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Planning a trip to Detroit? Don't forget to pack your, well, pack! Join us on an epic backpacking adventure through the heart of Metro Detroit in this third installment of Trailblaze Detroit - a new adventure series from Visit Detroit and Expedition Detroit! "Okay. Here we go." Sunlight gently breaks through the thick canopy above as you take your first steps into the dense forest shrouding the Chief Pontiac Trail. Spring's fresh growth covers the forest floor, hiding coveted mushrooms and other wonders of the surrounding woods. A bald eagle flies overhead, welcoming you to a domain rarely visited by Metro Detroit's locals and guests alike. Now in its 68th year, this well-worn backpacking trail through the heart of Metro Detroit has experienced firsthand every era of our region's recreational ark. From the automotive picnicking heyday of the 1950s and 60s to the lull of the turn of the millennium and post-Covid resurgence, the Chief Pontiac Trail has hosted scouting groups and intrepid local explorers alike for generations. While certain segments of the Chief Pontiac Trail have remained as popular as ever, vast sections of the traditional 16.5 mile thru-hiking route have depreciated from neglect - or been abandoned altogether. For the Trailblaze Detroit Team - an adventure-travel collaboration between Expedition Detroit and Visit Detroit - the trail's current state provides an unmatched opportunity to lean into our namesake and blaze a new route of the Chief Pontiac Trail. Still linking the traditional route's three parks, but introducing a "Pure Michigan Trail Town" and its world-class amenities to the trail. Okay, Trailblaze readers - let's go backpacking through Metro Detroit along a reimagined Chief Pontiac Trail! Check out Episode 3 of "Trailblaze Detroit"! The official trailhead marker of the Chief Pontiac Trail in Highland State Recreation Area Fresh Take on a Classic Route: Reimagining the Chief Pontiac Trail for the Modern Backpacker Total Miles: 16.9 miles Elevation Gain: 964 feet Initial Trailhead: Highland State Recreation Area Camping Location: Proud Lake State Recreation Area Terminus Trailhead: Kensington Metropark Our "Trailblaze Detroit reroute" of the Chief Pontiac Trail begins just as it always has: in the heart of Highland State Recreation Area in White Lake, Michigan. As you commute to the trailhead, you may find yourself surprised at the surplus of modern, suburban amenities that surround you along M-59. For fans of the Trailblaze series, you'll even spot the familiar sight of Alpine Valley Ski Area directly across the highway from the state park entrance. You'll be equally surprised by how quickly those sights and sounds dissipate as you enter the park and venture towards the trailhead. Highland State Recreation is home to 6,000 acres of Metro Detroit's wildest and most accessible terrain. Even though major urban centers like Pontiac are within cycling distance, Highland's rolling terrain and wildlife-dense wetlands create the delightful illusion that you have crossed into a wilderness area never before touched by civilization. Here are the "Highlights of Highland," your first destination along the Chief Pontiac Trail: Popular Activities: Mountain Biking, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Fishing, and Paddling Trails: 45 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails Namesake: Highland is named after the several glacial moraines that form the park's "highlands," with the tallest being Mt. Kanzer (1,060 feet Hidden Gem: Haven Hill Natural Area, the former estate of Edsel Ford and a National Natural Landmark. Approach towards Highland's "Mt. Omich," the highest point of the Chief Pontiac Trail While in Highland Recreation Area, the first 4 miles of the Chief Pontiac Trail will follow the traditional trail's route. Beginning on the outskirts of the historic Haven Hill Natural Area, the Highland section crosses under Duck Lake Road through the classic "Tunnel Trail" and directly next to the famous Highland Mountain Biking Trailhead sign (recently renovated for the 30th anniversary of the mountain biking trail system). You will also reach the highest elevation of the entire Chief Pontiac Trail while hiking up and over Mt. Omich (1,133 feet). The Trailblaze reroute begins directly east of Mt. Kanzer, the tallest of all of Highland's towering moraines (1,160 feet). You will deviate away from Highland's "West Loop" to the Mount Kanzer/Milford Connector Trail, a recent trail addition intended to divert pedestrian and cyclist traffic away from narrow country roads. This trail deviation further serves to lead backpackers to Michigan's newest "Pure Michigan Trail Town": the Village of Milford, Michigan. Historic Downtown Milford Trail Town Interlude: Refueling Stop in Milford, Michigan If you have yet to experience the blessing and bounty of a "trail town," then stopping into the Village of Milford after several miles on the Chief Pontiac Trail will provide a soul-lifting experience. According to Pure Michigan, Milford earned the exceedingly rare designation of a "Pure Michigan Trail Town" due to several recreational factors, including its "wide variety of trail options including mountain bike trails, hiking and multi-use trails, equestrian trails, and water trails." First time visitors to "Trail Town Milford," whether driving in or backpacking through, should be sure to check out the following highlights: Exploring historic Downtown Milford, including a mandatory stroll up and down Main Street. Relaxing alongside the Huron River at recently-renovated Central Park. Restocking trail supplies at Blue Birch Outfitters of Milford. Grabbing a burger and award-winning beer at River's Edge Brewing Company. Perusing the Farmer's Market and enjoying "Concerts in the Park" on Thursdays in the summer. Enjoying a festival, such as the "Milford Bike Fest & Trail Challenge" each June and renown "Milford Memories" each August. For this Trailblaze reroute of the Chief Pontiac Trail, we couldn't imagine fumbling the opportunity to direct thru hikers into Downtown Milford. From its live music and festivals to juicy burgers and riverside views, Milford absolutely deserves its place as a featured destination along the trail. So, enjoy this short break from the trail action to enjoy the modern amenities of a historic, celebrated Trail Town. Because Proud Lake awaits. Stunning Huron River from Proud Lake's "Pines Campground" Riverside Rest: Camping at Proud Lake State Recreation Area While the Chief Pontiac Trail has changed dramatically since its inauguration in 1958, one constant aspect of the trail remains camping at Proud Lake State Recreation Area. While the traditional route leads backpackers along several miles of dangerous "road hiking," our reroute conveniently - and most importantly, safely - accesses Proud Lake just outside of the quietest streets of Downtown Milford. There are two camping options for backpackers at Proud Lake Recreation Area, depending on your affiliation: For youth organizational groups, the Lower and Upper Pines Campgrounds are available for special reservation with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. For all other backpacking affiliations, Proud Lake's main Modern Campground is available for online reservation (also available for recreational vehicle reservation or conventional camping getaways). Camping at Proud Lake State Recreation Area While you may be tempted to just pitch your tent and crawl into your sleeping bag after a long day of hiking, we strongly encourage you to utilize the overnight at Proud Lake to explore more of its 3,000 acres. Here are Proud Lake's "can't miss" recreational gems, which absolutely require a return visit: Kayaking the park's segments of the Huron River National Water Trail Mountain biking through Proud Lake's new MTB loops Fishing around Moss Lake Dam Hiking the one mile loop around the Proud Lake Marsh Horseback riding along the park's extensive trail system Regardless of any "add-on adventures" that you may tack on to a full first day on the Chief Pontiac Trail, we guarantee that you'll nod off to sleep in your tent with two main thoughts circulating in your head: First, an unbridled sense of accomplishment from a full day of adventure. Second - and especially as nature's lullaby fills your tent - a complete disbelief that you're a mere 40 minute drive away from the bustle of Downtown Detroit. Wildflowers along the Chief Pontiac Trail in Kensington Metropark The Grand Finale: Following Chief Pontiac's Steps to Kensington Metropark For nearly 70 years, Boy Scouts that successfully complete the Chief Pontiac Trail have received special medals containing the following honorary inscription: "WALKED IN CHIEF PONTIAC'S STEPS." Will you receive the iconic medal for successfully backpacking the Chief Pontiac Trail? Well, unless you're an active Boy Scout, probably not. But as you rise from your tent on the second day of your adventure through Metro Detroit, you will absolutely be walking in Chief Pontiac's steps as you traverse the final, storied miles of the trail. The same route that generations of Detroit region backpackers have followed across Proud Lake's formidable marshlands, over its challenging moraines, and into the rolling fields of Kensington Metropark. Chief Pontiac Trail markers deep within Proud Lake's most remote sections If you embarked upon the Chief Pontiac Trail in search of a true "wilderness escape," then congratulations - you've arrived at your destination. After crossing Wixom Road, all signs of civilization are quickly engulfed within Proud Lake's dense growth and towering pines. Then, just over a mile into the day's trek, you're faced with the true crux of the trail: crossing the seemingly-impenetrable Norton Creek marshlands. But wait, there's more. Once through the marshlands, the trail rewards your indomitable spirit with the sharpest, most prolonged climb of the trail. Mountain bikers zip past you as you complete this climb, surprised at the sight of a non-biker venturing this far into the woods. This is easily the most difficult section of the trail from both a physical and mental perspective. Take your time, follow your map, and enjoy the challenge of a legitimate backcountry experience found in the heart of Metro Detroit. And then, right when you start to wonder if the Chief Pontiac Trail might just push you beyond your limit, you finally see it: a long decline towards Old Plank Road, the official boundary between Proud Lake State Recreation Area and Kensington Metropark. You've made it to your third, and final, park of the trail. Chief Pontiac Trail marker within Kensington Metropark Kensington Metropark is a Detroit region outdoor destination that hardly requires an introduction. With over 4,500 acres of protected recreational prowess, the Metropark receives nearly 3 million visitors each year that enjoy the following amenities: Hiking, biking, and equestrian trails weaving through over 700 acres of forests, fields, fens, and swamps Boating, paddling, and fishing along the Huron River and massive Kent Lake Tee times at its 18 hole golf course Family-friendly exhibits and events at its Nature Center and Farm Center Playgrounds and beaches Ultimate summer fun at "Splash ‘n’ Blast" water park With its abundance of amenities - and impressive visitation figures - readers of this article might be surprised to have only just learned that the Chief Pontiac Trail crosses through the beloved metropark. If you fall into that camp, then know that you're far from being alone. In fact, that sentiment is representative of one of the best aspects of the Chief Pontiac Trail experience: leading backpackers through the least-visited segments of an extremely popular metropark. As you complete the Chief Pontiac Trail, you'll enjoy stunning natural vistas that remain hidden from the majority of visitors to Kensington. From rolling grasslands to stunning explosions of wildflowers and dramatic ridge lines, the dramatic approach to the Huron River provides a gorgeous finale to your long morning on the trail. The upper Huron River flowing through Kensington Metropark A final descent to Kensington's "Group Campground" illuminates the finish line of the Chief Pontiac trail: the Group Camp Road Bridge over the Huron River. In true Detroit fashion, there's no glitzy sign or over-hyped fanfare waiting for you at the end of the trail. Instead, nearly 20 miles of backpacking through the heart of Metro Detroit provides you with the following rewards: A lifetime of memories gathered in two days Unmatched sense of accomplishment and adventure Lasting awe and affinity towards the beauty of Metro Detroit's outdoors Shattered expectations regarding "Pure Michigan" trail experiences Stunning views of the shining Huron River Congratulations on walking in Chief Pontiac's steps, Detroit. We can't wait to see you at another trailhead soon. 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

Ready to put your body and mind through the ultimate endurance test - all while exploring the wildest and most beautiful terrain that Metro Detroit has to offer? If you're already stoked, then check out our newest #ExpeditionPartner feature on southeast Michigan's premiere ultra race: the Huron 100 ultra marathon near Detroit! June 8th, 2025. Brighton State Recreation Area. Sometime long after midnight. Just a few volunteers remain at Maple Shelter, located a mile marker 55.1. The standalone structure had been my home for close to 12 hours now, with the "Expedition Detroit" flag still proudly waving above a smorgasbord of race-provided snacks. The woods are calm at this stage of the race - a far cry from the trickle of world-class runners that we'd hosted prior, followed by the inundation of the main pack later in the evening. Now, with our JBL speaker humming out Avicii on its last bar of battery, our eyes remain fixated on the darkness just beyond our neon-lit structure. Fireflies provide the only contrast to the seemingly-endless darkness that only our region's most pristine Michigan State Parks can provide. The eye catches a flicker of something brighter. A light moving too slowly for a car, too bobbly for a bike. No one says a word for a second, then somebody in the shelter finally overcomes the fear of a false alarm. "RUNNER COMING IN!" The sleepy shelter erupts into a well-oiled hospitality machine. One volunteer squints their eyes trying to record numbers on the bib. Another prepares cups of water and tailwind. A third gets the massage gun ready. All of us our cheering loudly, making sure this runner knows that he is in the process of accomplishing a truly remarkable feat. "Man," he says as he catches his breath and downs some freshly-cut watermelon. "I've run ultra races all over the country. California, Vermont, Florida...I didn't expect southeast Michigan to feel like this." I smile before responding. "Yeah," I respond while extending a fist bump, "we've heard that a few times tonight." This runner's comment encapsulated two key aspects of the route that the Huron 100 - the Detroit region's premiere ultra marathon - follows: Southeast Michigan's outdoor destinations are stunningly beatiful, diverse, and are guarnateed to surpass any first time visitor's expectations; and DO NOT, for the love of God, underestimate the challenges of the Detroit region's glacially-carved terrain. Team Expedition Detroit is proud to showcase the world-class adventure opportunities found only here in southeast