of Trailblaze Detroit, but also an idyllic fall day exploring our regional outdoors. As I walked back to my truck, I couldn't help but feel gratitude for the opportunity of a lifetime to call Metro Detroit home. The immensity of culture, history, and recreational opportunities found here - most of which are hiding in plain sight, waiting to be rediscovered - are simply unmatched.
Today's saga further bolstered that belief - and we expect even more from Episode 2.
Trailblaze Detroit is a multimedia series co-produced by Visit Detroit and Expedition Detroit. The core purpose of the series is to promote outdoor adventure tourism and discovery throughout Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb Counties, as well as highlight the Detroit region's natural spaces, seasonal activities, hidden outdoor gems, and the individuals that support them.
Are you interested in using adventure marketing to promote your organization or business? Awesome - we're here to help! Contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com or 734.821.6416 to learn more. (734) 821-6416