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Detroit's snow may have disappeared this month, but don't worry - ski season isn't over yet! Fortunately there are plenty of premiere winter destinations within driving distance of the Motor City where the lifts are still running. Check out these 5 world-class ski resorts driving distance from Detroit to close out your ski season! Here's a forgetful fact: March is predominantly a winter month. For our community of hikers, paddlers, and mountain bikers, that's certainly not a welcomed reminder. In fact, we'd be willing to bet that spring's unseasonably warm arrival has been a blessing to the senses for you. For our cold weather faithful - the powder seekers, groomer rippers, and snow-covered trail aficionados - winter's abrupt exit from the Detroit region has been jarring to say the least. As I type these words, ALL of Detroit's " Big Four Ski Resorts " have shuttered for the season ( Alpine Valley and Pine Knob , the last two standing, closed for the season today ). Did this year's El Niño winter deliver a bust for Detroit's snow recreational opportunities? Yes - a definitive yes. However, contrary to popular belief, winter did actually arrive to the Great Lakes region , and some areas received generously more snow than others. So much so that certain resorts remain open into mid-March. That's right, friends: #SkiSZN in the Great Lakes isn't 100% over yet . Looking to squeeze one final ski trip into the 2024 season? You've come to the right place - here are 5 premiere ski resorts near Detroit where you can still capitalize on late winter skiing and snowboarding opportunities:

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This week finds us winding our way through a wooded retreat in the heart of Livonia, Michigan. Rotary Park Nature Preserve is a well-loved community hub offering a plethora of outdoor activities for any season. Join us as we experience an enchanting escape into the Rotary Park Loop! "You can't judge a book by its cover." This well-known proverb, generally accepted as a universal truth, can easily be coupled with another: "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," or better yet that "beauty is always found by those who look for it." The main takeaway is that there's always magic and wonder to be found in seemingly simple places or moments. Take our hike for today: a small park, hemmed in by a concrete grid of roads and sidewalks. A trail length of comparatively short distance, no challenging climbs to scenic vistas. You may ask, how could this small trail be worth a visit? Well, in this simple shady oasis, these trails unfold into a place of beauty and tranquility. A refreshing reset, a literal breath of fresh air. It's unassuming, but the central location and smaller size lend themselves to perfect accessibility and convenience. On a personal level, when those stressful days just beg for a quick escape to the woods, this is my go-to getaway. So we're glad you're here, to follow along on a delightful and enchanting walk through this not-so-hidden treasure. Away we go, to Livonia - and into the wood! MEET ROTARY PARK This gem of a park is a well-loved destination for Livonia locals and the surrounding metro cities alike. Rotary Park's 195 acres provide the perfect spot for a meet up with a friend, a competitive workout on the tennis courts, or a relaxing picnic. Bring the kids, bring the puppers because this place has something fun for everyone. The amenities list is impressive, including a half-mile paved walking loop winds through the front half of the park passing sand volleyball courts, copses of trees offer the perfect hammock perch, and the city's first universally accessible playground! Picnic shelters are available to rent for birthday parties or family reunions, and of course no party would be complete without some friendly horse shoe or bocce ball competition. Follow the road to the back of the park, peer past the baseball fields and you will see the forest loom large and inviting! HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 1.6 mi Elevation Gain: 32 ft Trail Rating: Easy Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Parking available next to the trail head, free entry The trailhead of the Rotary Park Nature Preserve is located on the back left corner of the baseball fields, and there is plenty of parking (click here for a handy map). Dogs are welcome on the trails, but they must be leashed. The preserve is bursting with wildlife, so best to avoid any chase scenes! Something to keep in mind as you begin your trek - while this article follows the main perimeter loop, the defining features of this preserve are the meandering trails and unlimited ways to extend a hike. So come with your sense of exploration engaged and don't be afraid wander a bit and find your own favorite routes! It must be noted, as Rotary Park Nature Preserve is home to many delicate native plants, be sure to practice Leave No Trace principles and only stick to the designated trails. To paint a mental picture of this expedition, the main trail follows an oval loop. A small creek separates the front and back sections - the front half providing wider, rather straight shot trails that are fun to navigate thanks to Eagle Scout Adam Katers, who provided us with awesome trail markers and a convenient scan and go map. The back half is wilder and winding, full of enticing paths and engaging terrain. You won't find any trail markers back here, explorer mode locked and loaded! Tarabusi Creek provides the boundary line for the back of the preserve. The sounds of the city fade away as we begin our hike on the west perimeter of the preserve. Last year's wind storms took their toll on the older trees, but the trails are kept clear and well maintained, leaving you free to keep an eye out for darting chipmunks and squirrels who use the downed trees as photogenic perches. Trail Marker 3 sits at our first fork in the road. To advance towards Rotary Park's wild backcountry across the creek, take the middle path. You will find yourself at Trail Marker 6, and a little wood plank bridge. Note: there are 3 points of crossing the creek, but today we'll only trek 2 of them - extra points for anyone who finds the last one! Now the fun begins. Paths narrow and weave closer around trees. Branches dip down and tunnels of vines lead around unknown bends. You will encounter multiple splits in the path, and while I have discovered my own favorite spots, I don't want to take away that element of discovery so, dear reader, the choice is up to you! That's something to appreciate about small parks - you can't get TOO lost. Depending on the season, you may come upon some muddy sections. Ok, sometimes it's more like mini quagmires, but the wet conditions do provide great exercise in strategic foot placement! It's also a good idea to bring bug spray in the spring and summer months, the mosquitoes can be brutal. As you curve around and hit the back boundary line, you will come upon a true scenic surprise! Now we did mention that the back of the park is hemmed in by a creek, but oh - it is more than that. A high ravine slopes down and spills into the peaceful, flowing Tarabusi Creek. And we had said there were no stunning vistas to be found! There is the option to follow a footpath that runs right alongside the creek shore, providing a therapeutic and engaging journey. We're about 1 mile in, and we are entering the homestretch of the loop. We will dip down to the lowest point of our hike, but the grade is so slight, to the tune of about 20 feet! Voila, the second plank bridge ushers us across the creek and brings us to Trail Marker 8. As we wind along these wider dirt trails, heading back towards the parking lot, houses start to appear along the tree line, giving us a gentle reintroduction to the hustle and bustle of city life. WEEKEND BONUS TIPS Livonia is home to many fun and varied attractions and delicious food offerings. Nothing says summertime like a soft serve cone from the famous red Han-D-Dip Dairy Barn. Be sure to check their schedule, as they are only open seasonally. Bate's Burgers always hits the spot for any burger cravings, serving a classic slider and chocolate milkshake combo. For those seeking that post-hike brewski, head over to Supernatural Brewing and Spirits for an exciting (and sometimes spooky) offering of craft beer and mead. Greenmead Historical Park transports us back to a time when this area was a thriving farming community. The park has become a safe haven for many local historic buildings that would have otherwise been demolished. They also host special annual events, like the Motor City Irish Fest and St. Andrew's Society of Detroit Highland Games. 