Michigan. Those select bucket list-worthy experiences that solidify Metro Detroit as an idyllic location to live, work, and explore. Covering everything from multi-day canoe camping expeditions to 100-mile mountain biking challenges and a top-rate international marathon, adventure truly starts here in our backyard. Of all of those experiences though, if you're truly looking to experience the full spectrum of the Detroit region's outdoors in one odysessy of adventure, you should register for the Huron 100. Scratch that, you must register for the Huron 100. Our region's preeminent showcase of endurance, athleticism, camaderie, and incomparable trails. Plus, if you're really lucky, you'll get an ice-cold cup of tail wind from yours truly with Avicii blasting in the background. Let's dive more into what makes the Huron 100 the Detroit region's showcase ultra marathon now. MEET THE HURON 100 If you look at a satellite image of the Detroit region, you'll notice a dark green, diagonal line across the western edge of our region. Technically known as the "Jackson Interlobate Range," that glacially-formed, ecologically-diverse, and geologically-challenging terrain forms the spine of Metro Detroit's outdoor adventure ecosystem. Most of our Michigan State Parks, mountain biking trails, ski hills, and paddling routes are located within this unique and interconnected stretch of moraines. Four years ago, when I was first building the ecosystem of what became Expedition Detroit, I spent countless hours staring at that diagonal line. As I identified and mapped out the recreational opportunities found within it, I dreamed of a single, interconnected route that traced the entirety of it. Three years later, I discovered that another Dan - the Huron 100's Founder Dan Hughes - had a similar vision. But that Dan not only turned such a dream into a reality, but built a remarkable and community-powered dream around it. Huron 100 Founder Dan Hughes - the ultra marathoner's first finisher In 2022, Hughes completed the inaugural journey along the route that would evolve into the Huron 100 with the support of his family and a few close friends. In 2023, twenty bold Huron 100 "pioneers" carried that spirit forward, setting the foundation for everything that followed. The first & second official races in 2024 and 2025 helped turn this once-quiet idea into a truly iconic - and uniquely Detroit region - experience. The 2026 rendition will mark the third (but really fifth) chapter of the saga of Michigan’s most spirited point-to-point trail ultra marathon race. EXPERIENCE THE HURON 100: METRO DETROIT'S WILDEST ROUTE The Huron 100 consists of two ultra marathon events along its legendary route: a "sprint" 50 Mile race (yes, we're using a very liberal definition of "sprint") and the namesake 100 Mile race. Both events start at Waterloo State Recreation Area and comprise of point-to-point races, although the full 100 finishes at Proud Lake State Recreation. Here's a quick breakdown of each event: ULTRA MARATHON EVENT 50 MILE 100 MILE Start Information June 6th, 7AM at Waterloo State Recreation Area June 6th, 9AM at Waterloo State Recreation Area Elevation Gain (cumulative) 4,400 ft. 8,200 ft. Parks Crossed 4 9 Allotted Finish Time 15 hours 32 hours Percentage Trail 93% 82% Finish Information Country Elementary Proud Lake State Recreation Area Registration Fee (CLICK HERE for discount information) $225 ($243.12 with Ultrasignup fee) Save an extra $33.75 with Expedition+! $375 ($402.87 with Ultrasignup fee) Save an extra $56.75 with Expedition+! For more information on the specifics of the Huron 100, check out their FAQs page. HURON 100 COURSE BREAKDOWN Curious what 100 miles through Metro Detroit's remaining wilderness feels like? Here's a segment-by-segment breakdown of what terrain you should expect while navigating the preeminent ultra marathon near Detroit: PHASE ONE: WATERLOO-PINCKNEY TRAIL Miles 1 - 35 The Huron 100 ultra marathon kicks off right where it should: following the Detroit's region's showcase backpacking trail, the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Runners follow the roller coaster of sandy hills along the trail and meadow until the trail’s terminus near Silver Lake in Pinckney State Recreation Area. Here, runners continue their Huron 100 journey by traveling north along the east side of a local classic: the Potawatomi ("Poto") Trail. Poto, known for its rolling hills and stunning single track, offers runners plenty of boardwalks and bridge crossings, over waterways and through marshes. The course encompasses roughly half of this iconic trail, following it up steep inclines and through wetlands. BACKPACK POTO WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT PHASE TWO: LAKELAND TRAIL Miles 36 - 50 At the top of Poto, runners leave the marked trail behind and follow dirt roads until they reach the northern section of Pinckney State Recreation Area on Kelly Road. Here, runners continue to climb hills through sandy terrain before leaving the park and continuing to the Mike Levine Lakelands Trail. The Lakelands Trail is a paved multiple-use trail that takes runners eastward across Livingston County through pastures, picturesque wetlands, and residential woodlands. It offers a welcome reprieve from the relentless hills and technical footing of single track. PHASE THREE: BRIGHTON STATE RECREATION AREA Miles 51 - 66 From the Lakeland Trail runners head up Chambers Road. This is the first opportunity to pick up pacers - surely a welcomed highlight. Chambers Road is a gently rolling dirt road that eventually connects to the west side of Brighton State Recreation Area. Brighton State Recreation Area is home to miles of trails traversing thick hedgerows, deciduous woods and grassy marshes. Trail lovers are happy to get back onto mostly single track for the next 16 miles. Taking a challenging turn, the course continues onto the infamous Torn Shirt Trail. Known for its steep climbs and rocky descents, the course winds its way through the flowing and often dizzying single track. PHASE FOUR: HURON MEADOWS METROPARK Miles 67 - 75 It's time to embrace the dark, runners! By this point in the race, the sun has set, the headlamps are lit, and your Tour de Huron continues into the night. Runners depart Brighton Rec and head towards Huron Meadows Metropark by way of Hammel Road. Huron Meadows Metropark is a hidden local gem whose nature trails include both single track and wider trails where racers can run side-by-side with their pacers. Leaving Huron Meadows, racers cross through Legacy Sports Center and under Highway 23, catching a bike trail up to Island Lake State Recreation Area. Although the terrain is less idyllic, the miles are brief, and the smooth path is a welcome change. PHASE FIVE: ISLAND LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA Miles 76 - 84 With less than a marathon remaining, runners enter Island Lake State Recreation Area (ILSRA) on the Blue Trail. The Blue Trail is an easy trail rolling through miles of peaceful woodland. Racers enjoy getting back onto some gentle single track. After the Spring Mill Pond aid station at Mile 82, runners make their way to the ILSRA trail head where they pick up the Yellow Trail. The Yellow Trail travels through pine and deciduous forest along the Huron River and eventually leads runners to the Hiking trail. On the hiking trail, runners meander through open woods and meadows. They pass under Highway I-96, leaving ILSRA and entering into Kensington Metropark. EXPLORE THE YELLOW TRAIL WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT PHASE SIX: KENSINGTON METROPARK Miles 85 - 92 Kensington Metropark is well known for its paved multi-use path that travels around Kent Lake. As the sun rises, racers are treated to some gorgeous views of the lake catching the early morning light before veering off onto the lesser traveled horse trails. The Kensington horse trails are rustic and footing is challenging. With wooded and hilly terrain, the trail steadily heads to the northern end of the park where folks rarely go on foot. Proud Lake's Finish Line: The end of the journey of a lifetime. PHASE SEVEN: PROUD LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA Miles 93 - 100 Congrats: you've reached the FINAL LAP of your Metro Detroit odyssey! At this point, runners leave Kensington Metropark and cross over South Milford Road to follow the Chief Pontiac Trail along the the Kensington-Proud Lake Connector Trail. The dense hedgerow and sometimes grassy paths certainly see much suffering as the runners enter the final miles. These trails dutifully shepherd runners into Proud Lake State Recreation Area. Smelling the pine trees, and perhaps the finish line, runners open up over these relatively flat, sometimes wide, but absolutely beautiful trails. START THE ADVENTURE: RUNNING (OR VOLUNTEERING AT) THE HURON 100 I have a confession to make. As I watched that experienced ultra marathoner leave my aid station at Brighton Rec - jogging off into the dead of night - I experienced massive "FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out). This dude was in the midst of the adventure of a lifetime, trekking 100 miles across the expeditious heart of Metro Detroit, leaving my companions and I behind. You don't need to relive my emotions from that moment. If you've ever dreamed of completing a 50 or 100 mile saga of a race, and especially if you've been training for such a feat, then the Huron 100 ultra marathon is the perfect event for you. EXPEDITION+ SUBSCRIBERS SAVE 15% ON REGISTRATION FEES! Unable to run but want to join the movement? PERFECT - as a 501(c)(3) organization, the Huron 100 Team is looking for dedicated volunteers (like yours truly) to join their ranks on race day! Expedition Detroit is proud to partner with and promote like-minded organizations like the Huron 100 as part of our new "EXPEDITION+" platform. EXPEDITION+ createS a singular platform for accessing and promoting the entirety of the best of the Detroit region's outdoor tour providers, local outfitters, and impact-driven organizations. If you're interested in learning more information about the benefits of EXPEDITION+ as a subscriber or partner, please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com. Photos utilized within this article have been published with the express prior written consent of the Huron 100.

Metro Detroit just lost a rare albino deer - once the obsession of ancient mythology - to a very modern problem plaguing southern Michigan's outdoors. With Michigan's recent adoption of the "One Buck Rule," conservationists aim to keep such natural treasures out of the roads and back in the woods. On Tuesday, May 5th, 2026, the Detroit region lost an outdoor legend. A rare albino deer was struck and killed in the midst of a Farmington Hills, Michigan traffic crash that sparked immediate and widespread media attention across Michigan. Photos of the white-coated animal spread quickly online, drawing reactions ranging from sadness to superstition. Michigan's media fixation on this particular albino deer is, from a historical perspective, far from a modern novelty. To the contrary, the image of the animal for many Detroiters evoked ancient folklore that has surrounded all-white deer for centuries. In European mythology, white stags were often considered supernatural omens – creatures tied to the spirit world, destiny, or divine punishment. Celtic legends portrayed white deer as messengers from another realm, while some medieval traditions warned that harming one could bring misfortune. Similar stories appear in parts of Native American folklore, where white animals were sometimes viewed as sacred beings connected to karma or spiritual imbalance. Those beliefs, however, belong to the realm of mythology - not wildlife science. The tragic crash in Farmington Hills was - most likely - neither the result of a curse nor cosmic omen. It was part of a much larger and very real issue facing Michigan: an increasingly difficult balance between growing deer populations, shrinking hunter participation, suburban expansion, and rising vehicle collisions. Myth Buster: Southeast Michigan has a Serious Deer Overpopulation Problem Michigan has approximately 1.7 million deer statewide, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (the "DNR"). In 2023 alone, Michigan recorded 58,806 deer-related vehicle crashes, resulting in 1,725 injuries and 19 fatalities. State officials estimate those collisions cause roughly $130 million in damage annually. Metro Detroit and other southern Michigan communities have become especially vulnerable because suburban development has expanded directly into deer habitat. The result is a steady stream of dangerous roadway encounters that have become almost routine in Michigan news coverage over the past several years. Major crashes involving deer have been reported on I‑96, I‑75, M‑59, and numerous local roads throughout Oakland, Livingston, and Washtenaw counties. Some incidents have involved motorcycles, rollover accidents, or secondary crashes caused by drivers swerving to avoid animals. Wildlife experts have warned for years that Michigan’s deer management system is under growing pressure. One of the biggest challenges stems from a decades-long decline in hunting participation. Michigan hunting license sales have been declining by 1% to 3% annually since peaking in 1996, with a roughly 31% drop in deer hunters since 1995. The DNR has increasingly acknowledged this concern in its management recommendations. The Michigan Natural Resources Commission just decided this past Wednesday, May 13th, to implement a “one buck rule” beginning in 2027 for the lower peninsula. Now, Metro Detroit hunters will be limited to harvesting one buck per year, with license structures in the lower peninsula shifting notably towards increased antlerless (i.e., doe) harvest opportunities. Combination licenses would allow one buck and one doe, while single deer licenses will largely become antlerless-only. Supporters argue the changes would improve Michigan’s buck-to-doe ratio, encourage more sustainable herd management, and reduce excessive harvest pressure on younger bucks. Wildlife managers also believe that emphasizing doe harvests will better control overall population growth while improving long-term herd health and decreasing car crashes - such as the one that robbed the Detroit region of its prized albino deer. Less Crashes, More Harvests: The DNR's Strategy to Protect Healthy Deer Herds Importantly, many conservation advocates cite how overabundant deer populations can severely damage forest regeneration, increase the spread of disease such as chronic wasting disease, and create unsustainable browsing pressure on native plants. That is why many wildlife biologists increasingly frame deer management as a public health and environmental issue rather than merely a hunting issue. The death of one rare white deer may stir folklore about bad luck, but the real danger is ignoring the practical realities in front of us. Michigan’s deer population is not a mythical problem. It is a modern one – and managing it responsibly is essential for safer roads, healthier ecosystems, and stronger communities across Metro Detroit and the State of Michigan as a whole. GEAR UP FOR WHITETAIL DEER SEASON WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Interested in whitetail deer hunting - or getting into hunting in general? Check out our 2025 Ultimate Hunting Cheatsheet for all matters southeast Michigan hunting each fall!

Wildflower alert! As Michigan continues to warm in the spring, a beautiful array of native wildflowers are the first to greet the season. Join us to learn about these flowers and find out how to see them for yourself in the Detroit region's outdoors! Spring is such a wonderful time in Michigan. The forests, wetlands, and prairies are beginning to show signs of life, and everything is becoming green again. Pollinators are awake and searching for nectar, finding it in the colorful spring ephemerals that have begun to pop up on the forest floor. What are Spring Ephemerals? Spring ephemerals are plants that bloom early in the spring. These perennial native wildflowers complete their entire cycle of blooming and producing seed in the short period of time that sunlight reaches the forest floor. After the towering forest trees grow their leaves and cast their shade, most spring flowers will disappear, with many continuing to grow by roots underground. Spring ephemerals are an important piece of the native ecosystem, providing an essential food source for pollinators such as bees, ants, and butterflies. Pollinators are busy this spring along the Richardson Trail at Brighton State Recreation Area! Watch these insects visit a clump of spring beauty flowers. Since spring ephemerals have such a short amount of time to bloom and set seed every year, they often take many years to mature and flower from a seed. This makes them susceptible to invasive plant species such as garlic mustard and autumn olive. Wildlife also love to munch on these native wildflowers. Interested in experiencing the magic of these native wildflowers for yourself? Join one of our spring hikes! Throughout the month of May and into June, we will be hiking various trails in search of Michigan native wildflowers. Hikers will have the opportunity to see and learn about each plant we see, while experiencing first-hand the ecosystems where they can be found. Check out the end of this article for a list of our upcoming featured spring native wildflower hikes! Here are 10 Michigan Wildflowers to look for this Spring: 1. Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) Identification: Five white or pink petals, each petal with pink veining. Has thin leaves and grows to 3-6” tall. Habitat: Shaded beech-maple and oak forests. Can also grow in moist lowlands. Fun Fact: Spring Beauty is a dainty little flower, and an important early nectar source for pollinators. Pink lines on the petals help direct insects to the flower’s center. 2. Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) Identification: Trout lily flowers each have six yellow petals that bend backwards. Leave are a mottled green and brown; mature flowering plants have two leaves, while immature plants will only have one leaf. Habitat: Rich forests and moist thickets. Fun Fact: This beautiful flower may take 4-7 years to grow from seed before it blooms for the first time, so you may come across entire patches of leaves with no flowers. If you are lucky enough to come across a trout lily in bloom, be sure to snap a photo! 3. Round-Lobed Hepatica (Hepatica americana) Identification: Leathery leaves, each with three rounded lobes. Light lavender flowers are found at the top of a hairy stalk. Habitat: Partially shaded woodlands with rich soil, sometimes found on rocky slopes. Fun Fact: This flower does not have true petals, but rather sepals that act like petals. Sepals are usually found underneath the flower, providing support and structure. Round-lobed hepatica leaves are considered evergreen, meaning they can stay green throughout the entire winter until the following spring. 4. Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) Identification: Three large, pointed leaves, often two sets. The flower is green and maroon striped, located at the top of a spike. Habitat: All kinds of deciduous forests, sometimes even growing in open areas after forest clearing. Fun Fact: Unique and easily recognized, jack-in-the-pulpit is named for the shape of its flower, which resembles a minister at the pulpit. In the fall, a bright red cluster of berries provides a food source for birds (but are toxic to humans!) 5. Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) Identification: Glossy green leaves that are rounded or heart shaped. Flowers are a bright yellow, measuring about 1/2 - 1 1/2 inches across, typically found with 5-9 petals. Habitat: Wet areas such as marshes, swamps, and along streams. Fun Fact: Marsh marigold flowers appear yellow to humans, but they appear as an ultraviolet color to insects. 6. Large White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) Identification: Each plant has three leaves that grow from a single point on the stem. Three broad white petals form the flower, showing yellow at the center. Habitat: Well drained, moist to dry deciduous forests. Fun Fact: Often forming large colonies, the trillium is one of the most well-known spring wildflowers here in Michigan. As a favored food by deer, repeated deer grazing in some areas could be affecting flowering populations of trillium. 7. Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) Identification: Deeply lobed and toothed leaves 3-4 inches across. Pale purple flowers of five petals each are found at the end of long stems. Habitat: Rich forests, especially in moist sites such as near streams or swamps, but can also be found in drier forests. Fun Fact: Wild geranium can often be found in clumps, spreading by roots underground like many other spring ephemerals. After flowering, this plant produces a seed capsule that resembles a crane's bill. When seeds are released, they are launched away from the parent plant. 8. Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) Identification: Each plant has one or two umbrella-like, lobed leaves that sprout from the top of a stalk. White flowers grow from where the stem splits. This plant has a less-obvious flower, often hidden beneath its wide leaves. Habitat: Deciduous forests and borders of forests, both moist and dry sites. Fun Fact: After flowering, mayapple will produce a fruit resembling a small apple, which ripens to a pale yellow for a short period of time. Deer and other small mammals love to eat mayapple fruit. 9. Rue Anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides) Identification: Each leaf has three lobes on the end. Flowers are white, sometimes pink, with 5-10 petals. Habitat: Rich or dry forests, well-drained soil. Fun Fact: Rue anemone does not produce nectar, only offering pollen to passing insects. Similar to round-lobed hepatica, rue anemone flowers are made up of petal-like sepals, rather than true petals. 10. Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis) Identification: A perennial plant in the pea family, wild lupine has beautiful stalks of pink to purple flowers. Each leaf consists of 7-11 narrow leaflets radiating from a single point. Habitat: Dry sandy ground, found in open areas such as prairies and savannas. Fun Fact: The federally endangered Karner blue butterfly relies entirely on lupine for its survival, similar to the way monarch butterflies rely on milkweed. Lupine seed pods resemble bean or pea pods, and when dry, explode open to release and scatter its seeds. Featured Spring Wildflower Hikes As promised, here's a list of our upcoming spring hikes! We are excited to bring visitors out to witness the magical spring beauty of our very own Michigan trails. These hikes will allow hikers to experience everything our trails have to offer, with a special focus on finding and learning about spring wildflowers. Click each link to learn more and register! Monday, May 18th Park: Brighton State Recreation Area Trail: Richardson Trail (3 miles) Start time: 5:00 pm Wednesday, May 20th Park: Island Lake State Recreation Area Trail: Yellow Trail Loop (6.2 miles) Start time: 4:30 pm Friday, May 22nd Park: Pinckney State Recreation Area Trail: Crooked Lake Trail (4.4 miles) Start time: 9:00 am Tuesday, May 26th Park: Brighton State Recreation Area Trail: Penosha Trail (5 miles) Start time: 5:00 pm Friday, May 29th Park: Pinckney State Recreation Area Trail: Crooked Lake Trail (4.4 miles) Start time: 9:30 am Park: Pinckney State Recreation Area Trail: Silver Lake Trail (2.6 miles) Start time: 1:00 pm Saturday, May 30th Park: Waterloo State Recreation Area Trail: Hickory Hill Trail (4.4 miles) Start time: 10:00 am Hello! My name is Bria, and I would love to be your trail guide! Whether you're new to hiking or have been at it for years, there's an opportunity for everyone. While on the trail, I enjoy sharing all sorts of fun facts while creating a fun and safe experience for hikers of all ages. All photos in this post were taken by the author, Bria Peterson.

Detroit's outdoor floodgates are open! May's arrival signals the launch of "primetime" for our region's recreational ecosystem, and these "Top 10 Outdoor Events near Detroit" are perfect for exploring the wealth of outdoor experiences waiting for you this May. Guess what...it's gonna be May (in Detroit's outdoors). What does that mean exactly? In the Detroit region, that means the floodgates of outdoor recreation are flung wide open. An endless smorgasbord of races, family-friendly events, industry expos, and good ol' fashion camping and stargazing under the warmth of a mid-spring night. With our parks and trails now firing on all fronts, spring in Metro Detroit's outdoors can represent a chaotic, daunting challenge. Like a child walking into Disney World for the first time, the sudden inundation of recreational opportunities available to us can be paralyzing. As we all recalibrate to primetime in our outdoors, these Top Ten Outdoor Events near Detroit will ease the transition by providing fun, engaging, challenging, and rewarding experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Plus...we've thrown in a few special discounts for you to enjoy. Happy May - we can't wait to see you outside! 1. Celebrate Resiliency at the Trauma Survivors 5K May 3rd | Belle Isle Park | 8:40 a.m. The month of May packs in a lot of festive flair. From the "It's Gonna be May" memes to Star Wars Day, Mother's Day to Memorial Day, the entire month seems to celebrate a resurgence of life that could only accommodate Spring's natural revival. May also has another important feature: National Mental Health Awareness Month. Thirty-one days' worth of recognition that even in the midst of the festivities, we all need to prioritize caring for our mental health alongside our physical health. As well as support those still healing from the physical and mental trauma of devastating injuries. This May, we encourage you to put your support into action by joining a scenic run/walk that celebrates the courage and strength of individuals who have faced and overcome traumatic injuries. The "Trauma Survivors 5K 5K Run/1 Mile Walk" will take place at stunning Belle Isle Park, and offer a unique opportunity for survivors, family members, and healthcare providers to reconnect through outdoor recreation. Participants will take in the gorgeous views of the Detroit River, enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Belle Isle, and celebrate their amazing accomplishments along the way. 2. Jumpstart #TrailSeason at "Trail Fest Demo Day and $5 5K" Event May 3rd | Brighton State Recreation Area | 9:00 a.m. ICYMI, we have JUST entered peak #TrailSeason in the Detroit region. The lingering ice, snow, and torrential rains from early April have subsided. Our pristine campgrounds are open. And our envy-worthy trail system is primed for fueling your hiking, trail running, and backpacking adventures. Ready to jumpstart your 2025 Trail Season? Head over to Brighton Recreation Area THIS SATURDAY for "Trail Fest Demo Day and $5 5K," a truly unique and immersive expo sponsored by Running Lab and several partners in the Detroit region's outdoor recreation industry - including a little company called Expedition Detroit. The event will take place in the Bishop Lake Road Trailhead, and everyone who attends Trail Fest will receive one raffle ticket. But wait, there's more - if you participate in the "$5 5K" (with all proceeds supporting Brighton Recreation Area's trail maintenance), you'll earn an additional five raffle tickets. That's right, a 5-5-5 special. We're stoked. We'll see you there. EXPLORE BRIGHTON RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT 3. Celebrate Detroit's Fishing Heritage at Riverfront Fish Fest May 3rd | Milliken State Park | 10:00 a.m. Spring fishing in the Detroit region represents a time-honored tradition. Not only because generations of Detroiters have bonded while casting lines into the abundant Detroit River. Responsible fishing has also restored native fish populations to healthy, sustainable levels - including saving the prehistoric Lake Sturgeon from near extinction at the turn of the 21st century. Now that's worth celebrating - and for the FIRST TIME this year, the Detroit Riverfront is hosting the perfect event for doing so. THIS SATURDAY, head down to Milliken State Park along the riverfront to celebrate "Riverfront Fish Fest," sponsored by the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Michigan DNR, and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge! This inaugural Fish Fest will provide an exciting, fun-filled day on the Detroit Riverfront that brings together two beloved events: "Sturgeon Day" AND "Kids Fishing Fest." This family-friendly event is FREE to attend and the perfect opportunity to explore the wonders of wildlife and conservation while also experiencing the world of fishing. Expedition Detroit is a proud proponent of fishing, hunting, and other wildlife conservation activities occurring throughout the Detroit region. To learn more about the value of conservation throughout Michigan, please check out the Michigan Wildlife Council. 4. Protect Your Parks at a DNR Volunteer Workday May 10th and 20th | Bald Mountain Recreation Area | 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. As Mahatma Gandhi so eloquently stated, "Action expresses priorities." As applied to our region's outdoors, the Expedition Detroit team interprets this statement as a call to care for the people and places that you value, and that your values should further manifest into action. We care immensely for our wildest, most pristine outdoor destinations, as well as for the team at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that so diligently cares for them. Any opportunity to assist the DNR with their operations is an opportunity well-worth seizing. Fortunately for all of us, the DNR has taken the lead in sponsoring two official "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" events at Bald Mountain State Recreation Area this month: May 10th at 9 a.m. May 20th at 4 p.m. Volunteers will meet at the East Graham Boat Launch parking lot on the north side of Predmore Road in the park's North Unit. Work crew activities will focus on eliminating highly invasive garlic mustard that threatens to take over woodland environments. Long pants, long sleeve shirts, and closed-toe boots are recommended for these events. Register by emailing Emily Leslie at LeslieE1@Michigan.gov. 5. Meet the Game-Changers in Detroit's Recreation Industry at the "Partner Expo" May 17th | DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit, MI | 11 a.m. Michigan's outdoor recreation industry - and specifically Detroit's - is enjoying a stratospheric rise. In just a few short, exponential years, our region's investment in its outdoor destinations, experience providers, and retailers has caught the eye of the international media. Southeast Michigan is now regularly cited as a primetime destination to experience world-class outdoor recreation, from our award-winning riverfront, to plazas, to industry-redefining trail network. This month, we all have an opportunity to meet the regional partners that have facilitated such explosive growth in our outdoors at the "Partner Expo"! Come on down to the OAC to meet the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Metro Detroit-based community partners in recreation, leisure and health services. The DNR's partners will be sharing news about their impactful work and the services they provide to families throughout the region. There are two other perks to attending the Partner Expo: Admission to the event is complimentary to your ticket to the incredible OAC; and We'll be there. Just saying. 6. Wear Teal & Start a New Holiday Tradition with Mom May 11th | Ann Arbor, MI | 8 a.m. My Mom always encouraged an active, outdoor lifestyle for my brothers and I. Long before I ever had aspirations towards long-distance running, my dear mother all but forced me to run a few miles each day in order for me to get a less-than-fit middle schooler in-shape for my upcoming sports tryouts. Mother truly knew best - even if my angsty younger self vehemently disagreed. A few decades later, I can properly thank and celebrate her by signing us both up for a special Mother's Day 5K race: the Mother's Day Time to Teal Run in Downtown Ann Arbor! Beyond representing another holiday 5K tradition to add the list, this event both celebrates the incredible women in our lives AND raises awareness for ovarian cancer. A portion of registration fees also support the mission and operations of the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance, so you (and mom) will truly be running for a cause. Expedition Detroit is proud to partner with the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance in promoting this important event! We will also be raffling an "Expedition Bundle" guided hiking package in support of the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance's mission and operations. We hope to see you there - and don't forget to wear teal! 7. Celebrate the Aquatic Life at the Huron River Day Festival May 18th | Gallup Park, Ann Arbor, MI | 12 p.m. The Huron River - the central vein of the Detroit region's recreational ecosystem - is worth celebrating every day of every season. That's undeniable. However, the Huron truly comes alive in May, both in terms of returned wildlife, wildflower blooms - and the influx of paddlers and anglers eager to experience both! In honor of the Huron, the City of Ann Arbor's Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its annual "Huron River Day" festival at Gallup Park! The festival will include discounted boat rentals, children's activities, river exhibits, live music, and food trucks/carts. The festival also includes complementary bicycle tune-ups, half hour guided hikes, and a special performance from Ann Arbor’s own Laith Al-Saadi — finalist from Season 10 of NBC’s “The Voice.” 8. Start Memorial Day on the Right Foot with a Community Race May 26th | Milford, MI | 8 a.m. Out of all the quintessential trail towns that host special Memorial Day events, Downtown Milford is without a doubt one of our favorites. Beyond the town's annual parade, epic flyovers, and impressive memorial to all of the United States' fallen heroes since the Revolutionary War, Milford's festivities also include a special pre-parade tradition to kick-off its wealth of community events: the annual Milford Memorial Day Run. Sponsored by our #ExpeditionPartner Running Venture, the Milford Memorial Day Run starts at 8 a.m. with its 5K and 10K races along the beautiful Milford-Kensington Trail! A special "Kid's Run" also starts at 9:30 a.m., leaving plenty of time to trek over from the race's finish line at the Carl's Family Y.M.C.A. to Main Street. All runner's will receive a custom shirt, finisher award, and complimentary refreshments. There will also be special awards for the top male and female finishers in each event, along with top 3 in each age group! USE CODE "EXPDET25" TO SAVE 15% ON THIS RACE! 9. Go Jurassic at the T-Rex Triathlon Series May 28th | Island Lake State Recreation Area | 6 p.m. No sport celebrates the return of warm weather quite like a triathlon. Beyond the practical impossibility of swimming in a frozen Kent Lake during winter, a triathlon forces each participant to embrace the elements as they are. The crisp cool of flowing water. The radiant heat of the trail. The warming rays of the sun. And you, the tri-sport athlete, joined by hundreds of your new best friends navigating the variables of a race designed to challenge and reward you. In our opinion, every outdoor enthusiast should complete at least one triathlon in their life. Fortunately for all of us, our friends at RF Events are hosting four this year within their "T-Rex Spring Triathlon Series." The first event of the series - the "Stegosaurus Triathlon and Duathlon" - will be held at Island Lake State Recreation Area and consist of both a sprint triathlon (0.5 mile swim, 12.4 mile cycle, and 5K run) and duathlon (1.5 mile run, 12.4 mile cycle, and 5K run) events. All finishers will receive a custom medal and finish-line food! 10. Space Out May at a Dark Sky Preserve May 31st | Point Pelee National Park, ON | 7:30 p.m. Finish off a jam-packed May by spacing out into the cosmos over at Point Pelee National Park - the best stargazing destination in the Detroit region - for a celebratory "Dark Sky Nights" event! This outing is especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave cooler temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.