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 is not an April Fool's joke! After years of purposeful investment in Michigan's recreational ecosystem, major publications are finally recognizing our state's emergence as a world-class outdoor destination. The best part? We're still just getting started. Photo courtesy of Outside Interactive, Inc. "Come on, Dan, Michigan just isn't Colorado..." Staring back at me with a slight grin on his face was one of my oldest mentors. I had just finished presenting the 30,000 ft. pitch of my latest business idea - a "TBD" project informally titled "Expedition Detroit" - for a small group of outdoor enthusiasts. Although he was merely playing devil's advocate, I can admit that he had a compelling argument. As if to accentuate his point, we were sitting in a rustic Colorado ranch with a 360º view of snowcapped mountains. We had spent the day riding ATVs through the San Isabel National Forest. Truly an adventurer's paradise. "Yeah, but Colorado also isn't Michigan." I turned to make eye contact with the only other Michigander presiding over our mini episode of "Shark Tank." A Grand Rapids-born, personal wellness coach that now resides near Colorado Springs. Our conversations about the outdoor opportunities in Michigan prompted this impromptu business discussion. She gave me a wink after delivering this rebuttal, as if to say "Don't worry - they have no idea what they're missing out on." DETROIT'S (FINALLY) ON THE OUTDOOR MAP Well friends, someone, somewhere, spilled the beans on America's best kept outdoor secret. Since that June 2022 discussion, Michigan - and the Detroit region specifically - has been featured in several high profile publications as a hotspot destination for sustainable travel. From the Detroit Riverwalk's three-peat title as USA Today's "Best Riverwalk in America" to Condé Nast Traveler naming Detroit as one of its "Best Places to Go 2024," the Motor City's headlines have been driving in the right direction. Our favorite aspect of these honors? They explicitly name Detroit's recreational ecosystem as a fundamental reason for the city's resurgence and arrival on the international tourism trail. The specifically-mentioned highlights include the Riverwalk's adjacent parks and natural areas, the highly-anticipated Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park project, and the region's general initiative to "give more Detroiters access to the outdoors." But wait, there's more! Just within the last two weeks, Outside Magazine - the most infallible media juggernaut on all matters outdoor adventure - delivered TWO MORE crowning titles to our region. First, Michigan's LOWER peninsula (yes, you read that correctly - the L.P.) was named one of Outside's "23 Best Places to Travel in 2024" for adventure travel. Here's their #1 reason for the Lower Peninsula's inclusion: The Detroit Riverwalk, the city’s crown jewel, now connects to nearby Belle Isle, the southern terminus of the nearly completed 2,000-mile Iron Belle Trail. The statewide project, with hiking and biking paths to the Upper Peninsula, is over 70 percent ready following new route additions in 2023. . . The expansion of the Detroit Riverwalk—a 3.5-mile riverfront promenade voted one of the nation’s most beautiful—means easier access to Belle Isle, a 982-acre park. EXPLORE BELLE ISLE PARK WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Don't worry, Yoopers - Outside gave you all plenty of fair credit within their supporting arguments for ALSO naming Michigan within its "8 Most Adventurous States in America," specifically claiming top prize in the Midwest. The listed "Wow Factors" include 13.6 million acres of public land, 1 national park, 2 national lakeshores, 103 state parks, 5,292 miles of hiking trails, 9,345 miles of mountain-bike trails, 3,288 miles of pure Great Lakes coastline, 51,438 miles of rivers, and 43 ski areas - the second most in the U.S. MAINTAINING MICHIGAN'S RECREATIONAL MOMENTUM As exhilarating as these recognitions are, anyone actively or recreationally involved in Michigan's outdoor ecosystem shouldn't be surprised by them. As early as 2011, Michigan shocked the recreational world by "Good Morning America" naming Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore the "Most Beautiful Place in America." The skiing world received a similar shock this past December when the U.P.'s Mount Bohemia was voted as the "No. 1 Ski Resort in North America" by USA Today. The truth is that decades of tireless, risky, and unassured hard work has been methodically invested into Michigan's outdoor industry. From large government bodies like the Department of Natural Resources and Huron-Clinton Metroparks to volunteer organizations like the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Motor City Mountain Biking Association, our parks, trails, and waterways have been meticulously cared for by countless service hours. Just like every other aspect of our great region, these accolades weren't bestowed upon us by chance. The Detroit region's outdoors, while stunningly beautiful, do not contain the postcard-ready vistas of snowcapped peaks, tropical beaches, or colorful deserts of America's "Instagram-ready" outdoor destinations. We have had to demonstrate grit in curating our environment: preserving our parks, re-envisioning our trails, healing our rivers, and repurposing our blighted spaces. All while enduring national stigmas so unjustly bequeathed to us. The end result of our region's perseverance? We get to enjoy an internationally-celebrated outdoor ecosystem located right here in our own backyards. The fruit of consistent investment into the recreational economy of "The Trails State." An increasingly more unified, collaborative, inclusive, and sustainable outdoor industry. This article is already jam-packed with feel good headlines, but one last one to leave you with: we're still only getting started. As underlined during the 2023 Michigan Outdoor Summit, our state's outdoor recreation leaders are dedicated to establishing Michigan as a national leader in inclusivity and connectivity initiatives. We are building proverbial bridges across communities through outdoor infrastructure and outreach initiatives, while simultaneously building actual bridges connecting world-class trail networks. If you're reading this and have volunteered any amount of time toward's Michigan's outdoor industry - from trail angels to ski patrol, community organizers to philanthropists - thank you. Sincerely, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your hard work is paying off. And we're here to support you every step of the way.

In honor of Earth Week, we embraced the challenge of thru-hiking the Detroit's region's most rigorous backpacking route: the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. This third and final installation of our Waterloo-Pinckney Trail series covers the entirety of the Pinckney section of the trail - 14 miles of challenges, triumphs, pain, and euphoria. "Hey Pops - it's gonna be another hour or so...sorry. Today's been a wild card." Those were probably the last words that my jet-lagged father wanted to hear as he waited patiently at the Silver Lake Trailhead in Pinckney Recreation Area, and he masked his reasonable annoyance, well, reasonably. In his defense, I explicitly said that I would be arriving at the trailhead around 4:30PM. I would blow that arrival time by nearly an hour. In my defense, I never planned on arriving that evening at all. Reddit reviews and relentless rain can have that effect on a perfectly-planned itinerary. Add an ambitious, adventurous, and borderline reckless outdoorsman spirit, and you end up with a 10K day turning into a half marathon+ expedition. At a personal record-pace for backpacking. If you're asking yourself "Why would you do that to yourself?", you're definitely not alone. I was asking myself the same question between miles 7 - 14 on Day 3. But at 8 a.m. - while waking up to yet another morning of rain pelting my tent fly - I simply couldn't stomach the thought of breaking down camp (in the rain), hiking a quick 6 miles (in the rain), setting up camp again (in the rain), and then potentially repeating the process all over again the following day. If it were another 20 miles to Silver Lake, then yes, I would have kept to the plan. But 14 miles...? I could push through. Especially with a boost from the intermittent presence of my brother James of Cooke Productions, my "documentary crew" for the first half of the day. "Alright," I said to myself as I looked back down the hill at Green Lake's Site #8 to confirm that I had left no trace. "No stopping now. The way is through. Let's get it!" THE WPT: GREEN LAKE CAMPGROUND TO SILVER LAKE Total Distance: 14.21 miles Elevation Gain: 1,454 feet Trail Rating: Moderate-Hard Route Orientation: Point-to-Point If you also opt to finish the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail from Green Lake Rustic Campground - hopefully with more foresight than a game-time decision - remember that your day will start with playing some mileage catch-up. From Site #8, this meant a 0.4 mile backtrack just to get to the main trail (mile marker 20.9 on the AllTrails map). I didn't mind since I knew that my brother was waiting at the trail's parking lot to start shooting, but you should be mentally prepared for this and a few other trail redirects that add extra mileage to your half-marathon day. Once back on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, we immediately climbed Riley Hill to reach the highest point of Day 3's elevation (1,040 feet). This climb will feel like child's play compared to the Survival Day's oscillating climbs, but at least take a moment to congratulate yourself on achieving this first micro-win on the day. My brother and I celebrated by abruptly getting passed on the trail by an ultra runner. I actually connected with this runner later via a Facebook SE Michigan trails group, who told me that he had started at Big Portage Lake 5 hours earlier... what a badass, and also the only other thru-hiker/trail runner that I crossed paths way during the entirety of my trek across the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. After a brief 0.1 mile descent down Riley Hill, you will be standing face-to-face with M-52. Here's an important navigational item to remember: ALLTRAILS IS NOT CURRENT WITH THE ACTUAL TRAIL ORIENTATION. At this point, turn left to follow the paved, brand-spanking-new Border to Border Trail northwest until you see a beautiful statute of a Native American woman and a tunnel under the highway. Thru-hiking treks across the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world have lots of strange "milestone traditions"; I don't know if there are any specifically associated with the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, but I decided to kiss this woman's feet as a sign of respect and blessing for safe passage into Pinckney State Recreation Area. I wouldn't classify myself as superstitious (just a littlestitious), but the hail that had been beating us for the last 20 minutes cleared up roughly 2 minutes after completing this act. Just saying... The M-52 Tunnel is literally and figuratively a rite of passage. For starters, after 20+ miles on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, you are finally saying goodbye to the