Welcome to peak foraging season, Detroit! Here's the Expedition Detroit guide on adding some flavor to your hikes by highlighting seven edible plants for easy foraging in Southeast Michigan (and beyond). "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it." Each of us can probably think of an item or two that pops into our mind after reading that statement. For an outdoor enthusiast, that statement typically enters our vernacular when planning for an extended outing, such as a multi-day backpacking trip, long trail run, or thru-paddle. "Do I really need that extra pair of socks?" "How much water is too much for this ride?" "Should I pack the snowshoes for these conditions?" Fortunately, taking the time to learn a few critical survival skills represents an "I'd rather have it and not need it" time investment that can immensely benefit your outdoor experience - with life-saving returns - without adding any weight to your pack. One basic survival lesson includes the "Rule of 3s": You can generally survive 3 minutes without breathable air while unconscious or in icy water. You can generally survive 3 hours in a harsh environment (extreme heat or cold) without adequate shelter. You can generally survive 3 days without drinkable water. You can generally survive 3 weeks without edible food. This article, as you've probably guessed by now, focuses on the last bullet: foraging for edible food in the Detroit region's wildest places. Did you know you might be stepping on something you can eat? There are dozens of edible plants native to Southeast Michigan. And guess what? A lot of them aren’t hard to find. 🤫 You just need to know where to look! In this article, you’ll learn about seven easy-to-spot plants you can forage on your next hike. This article covers: An introduction to foraging; and Edible plants that are native to Southeast Michigan This article is your guide to discovering edible plants throughout the Detroit region's wildest parks and trails - as well as in your own backyard. NEW! Book a guided foraging hike with Expedition Detroit! What is Foraging? Foraging is like a treasure hunt in nature. You search for wild, edible plants and mushrooms to harvest and enjoy. It’s an age-old practice that connects us to the land and the natural food sources around us. In Southeast Michigan, you can forage in: Forests Fields Meadows Along trails and roadsides Lawns (aka your own backyard) When you forage, you're not just collecting food - you're learning to identify plants and understand their growing environments. Foraging provides a fantastic way to spend time outdoors, get some exercise, and bring home fresh AND free ingredients for your kitchen. Plus, it can turn any hike into an adventure. Edible Plants Native to Southeast Michigan Let’s dive into seven edible plants that you can easily forage in Southeast Michigan. For each plant, you’ll discover: What the species looks like Where to find them Best uses for each plant As an extra bonus, we've provided a "Cheatsheet" for each plant that you'll be able to readily reference while out in the field or in the kitchen. 1. Wild Strawberries (fragaria virginiana) Wild strawberries are tiny and SUPER cute! 🍓 They’re much smaller than the ones you would find at your local grocery store. They have small white flowers in the spring that turn into little red berries in the summer. The leaves are trifoliate — which is a fancy way of saying each leaf has three “leaflets” that make up a single leaf. You can find these little babies low to the ground. Wild strawberries grow in open woods, meadows, hillsides, and along trails. So you may not even have to venture very far to get some. You can use strawberries in a variety of recipes, or they can be eaten on their own! WILD STRAWBERRY FORAGING CHEATSHEET fragaria virginiana (wild strawberry) Identification: Small white flowers, tiny red berries, trifoliate leaves with serrated edges Location: Open woods, meadows, hillsides, along trails Season: Summer Best for: Eating fresh, preserves, desserts, salads 2. Dandelions (taraxacum officinale) We can say with almost 100% confidence that you’ve seen dandelions before. They stand out with their distinctive bright yellow flowers and jagged, tooth-like leaves. They can grow pretty much anywhere. You can find dandelions in lawns, gardens, fields, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. Early spring to fall is the best time to harvest. The entire plant can be eaten too. Nothing goes to waste. You can use the leaves for salads and pestos. And you can make dandelion tea with the flowers. 🍵 DANDELION FORAGING CHEATSHEET Taraxacum officinale (dandelion) Identification: Bright yellow flowers, jagged leaves with tooth-like edges growing at the base of the plant, hollow leafless stems hold the flowers Location: Lawns, gardens, fields, roadsides, disturbed areas Season: Early spring to fall Best for: Teas, salads, pesto Photo courtesy of Tim Gainey 3. Wild Garlic (allium vineale) Wild garlic looks a lot like other plants — but you can smell the difference. Because (duh) it smells like garlic! Wild garlic has long, narrow leaves that grow from the base of the plant. And small, greenish-white flowers that grow in clusters at the top. Look for wild garlic in fields, meadows, lawns, roadsides, and other disturbed areas. The best time to forage for them is from late winter to late-spring. You can cook with wild garlic the same way you would cook with chives or green onions. WILD GARLIC FORAGING CHEATSHEET allium vineale (wild garlic) Identification: Long and narrow leaves/stems growing from base of plant, strong garlic odor, and small greenish-white flowers Location: Fields, meadows, lawns, roadsides, and disturbed areas Season: Late winter to late spring Best for: Culinary uses similar to chives or green onions 4. Wild Blackberries (rubus allegheniensis) Wild berries just hit different, right? Let's take Exhibit A, wild blackberries. What starts as a reddish colored, bitter fruit perfectly ripens into black, savory, and delicious berries. You can find wild blackberries in thickets, at the edge of the forest, roadsides, and open fields. The leaves are made up of three to five leaflets with serrated edges. The best time to look for ripe berries is from mid to late-summer. You can pop these straight into your mouth after you pick them (our go-to method). Or, like strawberries, they can be used in a variety of dishes. BLACKBERRY FORAGING CHEATSHEET rubus alleghenienis (wild blackberry) Identification: 3-5 leaflets with serrated edges, white to pinkish flowers with five petals, berries turn black when ripe Location: Thickets, forest edges, roadsides, open fields Season: Mid to late-summer Best for: Eating fresh, salads, desserts, preserves, beverages, sauces/syrups 5. Lowbush Blueberries (vaccinium angustifolium) Wild blueberries are a true end-of-summer treat! These low-growing shrubs are a forager's dream. 🫐 You can easily identify them by their oval-shaped leaves and clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers in the spring. Come mid to late-summer, these blossoms grow into small, round berries that turn a vibrant blue. You'll typically find these tasty gems thriving in open woods, forest edges, meadows, and even in rocky or sandy areas. Whether you enjoy them fresh off the bush, incorporate them into your baking, whip up some homemade preserves, or create delectable sauces, lowbush blueberries are versatile and delicious! BLUEBERRY FORAGING CHEATSHEET vaccinium angustifolium (lowbush blueberry) Identification: Oval-shaped leaves, white bell-shaped flowers, small and round berries, low-growing shrubs Location: Open woods, forest edges, meadows, rocky or sandy areas Season: Mid to late-summer Best for: Eating fresh, baking, preserves, sauces 6. Wild Leeks (allium tricoccum) You can spot wild leeks in early spring with their broad, lance-shaped leaves that have a slightly shiny surface and purplish-red lower stems. One telltale sign that you've found a wild leek is the garlic smell. Give a leaf a gentle crush in your hand to release the aroma. You can eat wild leeks fresh, sauté them in your favorite dishes, pickle the bulbs, blend them into a pesto, or use them to add a burst of flavor to almost any meal. WILD LEEKS FORAGING CHEATSHEET allium tricoccum (wild leek) Identification: Broad lance-shaped leaves, slightly shiny surface, purplish-red lower stem, garlic smell Location: Rich and moist deciduous forests Season: Early spring Best for: Eating fresh, cooking, pickling, pesto, and flavoring 7. Morel Mushrooms (morchella spp.) The Morel Mushroom's unique honey-combed cap and cylindrical stem make this delicacy mushroom very easy to identify in the wild. The top of the mushroom looks like a brain, and its colors can vary from cream and yellow to gray and dark brown. You'll typically find morels in moist wooded areas — especially around decaying trees, old orchards, and recently burned areas. The mushroom thrives in these environments from spring to early summer. Morels add a rich, earthy flavor to your cooking. The mushroom is absolutely perfect for enhancing sauces and pasta dishes. ⚠️ WARNING: Watch out for false morel mushrooms. They’re toxic. You can tell it’s a false morel if it is NOT hollow from the base of the stem to the top of the cap, as well as if the top is less egg-shaped and more irregular than a true morel. As Bear Grylls once said, "When in doubt, spit it out!" 🙅🏽‍♂️ MOREL MUSHROOM FORAGING CHEATSHEET morchella spp. (morel mushroom) Identification: Egg-shaped and honey-combed caps, cylindrical stem, colors ranging from cream to yellow and gray to dark brown Location: Moist wooded areas, around decaying trees, old orchards, burned areas Season: Spring to early summer Best for: Cooking, sauces, pasta dishes Ready to Add Some Flavor to your Next Adventure? Discovering and harvesting wild plants adds a new layer of adventure to your hikes — from the sweet, tiny wild strawberries to the versatile wild leeks. Foraging lets you connect with the food you prepare more intimately. If you want to hike with a guide who has in-depth knowledge of Southeast Michigan, check out our guided adventures. Happy foraging, Detroit! 🍄

It's Shroom Season, Detroit! Now that Michigan's favorite seasonal delicacy is just starting to rise from its annual hibernation, here are Expedition Detroit's best identification tips and local destinations for hunting morel mushrooms near Detroit. "April near the D" draws two very specific, and different, "hunters" to the Detroit region's woods each spring. One is decked head to toe in camo, chasing after distant gobbles during the opening weeks of Michigan's spring turkey season. The other - and arguably, the more passionate cohort - needs only sharp eyes, a bag, and a healthy dose of foraging knowledge. This article is intended to induct you, aspiring morel mushroom hunter, into one of Michigan's favorite spring past times. As you continue your seasonal hikes through Metro Detroit's beloved trails, you'll be armed with skillset for bagging the bounty of one of nature's most prized delicacy. One which requires minimal preparation for a fantastic, organic meal. Welcome to "Shroom Season," Detroit! Here's our guide to hunting morel mushrooms near Detroit, including best practices on how to locate and identify morels and where to hunt them. JOIN EXPEDITION DETROIT ON A NEW FORAGING HIKE! Morel Mushroom Hunting 101: Field Identification Tips On Expedition Detroit guided hikes, we typically receive a question or two about in-season foraging. Whether the questions concerns identifying and harvesting berries or other edible plants, both our guides and guests alike love spotting and tasting the fruits of the trail as an extra perk of the hike. For most foraged plants and berries, identification is relatively easy - and therefore low risk. When it comes to mushrooms, however, our rule of thumb is that unless you are 100% certain that a particular mushroom is safe to eat, then do not consume it. Unlike other misidentified plants, consuming the wrong mushroom will upset your stomach at best - and could fatal organ failure at worst. Some poisonous mushrooms are even referred to as the "Angel of Death" due to their potency, and unfortunately the poisonous ones often mimic their delicious counterparts in appearance. We at Expedition Detroit are big fans of not dying on the trail. Or dying in general, but especially in preventable circumstances like correctly identifying edible morels vs. the infamous "false morels." Let's potentially save some lives and serve up delicious meals with correct identification now. EDIBLE MOREL #1: White Morel (morchella americana) The most common morel, often called the white or gray morel. Its color varies from light cream to gray to yellowish-brown depending on habitat and age. The hollow cap is attached to the stalk at base. The common morel is perhaps the easiest of all edible spring mushrooms to recognize, and is therefore widely collected. The white morel fruits in the latter half of May. It is found in a wide variety of habitats, primarily under hardwoods, including old orchards, beech-maple forests, oak woods, burned-over meadows and occasionally lawns. Occasionally found associated with conifers, especially white pine. EDIBLE MOREL #2: Black Morel (morchella angusticeps) The popular black morel, or eastern black morel. Its color varies from gray in young specimens to almost black in older ones. Its hollow cap is attached to the stalk at the lower edge and can be up to seven inches tall. Black morels are usually the first true morels to appear in spring, fruiting in early to mid-May under ash, aspen, cherry and occasionally under pines. The crop often peaks when serviceberry bushes are in full bloom. EDIBLE MOREL #3: Half-Free Morel (morchella punctipes) Commonly called the "half-free" morel because the cap is detached from the stalk about halfway down, resembling a skirt. It is similar in color and general appearance to the white morel but is usually smaller. The half-free morel fruits abundantly about one year in three on moist humus in oak-hickory and beech-maple forests. CAUTION: Do not mistake this edible species for "verpa" species of false morels, whose caps are totally free-hanging. EDIBLE MOREL #4: Burn-Site Morel (morchella exuberans) The burn-site morel may appear in conifer forests the first year after a fire, and more rarely two years after. Its hollow caps are conical or nearly round, and on mature caps, ridges are dark brown to black in color. FALSE MORELS: Meet the Verpas The easiest way to differentiate the false morels (verpa species) from the true morels (morchella) is to check to see if the cap connects to the stalk. Free-hanging varieties should not be eaten. POISONOUS MOREL #1: Verpa Bohemica Often mistaken for the black morel, verpa bohemica appears in late April before trees and shrubs have leafed out. Caps are dark brown and hang completely free of the stalk, like a full skirt. Fruits in rich, moist soils, often along stream banks and swamp edges. POISONOUS MOREL #2: Verpa Conica Smaller than Bohemica and fruits a few days later. Caps hang free of the stalk. Often grows in forests of mixed conifers and hardwoods, under wild cherry trees and in old apple orchards. IF REALIZE THAT YOU INGESTED A VERPA MUSHROOM, the first step is to stay calm. It's not uncommon for foragers to accidentally pick a false morel, but then serendipitously properly prepare them for safe consumption through cooking them thorougholy to remove the gyromitrin neurotoxin. So there's a small chance that the false morels will pass through your system without incident. That being said, all species of false morels contain the poisonous neurotoxin gyromitrin. This affects your body’s mucus membranes and digestive system and can lead to widespread problems throughout your body, with most cases causing symptoms that resemble a bad stomach flu. Symptoms typically set in 6 - 24 hours after you’ve eaten the false morels, but you may experience symptoms sooner if you inhale the toxin when cooking. If you start developing symptoms of false morel poisoning - even if your symptoms seem mild at first - you need to contact poison control. Moderate to severe cases of false morel poisoning require you to take action as soon as possible to keep your symptoms from getting worse. Poison control can evaluate your symptoms and approximate dosage and tell you what next steps are best for your situation. The best general advice for every case of false morel poisoning is to stay as hydrated and well-nourished as possible. Michigan DNR-produced map displaying recent large burn areas in the Detroit region. ON THE HUNT: Recommended Locations for Harvesting Morel Mushrooms near Detroit Large burn sites in forested areas are ideal for morel mushroom hunting, especially in burned areas where jack, white, or red pine once grew. Grassy and other non forest areas are not as likely to produce morels. Fortunately for all of us, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have put together a map of large burn areas that occurred within the past couple years. The marked locations include those where sizable fires (more than 10 acres) occurred the previous year. Note that morel mushrooms will only grow where there was a forested once cover type. Based on the Michigan DNR-provided data, here are Expedition Detroit's recommended locations for harvesting morel mushrooms near Detroit: 1. Highland State Recreation Area | Mt. Kanzer Trail A 21 acre prescribed burn occurred at Highland Recreation Area in 2025, as well as a subsequent burn earlier this month. Fortunately for foraging hikers, these burns occurred directly adjacent to the Mt. Kanzer Trail (also referred to as the Milford Connector Trail). As such, following the trail should provide direct access to a bounty of morel mushrooms this spring. 