climbs, lakes, campgrounds, and wilderness of Waterloo State Recreation Area. Your first steps back into daylight are simultaneously your first steps into Pinckney Rec, signaling that the finish line is within reach. You have successfully hiked through the entirety of one park, and now another is just beginning. More importantly, you have proven to yourself that you are a self-reliant thru-hiker. Net-net, you should be smiling ear-to-ear as you verge off of the paved B2B Trail and continue due east on a recently-cut straightaway trail. The straightway is largely a mile-long descent towards wetlands before a moderate climb due north. Normally I would've relaxed my pace on this straightaway, taking my time to enjoy the consistent terrain and early spring sights and sounds. But not today...in a perfect storm of inclement weather, doubled mileage, and a diminishing media shooting schedule, I needed to accelerate my pace. So, despite being about 24 miles total into my thru-hike, I jogged this part of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail to make up time. Which I knew that I would likely pay for later. At the 22.4 mile marker (as shown on the map above), you will actually leave Pinckney Rec to enter your third park of the journey: Park Lyndon County Park. The brief 1 mile passage through Park Lyndon may be the single most scenic and naturally-diverse mile along the entire trail. Starting in wetlands just east of Lake Genevieve, you quickly ascend to follow a hardwood-lined ridge through the park's southern section, complete with panoramic views to the southwest towards the lake. Once across N Territorial Road, you pass briefly through an open park area before descending into pine forest value - only to abruptly climb again to reach more ridge line panoramic vistas. To complete the full spectrum of Detroit region trail experiences, you'll finish this segment crossing boardwalks. Absolutely beautiful segment of the trail. Back in Pinckney Rec, the on-and-off boardwalks continue until you reach Embury Road at mile marker 24.1. The trail then returns to its normal form: gently rolling terrain that guides you alongside wetlands and under oak, maple, and other hardwood trees, as well as the occasional grassland meadow to permit the returning sunshine to reach your skin. I took some time to rest on a large log just west of Joslin Lake Rd. My brother brought a few trail beers with him, so I gave my legs a chance to recover after the sub-20 minute/mile pace that I had been maintaining with a heavy pack. He snapped this photo to capture the moment before leaving me to face the remaining 10 miles on the day. The first mile past Joslin Lake Road continued to be enjoyable, although the departure of my brother reminded me of the joys of hiking with another person - even if you only see them at intermittent road crossings. Past Hadley Road, however, I started to feel the cumulative effects of the past 48 hours, especially that morning's sprinted, hilly miles. The Pinckney Rec section of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail is comparatively much easier to traverse than Waterloo's climbs, but I squandered that topographic advantage via pushing my legs. Stated differently, I found myself in a world of hurt. My legs were aching, my calories all but depleted, that morning's companion had left, and I was squarely within one of the most isolated sections of the trail. I did not see another hiker, runner, or mountain biker during that 3.4 mile stretch of beautiful yet dense, isolating forest. The only non-wood geographic feature to break up the uniformity of the forest was - of course - Dead Lake. "The way is through," I kept audibly repeating to myself. I have no idea who first coined that mantra, but I have utilized it several times in my athletic pursuits, professional projects, and personal challenges when my mind, body, and soul want nothing more than to lie down and end the present pain. "The way is through - just keep going." I should also mention here that if you are planning on camping at Blind Lake, be on the lookout for trail signs for Blind Lake around the 27.4 mile marker. I am specifically calling this out because (1) my original itinerary involved camping at Blind Lake and (2) I did not see any signs leading to the campground. Maybe my exhausted mind just simply missed the markers, but if I hadn't planned on finishing the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail on Day 3 then I would have hiked an extra mile or so before realizing my mistake. Signage marking the start of the Bill Baker Trail near Blind Lake The calorie depletion really started to rear its ugly head right around the 30 mile marker past Hankerd Road. Aside from hiking in complete "zombie mode," i.e. autopilot to the point where your senses resolutely tune out every other sensation besides walking, I made one of the worst mental mistakes that you can make as an exhausted thru-hiker: I forgot about the discrepancies between AllTrails, the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail's official blue trail markers, and the actual trail's mileage. At Green Lake, I knew that my watch would read 14+ miles by the end of the day. During the course of my adventure, however, I started to believe that the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail's total mileage would be more like ~35 miles, or end at the blue "Mile 33" marker. Again, this was my energy-deprived mind giving into exhaustion, with the end result being that my extraction service arrived at Silver Lake roughly an hour early due to my miscalculation. Continuing to navigate under physically and mentally exhaustive conditions is one of many resilience building attributes of thru-hiking the the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the most difficult, drop-kick-to-the-groin mental challenges all came within the last five miles of the trek. Here are the remaining two: Pickerel Lake Junction: Whoever planned this segment of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail was a sadistic S.O.B. No, not because of the terrain which is totally manageable. At this point, you will find yourself at a crossroads of trails. One trail leads directly to the Silver Lake Trailhead. Another god-forsaken trail heads southwest, well away from anywhere that a Waterloo-Pinckney Trail thru-hiker would want to venture. Guess what friends: the direct trail is "Silver Lake Trail," which is not your route. You, oh lucky one, are headed southwest for another 2 miles of indirect fun. The 33 Mile Marker: This spot is mentally challenging for two reasons. First - especially if you've been giving looking at AllTrails - you will errantly believe that you have reached that coveted final mile. You haven't. Sorry, you have 2 more to go - including a steep final climb at the 34 mile marker. But second, and significantly more mentally-testing than the mileage disappointment, is that you'll be tempted. There's a shortcut trail right around the 33 Mile Marker that would shave off a mile, and after the litany of inaccurate trail markers that you've fallen victim to by this point, you would have a decent argument for taking it. Brothers and sisters - resist the temptation! Short term gratifications almost always lead to long term regrets. Yes, the extra mile sucks - but knowing inside that you didn't truly thru-hike the entire Waterloo-Pinckney Trail would suck even more. The Reunion at Silver Lake Well done, fellow hiker - you passed both of these tests by knocking out an additional 5K's worth of seemingly unnecessary trail. Now, finally on the main Silver Lake Trail, you are rewarded with a gradual, largely direct descent towards the finish line: the Silver Lake Trailhead. Despite all of the pain that you had probably experienced up to this point, the last half mile of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail provides a near-religious experience. A rush of dopamine as you start to see the lake through the trees. A feeling of innate gratification as other hikers just starting their journeys look at you like a returned hero, a trail conqueror - a thru-hiker. Better yet, I had a one-person welcome party waiting for me at the finish line: my father who had just returned from Zambia the night before, jet-lagged and smiling. I tapped the 35 Mile Marker post. I crossed the threshold of the trailhead past the welcome kiosk. And with that, the inaugural Expedition Detroit thru-hike of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail was complete. Ending this article where the adventure began: Big Portage Lake FINAL STATISTICS FOR THE ENTIRE THRU-HIKE OF THE WPT Total Distance: 37.79 miles Elevation Gain: 3,907 feet Hiking Time: 14h 38m 22s Final Thoughts: The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail should be on every Detroit-based backpacker's bucket list. You will traverse the entire spectrum of our region's best hiking - steep moraines, dense forests, expansive grasslands, and wetlands teeming with life. Regardless of whether you choose to complete the trek solo or with friends, this journey will undoubtedly leave an imprint on your perception of the immense backpacking opportunities found not only near Detroit, but throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region. Thank you to everyone who joined us on this three-part journey! These articles were longer than usual and represented more of a personal travelogue than normal experiential content, so we appreciate your willingness to venture into the subjective subconscious of the thru-hiking experience. We hope that this series on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail inspires you to seek out your own adventures within the Detroit region, and we will continue to seek out the world-class outdoor opportunities within our environment that are waiting for you to rediscover them. As always, we can't wait to see you out there. Do you maintain or regularly hike on a particular trail? Any suggestions for which "hidden gem" destination we should spotlight next? Let us know in the comments!

In honor of Earth Week, we embraced the challenge of thru-hiking the Detroit's region's most rigorous backpacking route: the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. This second installment of our series on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail traverses the most strenuous terrain of the entire journey - as well as discovering welcomed surprises to ease the "Survival Day." Rainstorms while camping: possibly the greatest paradox in the backpacking experience. On one hand, you'll never find a better "white noise" machine than Mother Nature maintaining a steady droplet beat against your rainfly. A wonderfully-deafening rhythm that beckons all weary hikers to further embed themselves into the cocoon of their warm sleeping bag. On the other hand...you're camping. Scratch that, you're backpacking. You need to emerge from the depths of your bag, pack up everything within eyesight into your backpack - including the shelter currently keeping you dry - and hit the trail. The muddy, sandy, hilly, 12-mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail preselected as your "survival day." Yeah. Burrowing further into the sleeping bag sounded pretty good. I checked the radar, saw that the storms were scheduled to dissipate in a few hours, and succumbed to the temptation. Fast forward a few hours and it's 9:30 a.m. The backcountry equivalent of sleeping in until noon. The natural drumroll that had lulled me back to sleep has calmed to an inconsistent drip, and a lone bird call alerts me that all systems are clear for a prospective launch from the tent. The light in my cavernous backpacker's tent is noticeably brighter now too. As a final precaution, I check the radar again. Bad news. The storms are expected to linger until 2:30 p.m., albeit with brief respite periods like the next 30 minutes. The temptress known professionally as Big Agnes starts to whisper sweet nothings into my ear again, coaxing me back to my 20º-rated bag and Klymit air mattress. "No," I say so audibly that the bird quits singing, confused with the faceless tent is suddenly speaking. "This is why I brought rain gear. Time to go." The first battle of the day had been won. There would be several more to fight throughout one epic Day 2 on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. THE WPT: PINES RUSTIC CAMPGROUND TO GREEN LAKE Total Distance: 12.01 miles Elevation Gain: 1,405 feet Trail Rating: Moderate-Hard Route Orientation: Point-to-Point When I first started planning my thru-hike in early March, I predetermined that Day 2 would serve as the "Survival Day" of the trip. For me, this concept means allocating as many obstacles or variables to handle into one finite period as possible. The main advantage to this concept is that, theoretically, you only need to work up the gusto once to supersede the most difficult moments of the journey, thereby rewarding the effort with easier days on the backend. The main disadvantage is, well, that you need to do it. Survival Days should start with a handful small wins that carry the positive momentum forward into the larger endeavors. After successfully emerging from my sleeping bag, Day 2 kicked off with a general best practice of packing up as much as I could into my pack before leaving the tent. Once I successfully converted my backcountry bedroom into a fully-packed bag, I emerged from the tent to fire up my Jetboil and make some instant coffee (an absolute necessity). As my coffee cooled, I carefully broke down camp - folding the rainfly towards the inside to minimize soaking the rest of the tent bag - and secured my rain cover over my pack before the storm could pick up again. Which the storm did, of course, moments after I drained my last sip of coffee. I tightened up my pack, made one last sweep of the Pines Campground to confirm that Expedition Detroit had indeed "Left No Trace," and started hiking. Marker at the top of Prospect Hill, the highest point of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail (1,150 ft.) The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail from Pines Campground starts at the day's lowest point before a gradual two-mile ascent towards the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail's highest point: Prospect Hill. Fair warning, Waterloo Recreation Area's equestrian faithful have left a heavy toll on this initial segment of the trail. The frequent rainstorms that I hiked through actually improved the sandy conditions that horse traffic have unleashed on Waterloo's bridle paths. I trekked through the first mile of marshlands with ease, although the landmines of horse poop kept me sharp-eyed and light footed. Once you cross Clear Lake Road, the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail starts getting fun. I mean really fun, or at least for anyone who enjoys rigorous trekking in the U.P. or Out West. Starting at 1.4 miles into the day, you will initiate your assault on Prospect Hill, complete with rocky straightaways and - for my first time ever in the Detroit region - legitimate trail switchbacks. While I usually dread switchbacks when backpacking Out West due to their repetitious nature, this feature of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail provided further confirmation of one of Expedition Detroit's core beliefs: that the Detroit region has world-class outdoor experiences akin to other renown destinations. If a trail has switchbacks - and a 17% grade climb to its peak - then that constitutes a trail worth hiking. As you complete the climb, a small stone marker will gradually start to peak over the trail. This humble marker rests at the top of Prospect Hill at an elevation of 1,150 feet. This marker also signals that you have reached the "summit" of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Yes, you will still need to descend and reascend several more challenging moraines before reaching Silver Lake, but take some time to celebrate this achievement. Again, Survival Days are best survived with compounding "wins," and reaching the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail's peak is most certainly a win. I celebrated by eating an "Aussie Bite" breakfast. One of the most beautiful sights of the entire Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Your next "win" - which for me was honestly more satisfying than summiting Prospect Hill - comes in the form of a weathered sign bringing tidings of comfort and joy. As you draw closer to the sign, you may start crying tears of joy because the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail FINALLY breaks off from Waterloo's bridle trails. Yes, non-equestrian friends: no more dodging horse poop, trudging through sand, or keeping your head on a swivel for riding traffic. The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail is yours and yours alone for the remainder of Waterloo Rec. The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail's string of ascents and descents leading to Crooked Lake provides one of the most beautiful and solitary segments of the entire trail experience. Especially around the 14.4 mile marker, you descend from an upper panoramic ridge line into what feels like a forested bowl, trekking alone within your own micro-wilderness. The surroundings invite you to be completely present - to indulge in the natural confines that invoke stillness, reflection, contentment, and gratitude for the experience that you've embarked on. Scenic resting spot along Crooked Lake Your arrival at the banks of Crooked Lake provides a reminder that you are still backpacking within a larger metropolitan area. A fox sighting made this moment memorable for me, but otherwise I found myself eager to start the ascent away from the lake and its several cottages and homesteads. At this point in the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, I found myself preferring the solitude of the woods more and more with each passing mile. The trance-inducing rhythm of the intermittent rain hitting the top of my rain jacket's hood further grounded me to nature and apart from the distractions of a developed world. Or at least until I reached the Gerald E. Eddy Discovery Center roughly 7 miles into the day and remembered all of the benefits of a modern society. Roofed picnic shelter with benches perfect for drying out equipment and clothing? Check. A water fountain for filling up my bottle and cooking a proper re-hydrated lunch? Check. The cleanest bathroom that I have ever encountered in a park setting? Check. After conquering the morning's rigors on a relatively empty stomach, I allotted myself an hour to indulge in the Discovery Center's amenities. I strongly encourage you to do the same. Golden hour at Green Lake Campground The remaining four miles on Day 2 lead largely due north towards Green Lake. There is one more daunting moraine to summit approximately two miles past the Discovery Center, but as a whole this segment consists of wetland boardwalks and ridge line traverses. Similar to the prior day's experience, my calorie-depleted mind started to drift during this segment, therefore diminishing my memory now. After thoroughly examining the breadth of my relationships and life choices (yikes), I channeled this trail-induced hypnosis towards brainstorming future article ideas and innovative products or services for Expedition Detroit. Let's just say that if you're ever reading a future article and think "Where did this idea come from??", the answer is probably circa Miles 19 or 20 on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Roughly five and a half hours after setting off from Pines Campground, I had finally reached the service road into Green Lake Campground. Spoiler alert, reaching this road does not mark the finish line for the day. I hiked another 0.4 miles to reach my Green Lake Campground site - the isolated Site #8 - which was conveniently located across the camp drive from the outhouses and water pump. The site also had a plethora of downed sticks to build a roaring fire with inside its industrial fire pit. Green Lake Campground was very crowded that night, including what appeared to be a family reunion at its famous yurt next to me, but I still managed to find some solitude while reading a book next to the fire - similarly to how the whole journey had started several months prior. I picked up head up to recognize one last surprise on the day - dissipating clouds and rays of brilliant gold light against the trees above me. I left my book, ran to the shoreline, and caught the final act of one of the most dramatic sunsets I have ever seen. The Survival Day was complete. And I had enjoyed every single moment of it. Do you maintain or regularly hike on a particular trail? Any suggestions for which "hidden gem" destination we should spotlight next? Let us know in the comments!