2. Bald Mountain State Recreation Area | Blue, White, and Orange Trails In 2025, the Michigan DNR conducted a 20 acre prescribed burn within Bald Mountain State Recreation Area's popular "North Unit," just south of West Graham Lake. This area is readily accessible for intrepid morel mushroom hunters via Bald Mountain's celebrated "Orange Trail" loop that circumnavigates this particular hotspot. 3. Sterling State Park | Western Segments of Park Last but certainly not least, Sterling State Park in Monroe County experienced a MASSIVE 113 acre prescribed burn in 2025 - leading to FANTASTIC morel mushroom prospects this spring. The burn occurred in the park's western segments, just south of the park's main access road. As you hunt for morel mushrooms near Detroit - and especially if you venture off-trail (as is typically required) - please remember to implement "Leave No Trace" principles as you forage for nature's bounty this spring. Happy mushroom hunting, Detroit - we'll see you in the woods!

Spring is in full swing at Belle Isle Park, Detroit's "Crown Jewel" of natural beauty, architectural mastery, and cultural hub! Here's Expedition Detroit's recommended itinerary for (re)discovering Michigan's most popular State Park this spring and beyond. Photo courtesy of Michael Thomas, Micdesigns Studio Can Michigan's most-visited State Park - boasting more than 5 million visitors a year - still be considered a "hidden gem" within Detroit's growing tourism sector? Yes. Absolutely. As millions of tourists plan their "peak season" visits to Metro Detroit, whether for family reunions, business conventions, Viking Cruise tours , or otherwise, Belle Isle is surprisingly not on most itineraries for shorter visits. The Henry Ford in Dearborn typically carries that title, which is understandable given our region's heavyweight status as America's birthplace of innovation. In our humble opinion, however, if you only had a half-day opportunity to experience the "vest best" of the Detroit region, then cross the MacArthur Bridge to explore Belle Isle Park. This marvel of a destination is nestled in the shimmering waters of the Detroit River between Detroit and Windsor and boasts a remarkable blend of natural beauty, architectural elegance, and deep-rooted history - all waiting to be discovered by travelers looking to immerse themselves in one of Detroit’s most iconic landscapes. Photo courtesy of Valnet Inc MEET BELLE ISLE PARK: A Highlight Reel of Detroit's Nature, Art, and Culture Where to begin with reintroducing a park as beloved, historic, complex, and iconic as Belle Isle Park... Dating back to the 1700s , Belle Isle's initial name was slightly less romantic than its current designation. The French referred to it as "Hog Island," stemming directly from the island's utilization as elaborate animal storage facility. In the following century, Hog Island's ownership evolved through bloodshed from the French to the British Crown in 1763, and subsequently from the British to the United States in 1783. It wasn't until the conclusion of the War of 1812 , however, that Belle Isle passed into private ownership for the first time. The island became the private estate of General Alexander Macomb, Jr., and remained privately owned until the City of Detroit's acquisition in 1879 . During this period of private ownership, the island forever ditched its "Hog Island" moniker in favor of "Belle Isle," a flattering nod to Miss Isa belle Cass, the daughter of Governor Lewis Cass. The name obviously stuck, especially due to the immensity of natural beauty contained within its 982 acres. Shortly after the City's acquisition, famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted - the same designer of Central Park in New York City - was hired to elevate Belle Isle into a world-class recreational destination. Starting in the 1880s, Olmsted's designs gradually transformed Belle Isle into not only the United States' largest island park, but a multi-faceted outdoor paradise fit for recreationists of every genre. More recently, Belle Isle became a Michigan State Park maintained by the Department of Natural Resources in 2013. Ten years into the Michigan DNR's 30-year lease, Belle Isle has rebounded from decades of neglect due to the $20 million of improvements that the DNR has allocated to the park. The Belle Isle of 2026 represents Michigan's most-visited state park, complete with reimagined trails, playgrounds, and amenities designed to continually welcome generations of recreationists back to its shores. Now that you've been formally introduced to Belle Isle... if you're visiting the City of Detroit for business, for a world-class event, or as a port-of-call on a cruise liner, here are Expedition Detroit's "can't miss" recommendations for a whirl-wind, one-day tour of Belle Isle Park in Detroit . DESTINATION #1: Lighthouse and Blue Heron Lagoon Trail Total Distance : 2.1 miles Elevation Gain : 22 feet Trail Rating : Easy Route Orientation : Loop(s) Parking Specifics : Parking available Ralph Wilson Gateway trailhead; Michigan Recreation Passport required for entry to Belle Isle Park WELCOME TO BELLE ISLE! Chances are that you've been sitting for a bit - unless you're one of our favorite active spirits that elected to bike to the island - so let's start your grand tour by stretching your legs on our favorite trail: the Lighthouse and Blue Heron Lagoon Trail . Even before exiting your vehicle, you will know exactly where your adventure on Belle Isle's Lighthouse and Blue Heron Lagoon trail begins. Opened just recently in April of 2022, the Ralph Wilson Gateway - complete with its small plaza, park/trail kiosk, pergola, picnic tables, and massive " One World ... Under Michigan Stars " glass-and-steel sculpture - is as stunning a trailhead as you could ever wish for. For the next 0.3 miles, you will follow Belle Isle's southern shoreline in an eastern direction, oscillating between paved and natural trail towards the William Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse . This stretch will provide your best opportunity for catching glimpses of the freighters passing by, as well as glimpses into Canada. Also keep your eyes peeled for migratory birds, especially bald eagles that frequent Belle Isle throughout the year. Your first pass of the lighthouse will arrive at the 0.5 mile marker. Erected in honor of the long-time president of the Lake Carriers Association, this ornamental lighthouse was designed in 1930 by Hungarian sculptor Geza Maroti in Detroit's prominent Art Deco style. The 58-foot-tall lighthouse was sculpted out of Georgia marble – the only such structure in North America – and generates an 8600-candlepower beacon visible for up to fifteen miles. From this vantage point, you’ll also enjoy sweeping views of the Detroit River and the Windsor waterfront—a unique international perspective that few destinations can offer. If you're lucky, you'll also get to take in views of impressive freighters gliding steadily along the Detroit River—reminders of the region’s enduring connection to maritime trade. It’s the perfect moment to pause, take photos, and soak in the beauty of the Great Lakes region. Past the lighthouse, keep heading north across the Blue Heron Lagoon bridge to breathtaking views of the lagoon, the Detroit River, Peche Island, and the great beyond of Lake St. Clair. Both Belle Isle and Peche Island are notable for several ecological, historical, and cultural reasons - not the least of which being that both islands are rumored to be haunted and/or cursed . Regardless of which supernatural overtones may or may not exist in the Detroit River's western stretches, the panoramic views from Belle Isle's easternmost point are enough to take your breath away - from awe, not from fright. As your walk continues, you’ll trace the natural contours of Belle Isle’s shoreline, eventually arriving at the tranquil waters of Blue Heron Lagoon. This serene inland lagoon is a haven for birdlife and one of the park’s most peaceful corners. Keep an eye out for native wildlife as you stroll. Belle Isle is home to a surprising diversity of species, from graceful great blue herons to turtles basking in the sun along the lagoon’s edge. It’s a place where nature thrives just minutes from a major urban center. Across the Blue Heron Lagoon Bridge you'll find Belle Isle's "Hipster Zone." No, it won't be flooded with man buns and Vampire Weekend tunes. Named after the "blink and you'll miss it" Hipster Beach - the site of a 1967 hippy beach party - this 0.9 miles of hiking along the lagoon's northern woods will provide some of Belle Isle's best wildlife viewing opportunities. Back over the Blue Heron Lagoon Bridge, the final 0.5 miles of hiking will guide you past the Livingstone Memorial Lighthouse again and along the lagoon's southern shoreline. Other than a brief 0.2 mile detour on a natural trail, you will follow the gravel Eugene and Elaine C. Driker Trail directly back to Belle Isle's landmark trailhead. Photo courtesy of Paragon Properties DESTINATION #2: Sunset Point and James Scott Memorial Fountain Belle Isle isn’t just a natural retreat—it’s also home to some of Detroit’s most striking historic structures and romantic vistas. As your tour of Belle Isle Park continues, you’ll traverse the island to visit Sunset Point, a scenic overlook known for its panoramic river views and postcard-worthy vistas. Pause to take an the stunning international vantage point of both Downtown Detroit and its twin city Windsor, Ontario across the river. From Sunset Point, make your way to the magnificent James Scott Memorial Fountain . This grand marble fountain, one of the largest of its kind in the United States, stands as a testament to the island’s legacy as a place of beauty and public gathering - as well as a monument to controversial figure who funded it. Photo courtesy of The Perna Team DESTINATION #3: Nancy Brown Peace Carillon Continuing along Belle Isle's southern coastline, your next destination constitutes one of the park's most beautiful and unique landmarks: the Nancy Brown Peace Carillon . This neo-Gothic tower rises gracefully above the landscape, its bells once ringing out messages of peace and remembrance. Walking beneath its towering arches offers a quiet, reflective moment amid the day’s exploration. Beyond the architectural and natural elements of the tower, what makes Belle Isle's Nancy Brown Peace Carillon tower truly unique involves the story - and influential personality - behind its establishment. Annie Louise Leslie came to work at the Detroit News in 1919. She wrote what became an enormously popular advice column under the pen name "Nancy Brown," her real identity always kept a tightly held secret. Following up on a reader's suggestion, Brown went on to ask her audience to support the construction of a carillon (musical bell) tower in the park. At the height of the Great Depression, more than 60,000 readers donated small amounts - often pennies - until they had raised money enough to build the tower. Construction began in 1939, with a copper time capsule containing news clippings about the creation of the tower entombed in the cornerstone. The 85-foot Neo-Gothic tower was dedicated on June 17, 1940, in front of a crowd estimated by the city police to be 100,000 strong. Seeing as the bell tower on Belle Isle rose during the early days of World War II, it was dedicated to peace. As its bronze bells played for the first time, Nancy Brown finally revealed her face to the crowd. DESTINATION #4: Grand Finale at the Belle Isle Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory The final stretch of your journey brings you to two of Belle Isle’s most beloved attractions: the Belle Isle Aquarium and the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory. The Belle Isle Aquarium , which is the oldest in the United States since opening in 1904, features a beautifully restored Beau-Arts historic exterior that reflects Detroit’s early 20th-century grandeur. The aquarium boasts a vast collection of saltwater and freshwater fish among its massive central tank, grand pillars, and beautiful green-tiled walls. Local legend says that the basement was home to a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and that, during a time of cinched purses and hungry bellies, a sea turtle named "Big Pete" was sold to the local fish market. Just steps away, the Conservatory invites you into a lush, glass-enclosed world of exotic plants and vibrant greenery—a striking contrast to the surrounding river landscape. Designed by Albert Kahn, the Conservatory also opened in1904 and was dedicated to Anna Scripps Whitcomb in 1955 after she donated her 600-plant orchid collection to the City of Detroit. The conservatory boasts 13 acres, a formal perennial garden, seasonal floral beds, a lily pond garden, and five sections of flora. For every genre of traveler, this guided itinerary of Belle Isle offers a truly special experience: a chance to connect with Detroit beyond its typical highlights. Rather than simply providing a tour, this experience constitutes a story told through landscapes, landmarks, and local insights. Whether you’re a nature lover, a history enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys discovering hidden gems, Belle Isle delivers on every level. By the time you return to your home, hotel, or cruise ship cabin, you’ll carry with you not just photos, but a genuine sense of connection to one of Detroit’s most treasured places. BOOK A GUIDED HIKE OF BELLE ISLE PARK WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT!