The Great Lakes Tourism Experience Initiative is actively positioning Detroit as the epicenter of the longest interconnected trail network across Canada and the United States. Here's what you should know about our region's great investment in Detroit's outdoor economy. Rendering of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Image courtesy of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. Detroit is no stranger to vast trail networks. The Detroit Riverwalk provides immediate access to the Iron Belle Trail, a hiking and biking trail network which, once completed, will stretch more than 2,000 miles from Belle Isle Park to Ironwood in the western tip of the Upper Peninsula. The forthcoming Great Lakes Way will also connect over 160 miles of greenways and 156 miles of blueways running parallel to the southeastern coast of Michigan. Oh, and don't forget that the Iron Belle Trail connects directly to the North Country National Scenic Trail - a vast footpath stretching over 4,800 miles maintained by the National Park Service that guides thru hikers from Vermont to North Dakota. Dare I say that the Canadian side of the Detroit River is even more connected. The Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail network in the world that ranges over 15,000 miles, extends directly to Windsor’s Riverfront Trail and greater trail network. The Trans Canada Trail also connects with Ontario’s Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, an impressive regional trail network spanning over 2,237 miles around the Great Lakes region, just east of Ontario’s new Ojibway Prairie National Urban Park. Cyclist peddling along the Windsor Riverfront Trail. Our region is undoubtedly spoiled with expansive trail networks, but one logistical impediment that bifurcates these two areas is an international border crossing. Fortunately for all of us, on September 9th, meaningful action was taken by several key American and Canadian organizations to diminish this variable. A Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) was jointly signed by representatives from the Trans Canada Trail, the Waterfront Regeneration Trust, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to collaborate in promoting the Detroit region as a preeminent “binational Great Lakes tourism destination opportunity” by 2024. The MOU stated that, coinciding with the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, efforts will be made to enhance cross-border trail tourism experiences through the promotion and maintenance of the greenways and waterways found within Detroit, Windsor, and other border cities along the Detroit River. The Gordie Howe International Bridge will include a 12-foot wide, two-way path for bikers and hikers, insulated from vehicular traffic by concrete barriers. Trail users will be subject to the same cross-border travel requirements as vehicular travelers (i.e., will need a passport, NEXUS card or other acceptable form of identification), although separate customs booths will process cyclists and pedestrians. But wait, there’s more. In addition to connecting all of these great trail networks, the partner organizations also agreed to further expand these trails for more engaging and enriching international outdoor experiences. The partners agreed to collaborate on marketing strategies, economic development through eco-tourism, conservation, encouraging healthy living, and even using cutting-edge technology to enhance trail experiences (such as a “digital trail mirroring a physical trail” across the bridge). The Binational Great Lakes Tourism Experience initiative (the “Initiative”) just launched a website that provides additional information on each of the partner organizations and an interactive map of the interconnected trail network. If you can’t tell, we at Expedition Detroit are beyond excited for the industry-redefining Initiative. Our core belief is that Detroit is a world-class outdoor destination worth exploring, celebrating, and protecting. Beyond confirming that we are not the only venture holding that belief, the Initiative demonstrates that binational partnerships are actively investing in and effectuating that mission. While we’re chomping at the bit to see the grand opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge and the realization of the Initiative, the next two years present a once in a lifetime opportunity to partner with and expand upon the Initiative’s actions and mission. A quick glance at the Initiative’s map shows that Detroit is strategically placed at the epicenter of these premiere trail networks. In between the colored trail lines, however, there are a lifetime’s worth of world-class outdoor opportunities to explore. Expedition Detroit is passionate about providing the color to the gray areas surrounding both sides of the Detroit River. We will proactively continue to develop outdoor accessibility resources, provide exposure to new adventures, and promote conservation of our natural resources. We hope that you will join us on this exciting venture, and we can’t wait to see you out there.

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition features a picturesque jaunt through the winding trails of Kensington Metropark in Milford, Michigan . Join us as Katie shares her first foray as a "Trail Tuesday contributor" while exploring Kensington's enchanting Fox, Chicadee, and Wildwing Trail Loops! Exploration . The word itself conjures a sense of excitement, intrigue, and for some, maybe slight anxiety. New places and new experiences., ranging from adventures close to home like a day trip to a new town, or spanning across oceans to foreign lands. Here at Expedition Detroit , our spirit of exploration leads us to the bountiful and breathtaking adventures that Detroit's nature scene has to offer. There are a myriad of details that are required for any level of exploration. Research to be done, reviews to be read, gear to buy , and details to be hashed out. It takes some serious mental energy - h ence, possible anxiety. As an amateur hiker myself, I find myself investing a substantial amount of time scrolling through Alltrails pages and checking maps as I try to navigate my own adventure planning. It can be a little daunting and overwhelming - which is precisely why I'm excited to share my first #TrailTuesday expedition , taking on that prep work to help empower our community to embrace their longing to explore. So without further ado, let's hit the trail! MEET KENSINGTON METROPARK

Tired of crowded trails, full parking lots, and impossible-to-book reservations? Then do we have a treat for you. Introducing Expedition Detroit's new #ParksUnknown series, starting with highlighting the 5 least-visited parks near Detroit! "I can't believe that I've lived my whole life here and have never been here." If only we could monetize that sentence... To this day I have yet to lead an Expedition Detroit guided hike and not hear some iteration of awe, surprise, or disbelief regarding the extent of world-class outdoor destinations that are, apparently, hiding in plain sight throughout our region. For both first-time visitors and lifelong residents alike, the vast majority of our parks and trails remain completely unknown. The paradox behind that phenomena though is that the Detroit region, as a whole, is no stranger to visiting outdoor recreation destinations. According to recent reports provided directly to Expedition Detroit by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Belle Isle State Park experienced the largest amount of visitors of any Michigan state park in 2023 - approximately 5,587,381 visitors. Of the top 10 most visited Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas, which collectively accounted for 47% of all state park visitations in 2023, 4 are located within Metro Detroit (Belle Isle, Island Lake Recreation Area, William C. Sterling State Park, and Waterloo Recreation Area). Yet even our guided trips to those uber-popular parks typically comprise of first-time visitors. EXPLORE BELLE ISLE STATE PARK WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Since the genesis of our enterprise, we have actively sought out the Detroit region's outdoor destinations and experiences that the mainstream outdoor rec community have blatantly, and even offensively, disregarded. We didn't adopt the name "Expedition" Detroit to be ironic or cute, as many early deniers of our platform suggested. Several of our region's parks and trails that were established in the mid-20th century have fallen into a state of neglect and disrepair. Often times, it truly requires an expedition-worthy degree of planning, knowledge, endurance, and skill to recreate in our region's wildest places. With #ParksUnknown, our goal is to shine a spotlight on the Detroit region's destinations that have fallen into a state of obscurity. This series will outfit you with the requisite knowledge for visiting those parks, trails, and waterways that have escaped the attention of the larger outdoor world. If we owned a crystal ball, we'd be willing to bet that the popularity of these "unknown destinations" will rise in stride with the expansion of Michigan's outdoor recreation industry. Stated differently, if you're aching to avoid mainstream crowds like the plague throughout 2025, then the time is NOW to visit our #ParksUnknown destinations. Without further delay, let's kick off this new series with these 5 least-visited state parks near Detroit. 5. BRIGHTON RECREATION AREA | Brighton, Michigan 2023 Visitation Estimate: 358,304 park visitors Brighton Recreation Area was a surprising, yet predictable, inclusion on this #ParksUnknown list. Why? Simply because the stunningly beautiful park has the (mis)fortune of being located within a stone's throw of several other world-class outdoor destinations, including Island Lake Recreation Area and Huron Meadows Metropark. A visit to Brighton Rec should never be complete without hiking, running, or cross-country skiing the park's hallmark trail: The Penosha Trail. Penosha has been described as a "quintessential Michigan trail" and is often cited as one of the best hiking trails in the entire state. Brighton Rec also boats a "black diamond" rated mountain biking trail system, rustic camping at the Appleton and Murray Lake Campgrounds, angling and paddling opportunities at Bishop Lake, and phenomenal equestrian trails. Recommended Experience: Hiking the Penosha Trail EXPLORE BRIGHTON'S FAMOUS PENOSHA TRAIL WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT 4. HIGHLAND RECREATION AREA | Highland, Michigan 2023 Visitation Estimate: 290,991 park visitors We've said it once, twice, and will probably say it a thousand times more: Highland Recreation Area was protected for adventure. The ~6,000 acres comprising of the park feature the northern leg of the Chief Pontiac Trail, a backcountry climb to the 1,060 foot Mt. Kanzer, 10 inland lakes, boating sites, hunting land, and 44 miles of cross-country skiing, hiking, and equestrian. Oh, and also the most technical mountain biking, trail running, and hiking terrain in Michigan's lower peninsula: the infamous A-B-C-D Loops. Highland also contains a historic jewel, which most likely represents why the park ranks higher on this list: the Haven Hill Natural Area. Once the "nerve retreat" of Edsel Ford and his family, this "park within a park" provides a wooded, lakeside sanctuary for wildlife viewing and birding activities. Visiting the ruins of Haven Hill is a bucket list-worthy experience in Detroit's outdoors. And yes, we make sure to trek up to the ruins on a hidden backcountry route on each of our Haven Hill guided hikes. Recommended Experience: Hiking the Haven Hill Loop Trail EXPLORE HIGHLAND'S HISTORIC HAVEN HILL LOOP TRAIL WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Photo courtesy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources 3. ALGONAC STATE PARK | Marine City, Michigan 2023 Visitation Estimate: 273,785 park visitors The DNR's data appears to show a trend that the least-visited Michigan State Parks tend to be located on the outer edges of the Detroit region. Algonac State Park - located on the northeastern tip of Lake St. Clair and a stone's throw away from Ontario, Canada - fits squarely into that trend. While Algonac State Park is best known for its views of freighters traveling along the St. Clair River, the 1,550-acre park also boasts a half-mile of riverfront, campgrounds, trails and a 1,200+ acre natural area. The park features rare habitats, including lake plain prairies and oak savannas that are home to 22 threatened, endangered or special-concern species of plants, birds and butterflies. Algonac also maintains a combined 6.6 miles of hiking trails, which we took the liberty of combining into a new, singular "Algonac Expedition Route" on AllTrails. Enjoy. Recommended Experience: Hiking the Algonac Expedition Route (full trail system) 2. PROUD LAKE RECREATION AREA | Commerce Township, Michigan 2023 Visitation Estimate: 233,096 park visitors Proud Lake Recreation Area's standing as the second-least visited Detroit region state park is, without a doubt, the most shocking. Maybe that's due to our keen familiarity with the Milford area, from which Proud Lake is just a short paddle up the Huron River. Or the crowds of Memorial Day and Fourth of July picnickers that we've weaved through at the Proud Lake Dam on holidays past. Regardless, if the DNR's data is true, then Proud Lake represents the most accessible, recreation-filled, and under-utilized outdoor destination in Metro Detroit. Scratch that, the entire state. We've highlighted hiking Proud Lake's "Expedition Loop Trail" as our top recommended experience. That's not only because it's a trail that we carefully plotted on AllTrails; it's actually because of why we plotted the route as so. The Expedition Loop showcases the best of Proud Lake within a convenient 5K distance, including panoramic views of the Huron River, wildlife-teeming boardwalks, a stop at the Proud Lake Dam, a circumnavigation of the beautiful Proud Lake Marsh, and all the while shrouded by towering pines, oaks, and maples. Other can't-miss experiences at the park include backpacking the Chief Pontiac Trail to Kensington Metropark, mountain biking or horseback riding through its rugged western section, seasonal hunting in its easternmost section, and paddling down the Huron. Recommended Experience: Hiking the Expedition Loop Trail EXPLORE PROUD LAKE'S NEW EXPEDITION LOOP TRAIL WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT 1. ORTONVILLE RECREATION AREA | Ortonville, Michigan 2023 Visitation Estimate: 136,676 park visitors Located on the northern fringe of the Detroit region resides the least-visited - and consequentially, one of the most adventurous - Michigan State Park in Metro Detroit: Ortonville Recreation Area. The park's 5,400 acres contain several lakes, an equestrian campground, a shooting range, and trails open to hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. The day-use area at Big Fish Lake offers ample parking, restroom facilities, a picnic area, two picnic shelters, a playground, horseshoe pits and a designated swim area. Team Expedition Detroit recently visited Ortonville Rec to hike one its most scenic and rigorous trails: the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loop Trail (spoiler alert on an inbound #TrailTuesday article...). We selected this route for several reasons, chief of which being that Kerr Hill's summit of 1,229 feet represents one of the highest points of the region-spanning Jackson Interlobate Range. What we didn't anticipate was how rugged this trail would prove to be...similar to our traverse of the Chief Pontiac Trail, several sections of the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loop Trail were either barely or completely unmarked. We relied on AllTrails more than once to navigate through the obscurity of snow and fallen leaves, often following deer tracks to affirm that the route was truly passable. Hell yeah - we loved every second of it. If that experience doesn't qualify as an "expedition," then we honestly don't know what would. Recommended Experience: Hiking the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loop Trail Do you have a favorite outdoor destination near Detroit that you feel deserves a #ParksUnknown feature? Let us know in the comments, or email us directly at info@expeditiondetroit.com to provide more information!

In honor of Earth Week, we embraced the challenge of thru-hiking the Detroit's region's most rigorous backpacking route: the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. This first installment of our 3 part series on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail highlights the trail's initial physical and psychological impressions - especially on solo hikers. Every journey has its beginning, and this 38-mile one started in a basement. Next to a gas-lit fireplace. My parents' basement fireplace to be exact, during a brief period of solitude amidst the mayhem of the holidays. My respite would consist of cracking open the 3rd edition of Best Tent Camping: Michigan, my most recent impulse research buy from my local REI, a never-ending well for Expedition Detroit content inspiration. This particular fireside research session started with a narrow, basic agenda: learn more about southeast Michigan's best campsites from an expert's opinion. Nothing too special about it. And yet, while reading about Pinckney Recreation Area's Crooked Lake and Blind Lake Campgrounds, I underlined a sentence that struck me as noteworthy. Then I opted to highlight that same sentence, signaling an "Ah-Ha!" moment. The sentence read like this: "Pinckney Recreation Area and the neighboring Waterloo Recreation Area attract thousands of hikers and mountain bikers annually, and avid backpackers come for southern Michigan's longest hike, the 36-mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, which was created to offer overnight hikers a multiday trip." "Huh," I thought to myself. "WTF is the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail and why have I never heard of it before." I dog-eared the page for future reference, meaning I planned on returning to research the trail at some unspecified time in the future. Another item on my - thankfully - never-ending list of "hidden gem" outdoor recreation opportunities to research and explore in the Detroit region. I finished reading about Crooked Lake and Blind Lake's camping opportunities. I turned the page to the book's next entry: Green Lake Campground at Waterloo Recreation Area. "Awesome," I thought, "another Detroit region gem." Lo and behold, a few paragraphs into this section, another sentence leapt out at me: "Hikers looking for more than an afternoon stroll, however, will want to take note of the 36-mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, which connects Pinckney Recreation Area with the Waterloo Recreation Area." Call it intuition or superstition, but I got the message that a higher power appeared to be sending me. I put the book down. I opened my laptop. Curiosity evolved into research, research ignited inspiration, and inspiration surrendered to active planning. The origination trailhead of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail at Big Portage Lake, feat. my 15-year-old REI backpack. Five months later, I'm staring at the "WPT" trailhead at Big Portage Lake. Despite my decade+ of backpacking experience in wild places like the U.P, Colorado, Utah, Alaska, and Peru, I have never backpacked solo before. Not even an overnight, let alone ~40 miles over a four day, three night planned solo trek. A tangible nervous excitement grips me, heightened by the fact that there's only one other car parked in the massive trailhead parking lot. All signs pointed towards a journey of solitude in my future, which as a natural introvert I'm not entirely against. I loosely planned this trip to enhance my physical and mental self-reliance, and the empty trailhead further supported that there would be no shortcuts around executing this agenda. "Alright," I say audibly to myself as I lock my truck for the fifth time and sling my overweight backpack over my shoulders. "Let's go." MEET THE WATERLOO-PINCKNEY TRAIL My infatuation with the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail started with curiosity but waded into the realm of frustration. While the Detroit region is inundated with world-class day hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, and paddling trails, we're severely lacking in our true "backpacking" opportunities. I'm referring to backpacking experiences in the same vein as the world's greatest hikes. For the United States, that shortlist typically consists of the "Triple Crown" trails (Appalachian, Continental Divide, and Pacific Crest Trails), although Michigan's resident North Country National Scenic Trail also belongs as a fourth gem in the crown. Isle Royale National Park's Greenstone Ridge Trail should be on each Great Lakes backpacker's bucket list as well. In our corner of the natural world, we identified only six "backpacking trails" suitable for overnight thru-hiking. Yes, the completion of the Iron Belle Trail - including the construction of accessible rustic campgrounds - will fundamentally change the landscape of our backpacking opportunities. The completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge in 2024 will further fan this flame by connecting southeast Michigan's trails to greater Ontario's existing trail network. But for now, we have our six backpacking trails, the most prominent of which being