We've done the fieldwork. The results are in. Here's our argument for why April is the best month for backpacking near Detroit! Every season in Detroit's outdoors has its "thing." Skiing and snowboarding easily dominate the winter months as the " Big Four Ski Resorts " near Detroit bustle on deep powder days. On the other end of the calendar, kayaking and paddle boarding lure recreationists to our region's refreshing lakes and rivers on scorching summer weekends. Fall can be a mixed bag in light of peak marathon and mountain biking seasons overlapping, but the latest stats support that deer hunting still carries the season's recreational crown in southeast Michigan. How about spring? Easy choice: backpacking near Detroit. Especially in early spring conditions. If that has you scratching your head, we understand the misplaced confusion. For starters, April in Metro Detroit can still be pretty cold. Exhibit A, the light snowfall that covered my garden beds this morning. Other readers might be surprised that the Detroit region has bona fide backpacking trails . If that's you, then you'll be pleasantly surprised to learn that we actually have three multi-day trails - with more on the way. Fortunately for you, aspiring Metro Detroit backpacker, we've done the field testing on your behalf to arrive at this conclusion. Over multiple seasons, in variable conditions. The confirmed hypothesis is that April reigns supreme as the best month for backpacking near Detroit, and for a litany of reasons. Allow us to demonstrate through these 9 key ones. JOIN EXPEDITION DETROIT ON A BACKPACKING TRIP THIS APRIL! 1. APRIL MEANS SPRING WITHOUT (MOST OF) THE BUGS Early spring provides the best of the outdoors sans bugs - although stay on tick patrol " No thanks, I'll be fine. I don't want the smell. " I can't imagine the face I must of been making back towards this person at the trailhead of a guided hike of Highland Recreation Area's " Haven Hill Loop ." We were hiking in late June, and I had just offered the whole group a can of mosquito repellent for the hordes of blood-thirsty bugs that waited for us amidst the wetlands that hug the scenic trail. I insisted that they reconsider my offer. They respectfully, yet firmly, denied such reconsideration. Roughly a mile later, everyone in the group - myself and this particular hiker included - were dousing ourselves in bug spray. The allure of "peak season" backpacking during summer months can often be undercut by ravenous mosquitoes, flies, and other insects that thrive in warm, humid conditions. When you backpack in April, you largely remove that variable from the backpacking equation. A pesky mosquito may crash the party every now and then, but for the most part you'll be hiking well before the arrival of peak bug season. There is one major exception to this general blessing: ticks . Over the last decade, Michigan's resident tick population has grown steadily - including the proliferation of tick-borne illnesses. The main "hatching" occurs in early spring, so please invest in ample permethrin and other tick-preventive applications before hitting the trail.   2. NO CROWDS, NO WORRIES Find your solitude on early season trails Have you ever wondered what differentiates a " hiking trail " from a " backpacking trail "? The two terms may seem interchangeable, but our thorough, Expedition Detroit -internal analysis determined that a "backpacking trail" represents a trail specifically and logistically planned for multi-day use, while a technical "hiking trail" can be fully enjoyed as a day hike. Stated differently, all "backpacking trails" can be regarded as "hiking trails," but not all "hiking trails" are "backpacking trails." I had ample time to ponder this question and so, so many more while backpacking the Chief Pontiac Trail in 2023. Alone. Over long, long stretches of interconnected "hiking trails" forming one singular "backpacking trail." During "peak hiking season," you rarely get such an opportunity to ponder the depths of the universe while enjoying the de-stimulation of nature. Even the grandest of insights easily get lost to the incessant " Hi ," or " How's it going ," and especially unexpected dog visits, when you're sharing the trail with hundreds of other recreationists. Backpacking in April provides unparalleled opportunities to reap the mental health benefits of solitude in nature. Whether you're looking to brainstorm your life's next adventure or processing a recent trauma, we're firm believers that long, winding miles through a budding forest will provide the inspiration and restoration that your soul desires. Nature remains the best therapist and life coach freely available to us all. Blind Lake's stunning backcountry campsite 3. WIDE OPEN CAMPSITES April means open season on Metro Detroit's 5-star campsites I kicked myself for over a year. When I first backpacked the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail in 2023, I opted to skip my reservation at Pinckney's "Blind Lake Campground" for a final 13-mile push from Green Lake to Silver Lake. It seemed like the best use of energy after 3 full, adventurous days on the trail. Then I read - via multiple sources - that Blind Lake wore the crown of Metro Detroit's top-rated backcountry campsite . More specifically, Blind Lake's Site #3 is THE most sought-after campsite in our region. I would not repeat this blasphemous error. One year later, in honor of the Potawatomi Trail's 60th anniversary , I planned to backpack the famous loop with an overnight at Blind Lake. At Site #3. Which I reserved as soon as the Michigan DNR's website permitted me to do so. I fully-expected to share a picturesque early-spring night with several other backpackers. Instead, I had all of Blind Lake to myself. I built a roaring campfire with the ample supply of dead wood. I washed away the dust from the trail in the refreshing lake. I wrote in my journal, listened to the harmonies of the surrounding frogs and birds, and gazed gratuitously as the dazzling starlit sky above me. Most notably, I remained awestruck that no one else was there to share that experience with me. April backpacking near Detroit provides such wonders. 4. RETURN OF WARM DAYS ON THE TRAIL April backpacking provides a preview of warmer days ahead on Metro Detroit's trails " First Michigan tests you, then it rewards you. " This slogan became increasingly popular on my "outdoor social media feed" last winter, usually paired with a video clip of a harsh Michigan winter transitioning into warm beach days and vibrantly lush forests. While we're ardent winter supporters, we also acknowledge the additional resiliency required for an outdoor enthusiasts to thrive in the bitter cold of a true Detroit winter. Yes, even Team Expedition Detroit admits to romanticizing warm summer days when we're trekking through bone-chilling conditions. Well, if Michigan truly "rewards" you, then April's warmth represents the first gift of the season. Within an hour or two of arising from your tent, the warm spring sun will revitalize your spirit for long miles on the trail. You'll enjoy your snacks sitting on a moss patch or log in full sunlight, basking in its energizing rays. If you're lucky, you might even get to cool off in a refreshing stream or lake after a hot day on the trail. 5. ENJOYMENT OF COOL NIGHTS AT THE CAMPGROUND Cooler nights are ideal for enjoying roaring campfires and restorative sleep Not to undermine the last point, but April backpacking also carries the gift of cool - sometimes crisp - nights at camp. Yes, colder nights are indeed a backpacker's best friend. Allow me to explain through a personal tale of woe. Eleven years ago, I planned a road trip on a budget back from a friend's wedding in Colorado. Rather than paying for another roadside hotel, I opted to book a campsite in rural Missouri in July. While en route to said campsite, I noticed that the outside thermometer hit 110ºF while in Kansas. I watched with a fool's hope as the temperature barely dropped as the sun began to set. By the time we reached our destination, the heat had relented to a respectable 104ºF. Safe to say zero sleep was obtained that night. Scientific studies consistently report that the optimal room temperature for sleeping is between 60º and 67ºF. While April's nighttime temperatures typically dip well below this range, it's worthwhile to note that a quality sleeping bag is rated for temperatures well below "optimal range." Stated differently, ideal "backpacking nighttime temperature" for market backpacking gear is more like 40sº-50sº since your sleep system should account for the 15-20º temperature difference. You guessed it: those nighttime temperature ranges are typical for April in Metro Detroit. Approach towards Prospect Hill - one of the famous "5 Summits" of Metro Detroit hiking. 6. BEST VISIBILITY FOR WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS Minimal fresh growth means panoramic views - even when in thick conditions " Wow, I had no idea Metro Detroit looked like THIS?! " That line could easily serve as another tag line for marketing Expedition Detroit's guided hiking tours - especially during "off-season" conditions between November and May. Alright , fine - the truth is that we hear exclamations like that every month of the year. But the cooler temperatures of the off-season months provide exceptionally good photography, wildlife spotting, and landscape viewing opportunities simply due to the lack of foliage. While our trails are renown for their beautifully dense coverage and brilliant fall colors, "stick season" conditions unveil the dramatic contours of our region's moraine ridge lines, flowing creeks and streams, inspiring high point vistas, and abundant wildlife. April represents the "last month standing" for these pristine visibility conditions before Metro Detroit's thick forest coverage subdues them. Don't miss your opportunity to enjoy our resident vistas while backpacking this month! 7. EARLY SEASON TRAINING FOR LONGER "PEAK SEASON" TRIPS Executing a shorter, early season backpacking trip provides excellent training for longer adventures later in the year Let's start with an objective truth: Metro Detroit has adventure-worthy destinations that, despite our best efforts, remain overlooked by the mainstream outdoor community. Fortunately that narrative is rapidly changing, and we will continue to promote and create world-class outdoor adventure opportunities while the rest of the world catches on. That being said, the wide world of adventure has terrain that is objectively more challenging than our local confines. I've spent most of my adult life utilizing the Detroit region's most rugged trails as idyllic training grounds for other, "Peak Season" trips. From the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail to Peru's Inca Trail, Mt. Kanzer to Mt. Kilimanjaro, backpacking Metro Detroit's trails in early season conditions has proven to be a trusted training routine for conquering some of the world's most difficult backpacking feats later in the year. 8. EXPERIENCE THE SPRING BLOOM ON THE TRAIL April backpacking provides the rare opportunity to experience spring's first blooms in the heart of nature My favorite Earth Day occurred on April 22nd, 2023. I awoke to the gentle patter of rain on the roof of my trusted REI Camp Dome tent , a light-two person tent that I've carried on most of my backpacking adventures. Once the rain subsided, I emerged to find that, as expected, I remained the sole inhabitant of Waterloo Recreation Area's "Pines" backcountry campsite from the day before. Thirty minutes later and a full breakfast stored efficiently in my belly, I embarked on a full 24 hours of uninterrupted indulgence in nature through Waterloo's "high country." Over 12 miles of trekking through the heart of the park, including summiting "Prospect Hill," one of Metro Detroit's "Five Summits" and the highest point of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. The best part of this full day on the trail, though? The bloom - spring's annual adoration of Metro Detroit's wildest places in a colorful splendor that would even fill King Solomon with envy. Wildflowers danced eagerly along the trail, while the gentle green hue of miles upon beautiful miles of unspoiled woodlands just emerging from winter's slumber provided a hypnotic backdrop to nature's renaissance of vitality. Sunbeams glinted off of the morning's remaining rainfall on the nascent leaves. Bird songs filled the otherwise silent air. Everything felt new, and pure, and beautiful again. There's no psychedelic or therapeutic experience on the market that can rival such an immersion into the spring bloom. All that's required is nominal planning and maximum presence on Metro Detroit's backpacking trails during early spring - and especially in April. 9. OPPORTUNITY TO TEST "ALL SEASON" GEAR The variability of April backpacking near Detroit means you'll most likely be able to test the full spectrum of your backpacking kit. April showers do indeed bring May flowers - as well as the opportunity to test the full spectrum of your backpacking kit . If you've made it to this point of the article, then we're willing to bet that you've actually read the aforementioned points. Of the many themes to be extracted from those points, a main one includes that April backpacking near Detroit will throw the whole gamut of conditions at you. You could easily wake up with light snow on your tent, thaw out to scorching heat, quickly build your shelter under a downpour, and then fall asleep next to tranquil waters...only to wake up to more snow. Yes, that variability can be frustrating. But it also provides a rare opportunity to test the full spectrum of our backpacking kit on a condensed, early season trip. Trust me - it's a lot better to learn that your rain gear doesn't work when you're within an hour's drive from a local REI vs. 13 miles into the backcountry of Grand Teton National Park. If that sounds like an incredibly specific example, well, let's just say it was a lesson learned the hard way. Are you looking to test our hypothesis on why April is the best month for backpacking near Detroit? You're in luck - Expedition Detroit is proud to launch GUIDED BACKPACKING TRIPS along the Potawatomi Trail this April! Limited spots remain, so book now to start your spring backpacking adventure through the best of Metro Detroit's outdoors!