the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Photo courtesy of the Potawatomi Trail Committee The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail started as a love child of the 1960s - a dream of recreational enthusiasts to connect 22 miles of trails in Waterloo Recreation Area to an equal-sized trail network in Pinckney Recreation Area, including the then-recently-minted 17.5 mile Potawatomi Trail. The 20 years that followed consisted of fundraising, planning, building, and, finally, the formal dedication of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail in 1986. The original Waterloo-Pinckney Trail was also named the Ninawkee Trail - which translates in the Potawatomi language to "The Land is Ours" - and stretched for 46 miles. In 2023, thru-hiking the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail requires traversing roughly 38.5 miles (including campground diversions) through Waterloo Recreation Area, Pinckney Recreation Area, and brief stint within Park Lyndon County Park. The trail consists of a rolling landscape mixture of oak-hickory forests, marsh wetlands, and open prairies featuring quintessentially-midwest red barns. The trail traverses steep moraine ridge lines and boardwalks while providing hikers with vistas of 10 inland lakes, the full spectrum of southeast Michigan's wildlife, and panoramic views of the Chelsea-Pinckney area countryside. Solo hiking the route - with only the unmistakably blue DNR trail markers as your companion - provides backpackers with a serene opportunity to embrace solitude within a fully-immersive experience. The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail has the power to heal and strengthen each facet of our being: our physical strength, mental fortitude, individual resilience, and spirituality. The conversations that you have with yourself over 40 miles alone on the trail, if you permit yourself to engage in them, provide invaluable and unfiltered insights into the depths of your values, memories, ambitions, and character. Best of all, an undeniable sense of accomplishment waits patiently for your arrival at Silver Lake. I didn't know any of that at Mile 0.0. The first and only thought in my brain as I stepped onto the trail was that roughly 10.2 miles stood between me and the Pines Campground. So I started hiking. THE WPT: PORTAGE LAKE TO PINES RUSTIC CAMPGROUND Total Distance: 11.57 miles Elevation Gain: 1,048 feet Trail Rating: Moderate Route Orientation: Point-to-Point Parking Specifics: Parking available at Big Portage Lake Parking Lot; Michigan Recreation Passport required. As I stepped onto the trail, the first thought in my mind after "Alright, I'm actually doing this!" was "I'm going in the wrong direction." No I had not deviated off-trail. The initial 0.2 miles of the trail lead hikers in one of the few northwest segments of what's otherwise a predominately northeast-oriented trail. A little disheartening knowing that you're starting the hike with what feels like an inefficient disbursement of calories, but you're immediately rewarded with a stunning panoramic vista of Big Portage Lake a beautiful mature forest that resembles the Shire more than southeast Michigan. This gently rolling 1.4 mile segment provides the perfect introduction to the trail - an intoxicating, confidence-inducing spell only broken by a passing car on Seymour Rd., the first of 28 road crossings throughout the journey. For the next 3.6 miles - from Seymour to Glenn Road - the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail gradually starts to unveil its defining geographic features. The dense forest blanketing the shoreline of Big Portage Lake gives way to the oak, maple, and intermittent pine forest that populates the lowlands of Waterloo Recreation Area. This section of the trail also introduces a series of smaller inland lakes, ponds, and creeks to the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail's cast of natural characters, including the avian and amphibian wildlife whose songs provide the background soundtrack to your steps. The start of the ascent up Sackrider Hill Right on cue at the 4 mile marker, the true topographic character of Waterloo Rec decides to make its grand entrance. As you traverse the southernmost segment of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, the trail climbs and descends 3.2 miles of rugged moraines carved into Michigan roughly 25,000 years ago. One picturesque resting point features a tree with a heart-shaped hollow right on the ridge of a panoramic ravine. I recommend resting here if you're feeling winded, especially since the most famous of these moraines - Sackrider Hill - is the next target on your summit list. Sackrider's decked watchtower, constructed at an elevation of roughly 1,130 feet, waits for your arrival after the steepest ascent of the entire Waterloo-Pinckney Trail (prepare for stairs). After summiting a third and final moraine at mile 6.9 - just before Katz Road - the trail gradually descends to a flat, wetland segment all the way towards Pines Campground. Don't be alarmed when the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail appears to dead in right into Glenn Road. Turn right and follow the dirt road for a quarter mile until the trail picks up again on your left. Fellow solo hikers, note that this segment of the tail on Glenn Road represents the most "exposed" part of the trail to non-recreational users. If there is a singular moment to exercise extra awareness regarding your surroundings, this is the section to do so. The only time that I felt any unease from human activity occurred during this segment; a group of people in two vehicles seemed to be avoidant of my presence, possibly due to the GoPro on my chest strap and their apparent illegal dumping just off trail. Just remember to always trust your gut in uncertain situations and err on the safe side. For most #TrailTuesday and related experience-focused articles, we try to focus on the specifics of the trail. The mileage. The elevation gain. The most scenic segments. The basic information that all interested trail users should review before setting out on their hike, run, or cycle. As any experienced backpacker will corroborate, however, the physical attributes of long-distance hiking are, at best, only half of the experience. The other half+ is entirely mental, especially when solo backpacking. Mirroring my actual experience on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, the initial paragraphs of this section of this article concentrated almost exclusively on the physical components of the trail: the terrain, the wildlife, the topographic nuances and challenges. The natural characteristics of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail that jumped out to me as I excitedly initiated this adventure. Starting at the 7.5 mile marker, however, my trail experience ventured from the physical into the metaphysical. Sure, maybe this mindset alteration resulted from the perfect storm of sub-standard sleep, low caloric intake, and high energy burn from carrying 40 pounds of backpacking gear over miles of oscillating terrain. Or perhaps an over-exposure to the subtle green hues of freshly-budding trees commingling with the monolithic brown of largely barren trees induced a gradual trance. Or was it the hypnotic beat resonating from my steady pace down the trail, a reliable metronome of recreational equipment only broken by a chickadee's call or rustling leaf. Regardless of the culprit, I spent over a mile and a half in complete silence, entirely transfixed by the solitude of one of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail's most isolated segments. While 1.4 miles of hiking typically passes by without a second thought, time stood still for this vignette on the trail. I said nothing, thought nothing; I only hiked, wholly-surrendered to the sights, sounds, and immediacy of the experience. I was entirely exhausted and at complete peace. Maybe this sensation explains why solo backpacking has garnered such a passionate faithful. Take the Alternative Dry Route. Only a flooded trail could have broken this spell. With just 1.4 miles to go on the hike, I came across a DNR-posted sign advising that the main trail experiences significant flooding during "certain times of the year." As such, the sign stated that hiking the longer "Alternative Dry Route" may be advisable. Still largely captivated by my nature-induced trance - and obstinately dismissive of adding more miles to my hike - I ignored this sign. The steady beat of my boots drummed on. That is until I stopped dead in my tracks, took my phone out of my pocket, and snapped the above photo. Now fully-awake and in "expedition mode," I made a few attempts to traverse around the most inundated portions of the trail. Each of these constituted fool's errands, especially with soaked boots now adding insult to injury. Great backpacking trails have an uncanny means of humbling all of us, and this water-logged portion of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail reminded me that acting like a stubborn jackass often only results in added mileage and drenched socks. I swallowed my pride, accepted the extra mile that was now on my docket, and backtracked to the DNR sign. Lesson learned. The Alternative Dry Route dumps you out on roughly a quarter mile south of the main trail on Baldwin Road. Once back on the trail, the sweeping wetland vistas of Baldwin Flooding help to ease any angst from the additional mile that may have just been added to Day 1 of your Waterloo-Pinckney Trail journey (less if you heed our advice an opt immediately from the Alt. Dry Route). The finish line: Pines Rustic Campground The finish line for Day 1 at Pines Rustic Campground is located roughly a half mile after the Baldwin Flooding dam bridge. The sites at Pines Campground are gratuitously large, especially if you're the only inhabitant like I was last weekend. Try to ignore the litany of charred logs that cover the campground - open fires are prohibited at the campground, although backpacker stoves are permitted. There's also a seasonal water pump located at the equestrian facilities just north of the campground. The bugs were not bad at all during my stay in mid-April, although I could imagine the mosquitos getting fairly vicious in the warmer months due to the campground's proximity to Baldwin Flooding and other wetlands. With the absence of insects, I leisurely set up my backpacker's tent, fired up my JetBoil for dinner, and relaxed in my lightweight camp chair with a book as the sun slowly set around me. A perfect end to an idyllic first day on the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. Do you maintain or regularly hike on a particular trail? Any suggestions for which "hidden gem" destination we should spotlight next? Let us know in the comments!