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition journeys to the Detroit region's northernmost destination - Holly Recreation Area - and its quintessential Wilderness Trail Loop . We invite you to explore this oasis of wilderness on our metropolitan frontier! "Wilderness in Oakland County - alright, I definitely need to check this one out." Those were my thoughts as I first read about Holly Recreation Area's famous " Wilderness Trail Loop " in Jim DuFresne's 50 Hikes in Michigan guidebook, and admittedly, I was skeptical. Don't get me wrong, I was practically praying for the "wilderness" designation to hold true, but come on... Holly Recreation Area is located in Oakland County and bisected by I-75, one of the premiere commercial corridors of the entire State of Michigan. Could this trail really hold up to its name? How does one even define " wilderness "? The WILD Foundation has provided the most immediate definition available on Google: " Wilderness " is " the most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet – those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with roads, pipelines or other industrial infrastructure ." " Those last truly wild places ." We at Expedition Detroit love that shorthand version of the definition, because it denotes a sense of scarcity to the nature of wilderness. Yes, the stunningly vast and untamed mountainous regions Out West undoubtedly qualify as wilderness. But under this definition, so does those hundreds of acres of forest that our forefathers decided were worth preserving in their God-ordained state, free from the scourge of development that the coming decades would unleash around them. Those sanctuaries that have become vital component's of North America's fight against a mental health epidemic . Those trails where you can just be in your natural state. Yes: we're relieved to report that the Wilderness Trail Loop qualifies as a bona fide wilderness area. A truly wild place where you can explore free from developed society's omnipresence. It's our pleasure to reintroduce Holly Recreation Area and its most beloved trail now. MEET HOLLY RECREATION AREA The formal history of Holly Recreation Area dates back towards the end of the Second World War . As hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors, and pilots started to return from the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific, those men also brought back an unprecedented interest and experience with outdoor recreation due to their military training, outdoor gear, and newfound leisure time afforded to them by postwar prosperity. From the mid-1940s on, this booming interest in America's outdoor spaces prompted an explosion in the development and protection of Federal, state, and community parks. Holly Recreation Area and its 8,007 protected acres resulted from that interest . In 1944, the preliminary boundaries of Holly State Recreation Area were established and the park officially opened in 1948. The development of picnic areas, campgrounds, and structural facilities continued into the 1950s, including the establishment of Mt. Holly Ski Area (before its transfer to private ownership in 1966). The park's size continued to grow well into the 1980s as the Michigan Department of Conservation acquired approximately 3,500 additional acres straddling both sides of I-75. Nearly 80 years since its establishment, the Holly Recreation Area of today still maintains its defining rolling woodlands and open fields for endless outdoor recreational opportunities. The recreation area has evolved into a generational destination for hiking, camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing, boating, and hunting. As of recent years, the park has also become increasingly sought-after for mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Nonetheless, hiking still remains Holly Rec.'s most popular recreational activity, with 66% of park visitors exploring its forests and grasslands on foot. And - you guessed it - the Wilderness Trail Loop represents Holly Recreation Area's most revered hiking route. Let's get to the trail.

Sixty years of POTO! In honor of the Potawatomi Trail's anniversary, we retraced the bootprints and tire marks of generations of Detroit's greatest outdoor enthusiasts along one of our region's most beloved trails. "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." This quote from tennis player Arthur Ashe is beautiful in its simplicity and applicability. Whether you're building a business, strengthening a relationship, or just conjuring the motivation to get out of bed, sometimes trying to chart the ideal route for tackling life's most daunting challenges can be overwhelming. Especially when viewed in the aggregate. A group of Detroit-based outdoor enthusiasts had a major life obstacle of their own about 70 years ago. In the post-WWII era, Michigan as a whole - and especially Metro Detroit - experienced a boom in interest in outdoor recreation. In the 20 year period following the end of the war, Michigan gained 29 state parks and recreation areas, 11 of which were established in Southeast Michigan within a two year period. As we all know, an explosion of Michigan state parks and recreation areas weren't the only "boom" occurring in the post-war era. Michigan's population grew nearly 50% in the same timeframe, leading to a particularized emergence of youth interest in outdoor recreation. There was only one problem: accessible backpacking trails. Believe it or not, the Detroit region's Boy Scouts were largely leaving the state in the 1950s in order find "suitable hiking trails" for scouts to practice their skills within. So, in 1957 - inspired by the founding of the Chief Pontiac Trail in Oakland County - the Boy Scouts of Michigan petitioned the State of Michigan to build a designated hiking loop trail in the region. After years of negotiations, the Potawatomi Trail was formally approved by the State and the Portage Trail Council Boy Scouts of America in early 1962. The trail officially opened two years later on May 23, 1964 at about 12 miles in length. Over the next 60 years, its expansion to 17.6 miles included the construction of multiple bridges, steel markers, countless Eagle Scout projects, and 52 years of fundraising hikes to raise over $250,000. More importantly, "Poto" inspired both the flourishing of Detroit's backpacking community, including the later construction of and integration within the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, and its mountain biking faithful. In honor of Poto's 60th anniversary, we set out on 2024's inaugural Expedition Detroit backpacking trip to retrace the bootprints of generations of Detroit-based outdoor enthusiasts. What we (re)discovered were flourishing forests, wide open trails, spacious campgrounds, crisp waterways, and a crackling fire. It's our pleasure to report that the 60-year dream of creating a destination for Detroit-region backpacking is alive and well. It's our privilege to reintroduce Pinckney State Recreation Area and the Potawatomi Trail now. EXPERIENCE THE POTAWATOMI TRAIL FIRSTHAND ON A BACKPACKING TRIP WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT! MEET PINCKNEY STATE RECREATION AREA The modern history of Pinckney State Recreation Area dates back to our last ice age. Truly - the park's dramatic moraines and kettle lakes that our regional recreationists love to hike, bike, hunt, and fish were formed within the Jackson Interlobate Range as the glaciers receded across the Great Lakes region ~10,000 years ago. Pinckney's recorded history, however, starts in the 1830s when George Reeves spearheaded the development of nearby (and obscure tourism favorite) Hell, Michigan. The land under the Reeves family's gradually grew until 1924, when the Reeves decided to sell it to a Detroit-based investment group which established a summer resort in the area. The State of Michigan finally acquired rights to the land in 1943 before formally establishing Pinckney State Recreation Area in 1944. The Pinckney of 2024 constitutes a paradise for the Detroit region's most rugged, comprehensive, and sought-after destinations for outdoor recreation. Outfitted with two of Metro Detroit's pristine backpacking trails - the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail and the Potawatomi Trail - on top of hundreds of miles of hiking, running, biking, and equestrian trails, Pinckney may take the prize as our region's top trail destination. Just within the Expedition Detroit content universe, Pinckney has claimed coveted places on lists including best stargazing opportunities, top-rated campgrounds, and crowd-favorite mountain biking and hiking trails. Oh, and we haven't even touched on the park's paddling, fishing, hunting, and snowshoeing opportunities yet. Now let's get to one of Pinckney's crown jewels: the Potawatomi Trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 17.7 miles Elevation Gain: 2,083 feet Trail Rating: Moderate-Advanced Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Parking available at Silver Lake Trailhead (northernmost parking lot; Michigan Recreation Pass required for parking) Any trip out to Pinckney State Recreation Area - and especially the Potawatomi Trail - should never be attempted on a time-budget. For starters, just arriving at the Silver Lake Trailhead will invite you to linger along the beachfront as you take in the panoramic views of Silver Lake. They're truly stunning, and on a warm summer's day you could understandably spend all day just there. But you're not here for the beach - you're here to conquer one of the Detroit region's "Triple Crown" trails of backpacking, the Potawatomi Trail. So, in order to minimize the siren call of Silver Lake, we recommend parking as close to the Potawatomi Trail's origination point as possible. Head to the northernmost section of the massive Silver Lake parking lot, locate the ornate, hand-crafted trail map sign depicted below, and hit the trail without looking back. Silver Lake Trailhead DAY 1: Silver Lake Trailhead to Blind Lake Campground Mileage: 10.8 miles Elevation Gain: 1,207 ft. The trail marker signs are fairly weathered throughout the hike, but fortunately this section of the time-tested Potawatomi Trail is very easy to follow due to its year-round popularity. From the trailhead, start by heading 0.2 miles across an expansive boardwalk and parallel to the southern shore of Silver Lake. There are a few pristine photo-op turnouts along this stretch - feel free to turn off on one and snap away to your heart's content (the cover photo for this article was captured at one of those side trails). At the 0.2 mile marker, turn right at the dead-end to continue along the "hiking route." If you're biking the Potawatomi Trail, then turn left at this juncture. From this point, you will hike exactly 1 mile to the Potawatomi Trail's highest point. The steepest grade comprises of an 11% incline at the 0.6 mile marker, but otherwise you will thoroughly enjoy the brilliant foliage and increasing views that radiate stronger as you trek steadily closer to the trail's peak at 1,009 feet. You'll know that you're near the top when the terrain becomes slightly more arid and sandy. A bench waits to reward you for your 0.8 miles of consistent climbing. The Potawatomi Trail's "Peak Bench" While your initial descent from "The Peak" only lasts 0.2 miles before another short climb, the relatively steep descent that follows provides a portal to one of the most beautiful and segments of the Potawatomi Trail. You may be able to catch glimpses of Crooked Lake to the south, but don't miss the wildlife viewing opportunity as you cross over two of the lake's tributary streams. The next 0.8 miles of "marshland hiking" will be the first of several distinct marsh habitats that you will traverse during your backpacking adventure. If you are hiking in the "off-season," i.e. early November through early May, then congrats, you will not experience any discomfort during these segments. However, if you are a warm-weather hiker that has decided to conquer Poto during the summer months, then we strongly suggest applying ample insect repellant and treating your clothing with permethrin. Let's just say that mosquitos love the Potawatomi Trail just as much as you do... At 2.2 miles into your hike, you will finally diverge from Pinckney's other famous trail - the Crooked Lake Trail - to head north on only Poto towards Hi-Land Lake. The next 1.4 miles consist of gently rolling terrain through old growth forest. The suspended bridge at the 2.9 mile marker (featured in the cover photo) provides impressive views of the ravine below, and don't miss the fantastic panoramas of Hi-Land Lake to your east as you trek half a mile along its bank. EXPLORE THE CROOKED LAKE TRAIL WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT! After crossing the Portage River Bridge, your journey heads north over a series of hills towards the northernmost segment of the entire Potawatomi Trail. Depending on the time of year that you're hiking the trail, this is one of the best zones of Pinckney for experiencing colors - either brilliant wildflowers or vibrant fall leaves. Our trip in late-May was decorated with beautiful pinks, purples, and whites of pedals in full bloom. Towering pines mark the end of the "wildflower zone" and start of the "extreme zone." What we mean is that, especially for our resident mountain bikers, recent trail renovations starting at roughly the 4 mile marker have transformed this section of Poto into a "flowy" mountain biking paradise, complete with jumps and obstacles to switch-up your ride. Fun for backpackers too, don't worry - but mountain bikers will especially enjoy this section south of Patterson Lake Road. North of Patterson Lake Rd., you'll hike through 3.7 miles of uninterrupted woodlands, wetlands, and wildflowers. This segment features one of the longest prolonged climbs of ~80ft. over half a mile, plateauing along the trail's northernmost fence line. For me, this stretch felt somewhat isolated and eery - but in a fun way. As if I had stumbled upon the set of Stranger Things, expecting to catch a glimpse of some creature or experiment-gone-wrong on the other side of the fence. A fatiguing mind can truly wander when you're packing miles upon miles into a solo trek. For better or for worse, the only "creature" that I saw in these northwoods was a raccoon scurrying up a tree, trying its best to mitigate my intrusion into his home. Guess I was the strangest thing wandering through the woods that evening. Fence line north of Patterson Lake Road The last 2.6 miles of your first day on Poto consist largely of a SW direct trajectory towards Portage River. Well, unless you're me and fall for the unmarked "Potawatomi Trail Shortcut" that appears at roughly mile marker 8.7. I'm not sure whether a mountain biking race or similar event had just occurred days before my thru-hike, but there were vibrant markings on the trail that appeared more like a trail detour vs. a completely distinct route. After failing to heed similar markings on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail a year prior, I turned left at these markings. While a scenic pasture along this route was a nice discovery, my mishap ended up adding about half a mile to an already long afternoon on the trail... So, if you're looking to add mileage to either your thru-hike or trail run, sure, a quick excursion along the Poto Trail Shortcut might be worth it. Otherwise, keep right at the neon tape. The Potawatomi Trail Shortcut junction. For the main Poto Trail, keep right. Day 1's final test hits at right at the 10 mile marker. By this point, you've covered over 90% of your allotted mileage. You've climbed over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. You just crossed the gorgeous Portage River - maybe even had a conversation with the paddlers or fishers hanging out just below the boardwalk bridge. You're ready for a relaxing campfire beside Blind Lake. Scratch that - you've earned it. Don't kick the boots off yet, friend. You still have to conquer the steepest ascent of the entire Potawatomi Trail: a root and rock-filled 10% incline climb to the second-highest elevation of the entire trail (980 ft.). Yes, this is a little sadistic to hit at this point in the itinerary. But, as Sir Isaac Newton so famously penned, "What goes up must come down." Your climb will be promptly rewarded with an extensive descent - including a 13% decline grade - that finishes with a water pump station and, finally, your arrival at Blind Lake Campground. Overnight: Blind Lake Campground Number of Sites: 10 Arrival: Hike-In or Bike-In Reservable Dates: Year-Round Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees Let's get to the point: Blind Lake is consistently ranked as the #1 backcountry campground in the Detroit region. Located along the western rim of the Potawatomi Trail, the main allure of Blind Lake stems from its isolation from any main trailhead within Pinckney Recreation Area or its surrounding parks. Any arrival at Blind Lake is earned either by boot or pedal, so your night spent under the brilliant stars and by the lapping waves will be free of headlights and slamming car doors. Blind Lake's solitude is further enhanced by the gracious amount of space allocated between the sites, therefore ensuring as much privacy as a camper could ever hope for - especially when camping in the dead of winter. The campground is outfitted with a vault toilet, hand-pump water access, and fire rings. Only dead and downed timber are to be used for firewood. Advanced reservation required to book a site. DAY 2: Blind Lake Campground to Silver Lake Mileage: 6.9 miles Elevation Gain: 876 ft. You awake on Day 2 to bird songs, lapping waves, and the faint smell of last night's campfire. The temperature? Perfect. Your legs? rested. Most of the mileage? Behind you. A few more hours of adventure? Waiting at the trail. After packing up your gear and being sure to Leave No Trace at Blind Lake, we have one final pro-tip for you: use the rustic toilet before hitting the trail. No joke. The Blind Lake rustic toilet was the cleanest one that I have ever experienced in a Michigan state park - maybe any park. Granted, I was the only one at the campground that morning, but the point stands. If the DNR ranger that cares for that toilet is reading this article, you have Expedition Detroit's full endorsement for demanding a raise. Water pump at Blind Lake Campground After refilling your squeeze-filtered water bottle at the Blind Lake Campground's pump station, you're ready to hit the trail. Side note - if you don't have a squeeze-filtered bottle yet, treat yourself to one. In our opinion, they are one of the best backcountry inventions since solar chargers. Light, durable, and overwhelmingly practical for easy access to filtered water. For anyone who has thru-hiked the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail before, Day 2 on Poto will seem quite familiar. As in all but the 0.2 miles ascending from Blind Lake to the main trail corresponds 100% with the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. For me, this brought back a sense of nostalgia for my first Detroit region thru-hike a year prior. I also realized that I had zero memory of this segment of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, seeing as it hit towards the tail end of a 14 mile death march, in the rain, and after logging 30+ miles and 2 nights on the trail. So it was nice to experience the final 6+ miles of both Poto and the WPT fresh. The first three miles of Day 2 consist of three notable hills as you make your way east. Hill #3 is the steepest at a 14% incline grade, although each of these should be child's play with your fresh legs and slightly lighter pack. Instead of focusing on the trail, we'd instead encourage you to use this segment for wildlife viewing - especially if you've managed to get an early start on the day. The 1.3 miles between Blind Lake and Dead Lake are some of the most densely forested stretches of the entire Potawatomi Trail, including panoramic views along the trail's ridge lines even during peak summer months. Deer, birds, rabbits, raccoons, and other woodland critters absolutely love environments like this - especially in the early morning or late afternoon. Your odds of seeing exciting wildlife also increase dramatically if solo hiking. Feel free to slow your pace, forest bathe in the vibrant greens of the morning sun on the trees, and purposefully enjoy these miles. Point of the "Hiker's Dilemma" Mile Marker 13.8: The "Hiker's Dilemma." In our opinion, this is the single hardest point of both the Potawatomi and Waterloo-Pinckney Trails. "Integrity Point" would be another suitable name. Why? Because the Silver Lake Trailhead - the final destination for both trail - waits directly northeast of this point along the appropriately named "Silver Lake Trail." You, on the other hand, are tasked with following the blue-blaze markers in the exact opposite direction. An additional 3.3 miles into the heart of Pinckney's southeastern-most region, winding through forested glades, spacious pines, and a massive clearing cut for power lines. If you have the mental fortitude, try to slow down and enjoy these final miles of the trail. It can be tempting to rush - I may or may not have fallen victim to such temptations on this outing - but the final stretches of the Potawatomi Trail guide you through some of the least-visited areas of all of Pinckney State Recreation Area. The Terminus of the Potawatomi and Waterloo-Pinckney Trails You'll rejoin the Silver Lake Trail at mile marker 17.1, after conquering "Final Climb Hill" near Silver Hill Road. From this point, other then a brief "swirl" in the trail, you'll have a direct line of sight towards the terminus of both the Potawatomi and Waterloo-Pinckney Trails. Now, and only now, may you enjoy the cool waters of Silver Lake. You've earned it. EXPLORE THE PINCKNEY RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT! Want to experience a guided hike on Pinckney Recreation Area's trails? Look no further! Book your next guided outdoor adventure with Expedition Detroit today! The #TrailTuesday Series idea started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast network. One of our main goals for this platform is to produce content that reflects the outdoor interests and desires of our community, so please continue to provide us with your suggestions via our contact form or here in the comments! This article contains affiliate links pertaining to certain referenced products.

April means spring, and spring means the return of prime time in Detroit's outdoors! As our trails, campgrounds, and waterways reopen for the masses, these " Top Ten Outdoor Events " will serve as your guide for navigating this month's super-bloom of recreation opportunities - APRIL 2026 EDITION . Congratulations! If you're reading this, then you've successfully survived March , the purgatory of outdoor recreation in the Detroit region. Not quite winter. Not quite spring. Just... March . A turn of the calendar may not feel like much, but for the majority of outdoor enthusiasts in the Great Lakes, April 1st marks "Opening Day" for the great migration back to our trails. Hiking, trail running, backpacking, cycling, mountain biking, paddling, canoe camping ...even hunting is back on the agenda for April. Yes, you should probably acquire some rain gear and waterproof boots. But our wild places will be fully-open for business again this month, which is absolutely worth celebrating . In anticipation of the new world of outdoor opportunities opening up tomorrow, we sifted through the deluge of experiences to curate this list of the "Top Ten Outdoor Events near Detroit" for April 2026. We can't wait to see you all again on the trails this spring! 1. Experience the Best of "April in the D" at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center Throughout April | Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit, Michigan This is NOT an April Fool's joke : spring has FINALLY arrived in the Detroit region, and there's no better way to experience the very best of "April in the D" than at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center! This month, the Detroit Riverfront staple is hosting a litany of outdoor recreation-related events to celebrate the return of "peak outdoor season" in Metro Detroit. Here's a breakdown of our favorites: April 8th: " Explore Archery " program that will give participants the opportunity to learn to safely handle a bow, learn proper stance and shoot several arrows. April 12th:  " Farm and Garden Expo " where participants can get up close to farm animal friends and have a field day exploring the OAC, meeting partner organizations, and growing their knowledge about all things farm and garden. April 18th: " Pheasant of Detroit " film showing, exhibits, and guided walk along Milliken State Park in search of "the unofficial city bird of Detroit." April 25th: " Trails Expo " featuring local experts in hiking, biking, paddling and more. Learn tips and tricks for hitting the trails, then test out your skills in hands-on workshops. 2. Hunt for Eggs at the Easter Egg Scramble April 4th   | Lake Erie Metropark | 10 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. As legendary outdoorsman Elmer Fudd so eloquently once stated, "It's wabbit season!" Well... it's Easter Bunny season, and more specifically Easter Egg hunting season at Lake Erie Metropark this Saturday, April 4th! The fine folks at Lake Erie Metropark invite you and the whole family to attend one of their " Easter Egg Scramble " events, where egg hunting enthusiasts of all ages can enjoy festive crafts, games, and more! Both "Egg Scramble" events will start indoors and end outdoors. The official egg hunt will be conducted in the Tot-Lot area near the Lake Erie Food Bar. Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. on April 3rd. Photo courtesy of Fleet Feet 3. Seize the Day - and Night - at the Carpe Diem/Noctem Trail Race April 11th | Proud Lake State Recreation Area | 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The ice has thawed . The trails are (eventually) drying. The birds, blooms, and beauty of spring in Michigan's state parks and recre ation areas are starting to return to full strength. Now is the PERFECT time to run Proud Lake's famous trails that you've missed all winter long! So perfect that you should run them twice... in the same day ...as your first trail race of the season. That's the hypothesis of the " Carpe Diem - Noctem " 10K and half-marathon trail race events, and we absolutely dig it. This dual time/multiple event extravaganza offers a variety of racing options for runners looking to burn up Proud Lake's loops for both their morning and evening runs. Plus, finishers will get to add one of the most unique medals that we've ever seen to their collection. Yeah, we're sold. EXPLORE PROUD LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT 4. Run Out of this World at the Martian Invasion of Races April 11th | Dearborn, Michigan | 7:15 a.m. Once a year, Dearborn literally becomes the center of the universe : the destination for an intergalactic coalition of Earthlings and Martians. Each jumping to hyperspeed for cosmic journeys of 5K to full marathon -length expeditions. Regardless of whether you will be embarking on that all-important "one small step" for your fitness journey, or a "giant leap" towards conquering your distance running goals, the Martian Invasion of Races has an event for every outdoor - and outer space - enthusiast. 5. Fight Back Against Invasive Species at a DNR Volunteer Workday April 11th | Bald Mountain State Recreation Area | 9:00 a.m. Winter provides a double-edged sword when it comes to the beautification of our favorite outdoor spaces. On one hand, the clean slate of a fresh blanket of snow provides postcard-worthy images of untainted beauty. On the other hand, that deep powder covers a vast ecosystem of invasive plant species, which wait patiently until spring's revival to renew their assault on our wild spaces. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're entering the latter of those two circumstances now. Fortunately for all outdoor enthusiasts, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has organized an official " Volunteer Stewardship Workday " to remove garlic mustard that threatens to take over Bald Mountain State Recreation Area's valuable woodland. Long-sleeve shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended. Register by emailing Anna Cone at conea1@michigan.gov . 6. Get in the Woods for Opening Day of Turkey Season April 18th | Throughout Michigan Turkeys in April...? For non-hunters, this inclusion likely strikes you as an out-of-place callback to fall foliage, unavoidable family arguments, and the Lions' push towards a playoff berth ( this seas on for sure ). For hunters, April is primetime to get back into the woods for spring turkey season . In the Detroit region, opening day officially kicks off at 6:16 a.m. on the 18th. Beyond the recreational enjoyment and plentiful harvest that turkey season entails, we also wanted to highlight the immense conservation value of regulated turkey hunting - often dubbed the " Greatest Conservation Success Story. " When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, only 1.3 million wild turkeys remained in the continent. Now, after 50+ years of careful conservation and management, there are approximately 7 million wild turkeys throughout North America . Science-backed conservation works, and we at Expedition Detroit are proud to support it. Both by getting in the woods and through our direct involvement with the Michigan Wildlife Council . We hope that join us in conserving Michigan's cherished wildlife this spring! Learn More about the Michigan Wildlife Council 7. Celebrate Spring in the Mitten at the Michigan Made Half Marathon April 18th | Milford, Michigan | 8 a.m. Michigan - the " Great Trails State " - is built for runners. From paved routes to backcountry trails, our state ha s been reimagined as a logistical paradise for runners of all genres. Especially right here in the Detroit region, where our network of interconnected trails continues to flourish like wildflowers in spring . Sounds like something worth celebrating, right? Our #ExpeditionPartner Running Venture  agrees - and has designed the perfect racing event for celebrating the art of running Michigan's trails. This month don't miss Running Venture's " Michigan Made " Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K event! Celebrating "all things Michigan," the races start at Central Park in Milford and run the paved Milford/Kensington Trail, as well as the dirt back roads in Milford before finishing back at Central Park. All participants will receive a custom race shirt, finisher medal, and complimentary refreshments. SAVE 15% ON YOUR RACE REGISTRATION WITH CODE " 15EXPDET26 "! 8. Backpack the Famous Potawatomi Trail with Expedition Detroit! April 18-19th   | Pinckney State Recreation Area | 10 a.m.   FINALLY! Team Expedition Detroit is ECSTATIC to finally launch our guided backpacking trips this April, starting with an ~18 mile loop of our regions first backpacking trail: the Potawatomi Trail ! This overnight adventure will include a stay at scenic Blind Lake Campground - largely regarded as the most sought-after backcountry campsite in Southeast Michigan. With a small group size, easy pacing, engaging terrain, and lakeside sunset, this will be an unforgettable adventure for first-time backpackers and intrepid explorers alike. YOUR POTO BACKPACKING ADVENTURE STARTS HERE! 9. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve April 18th   | Point Pelee National Park | 7:30 p.m.   The days may finally be getting lighter, but the stars at Point Pelee National Park  - one of the best stargazing destination in the Detroit region  - are still shining as bright as ever!  Point Pelee's " Dark Sky Nights " are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave near-freezing temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos.    This event also corresponds with " International Dark Sky Week " occurring across the Great Lakes region during April 13th through 20th! This week represents the perfect time to go stargazing and learn about the importance of the night sky. 10. Kick Off Trail Racing Season at THE Trail Marathon April 26th | Pinckney State Recreation Area | 8:00 a.m. In full transparency, this may be the single event that we're most looking forward to this month for a few very subjective reasons . First, the " Road End 5-Mile " event was the first trail race that I ever completed and fundamentally changed my love, appreciation, and understanding of trail running. Second, " Trail Marathon " formally kicks off RF Events' " GOAT Trail Series ," a season-long trail running series where runners collect points to compete for a prestigious "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) title. Our trail running team has a ton of fun - and found some extra running motivation - while participating in the past four series. We'll s ee you all at the official starting line of the 2026 trail season! EXPLORE PINCKNEY STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.