Spring's arrival includes a symphony of bird songs - including the coveted turkey gobble for Detroit's conservationists. Here is Expedition Detroit's breakdown of the locations, dates, equipment, and special regulations - updated for the 2026 spring Michigan turkey hunting season ! It's a perfect spring morning on your favorite trail. A pleasant 60º temperature with a bluebird sky backdrop, contrasted only by the budding greens, whites, pinks, and purples of the flowering trees. Wildflowers may already be sprouting through the freshly de-frosted ground, and the songs of migrant songbirds complete the background ambiance. One song breaks through the chorus - a distinct " GOBBLE, GOBBLE " that you had not thought about since November. Then you see them - a flock of wild turkeys steadily trekking through the woods, with a peacocking, puffed-out tom surely chasing down the hens. Maybe this is your first time ever seeing wild turkeys on this trail. Maybe it's the hundredth time. Regardless, the fact that you're actually witnessing that particular flock resulted from nothing short of a conservation miracle . A research-based, near-perfectly executed plan to preserve and manage North America's wild turkey population that was on the brink of extinction. And no, this near-catastrophic event did not occur in the 1800s or early 1900s like so many other mass-extinction events. We almost lost our wild turkeys in the 1970s . Here at Expedition Detroit , we firmly support the necessity of ethical, recreational hunting as a cornerstone component of the Michigan DNR's conservation mission . Beyond the revenue from hunting licenses providing a key funding source for the DNR's operations, the active management of wild species like wild turkey has led to a nearly 8x increase in their population and material preservation of their habitat. For this and many other reasons, outdoor ethics organizations like Leave No Trace have endorsed ethical hunting as a fundamental aspect of a healthy recreational ecosystem. April 18th is the opening day for Spring Wild Turkey Season throughout southern Michigan. With a few weeks to go, here's a "cheatsheet" for what you should know before heading into the field. 2026 Spring Turkey Digest Highlights Every spring, the Michigan DNR produces its Michigan Spring Turkey Digest that constitutes essentially the Bible on all matters Michigan turkey hunting. Here's a consolidated version of the Digest for turkey hunting within the Detroit region. When to Apply : Leftover licenses are available for purchase on March 16th via the Michigan DNR's website . Purchased licenses will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days after purchase. The Hunt 0234 license (see below) has no quota and can be purchased anytime. Season Dates : April 18th - May 31st for private land hunting within Unit ZZ. Turkey Management Unit ("TMU") NN covering the northern Lower Peninsula ends on May 1st. Required Equipment : Hunters may use a bow and arrow, a crossbow, a firearm that fires a fixed shotgun shell, or a muzzleloading shotgun. It is illegal to use or carry afield any other firearm . With regard to camouflage, we recommended repurposing your bow hunting equipment for early Whitetail Deer season for Michigan's early spring conditions. Other recommended equipment includes turkey calls ( don't forget to practice before heading into the field ) and decoys . Licenses Required : Base License and a Spring Turkey License. ***NEW FOR 2026*** The DNR has created two licenses that have specific relevance to the Detroit region: Hunt 0234 and Hunt 0301 licenses. Hunt 0234 : Available for use between May 2nd - 31st. This is a statewide, guaranteed spring turkey license that does not require an application in the conventional spring turkey drawing. With the Hunt 0234, you can hunt on both public and private lands in TMU "M" (Upper Peninsula), TMU NN, and TMU ZZ (southern Lower Peninsula). Hunt 0301 : Available for use between April 18th - May 31st. This is a TMU ZZ-specific, guaranteed spring turkey license that is valid only for private lands. There are two additional licenses pertaining to the Detroit region for use on public lands: Hunt 0302 ( April 18th - May 1st, quota of 8,000 licenses ) and Hunt 0303 ( May 2nd - 31st, quote of 8,000 licenses ). Limitations : 1 bearded turkey per tag. Hunters are also allotted only one tag per season. Turkeys may not be harvested while roosting or sitting in a tree. Mechanical, electronic or live decoys are prohibited. Michigan Turkey Management Units ("TMUs") - Metro Detroit is located entirely within TMU ZZ Recommended Public Hunting Locations As displayed within the Digest , the entirety of the Detroit region is within the "ZZ" Unit - a multi-county, public AND private-land unit. While licensed hunters can pursue Michigan's turkeys in most state-managed areas, there are a select handful of state lands that the DNR has specifically anointed as suggested locations for prime spring Michigan turkey hunting opportunities . Several of these are in the Detroit region, but two are uniquely located within the same township : Seven Lakes State Park and Holly Recreation Area in Holly Township. Of these two destinations, Holly Recreation Area is especially well-suited for Michigan turkey hunting due to its 8,000+ acres, rolling woodlands, and open fields. The Michigan DNR maintains a statewide " Turkey Tracts " program designed to highlight public hunting areas where intensive habitat management for turkeys has been conducted. These areas are designed to promote and highlight public access to quality turkey hunting, educate the public of ongoing habitat management and the impacts on wildlife and people, and build a connection with the users of the Turkey Tracts and local community businesses. Holly Recreation Area is the Detroit region's sole keeper of a Turkey Tracts designation site. EXPLORE HOLLY RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT TIPS FOR SCOUTING WILD TURKEYS If you're new to spring turkey hunting in Metro Detroit, don't worry - you're far from being alone. The resurgence of wild turkeys throughout southeast Michigan has lured legions of deer hunters and new hunters into the woods over the past few years (ourselves included). So if you're wondering where to begin when it comes to scouting wild turkeys, here's a short reference guide for your benefit: IDEAL HABITAT Scout for a variety of landscapes that provide for successful nesting, food, water, roosts, and areas for toms to display for hens within a close proximity. Look for fields, cutovers, open timber, creek/river bottoms, ridges, agriculture, cattle pastures, and grown up patches. WHEN TO SCOUT A few weeks before opening day - late March to early April. The goal is to get the lay of the land and learn the terrain as much prior to opening day, including searching for turkey tracks. KEEP YOUR EARS SHARP Identify a few “listening knobs” located at high points and drop pins. Find the highest point on the property that you're scouting - a place where you'll hopefully be able to hear hundreds of acres at a time. Get to that location well before daylight during the scouting weeks, and around daylight you'll hopefully start hearing gobbles, yelps, or "cawks." If you do, drop digital pins in the general area of those gobbles to create an inventory of turkeys to target. SIGNS OF TURKEY ACTIVITY In the early season, start by creek bottoms or other shallow bodies of water. Those locations are where the newest plants will green up first, which hens will find first while foraging. Look for tracks, droppings, and scratching areas ( resemble deer scrapes ) in the leaves. The bare dirt from turkey scratching will be exposed about the size of a dinner plate, and the leaves will be bunched up to one side. A roost tree should have a lot of droppings and feathers around its base. Wild turkey tracks Please note that this cheatsheet is only a high-level and supplemental reference to the Digest . The Digest also includes a broad range of very helpful and instructive information, such as legal shooting hours, information on lawful stands and baiting practices, and penalties for violations. Any further inquiries regarding applicable rules and regulations should be directed to the Hunting Digest or DNR at 517-284-WILD . You can CLICK HERE t o purchase any of the requisite licenses listed above. New to Michigan turkey hunting and would like additional resources? You're in luck. The DNR, Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, and other groups offer wild turkey hunter orientation courses. A fee may be charged, and space may be limited. For details about events, visit Michigan.gov/Turkey . Expedition Detroit  is proud to partner with the Michigan Wildlife Council 's mission of encouraging Michigan residents to support ethical conservation by purchasing fishing and hunting licenses . We hope that join us in conserving Michigan's cherished wildlife this spring! Learn More about the Michigan Wildlife Council Best of luck this season!

Peak running season in Metro Detroit is just around the corner! If you're looking for some extra motivation - and to make a few friends along the way - check out these "Five Most Prominent Running Clubs near Detroit" and lace up your shoes today! If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. This African proverb can be readily applied to a infinite array of bucket-list worthy pursuits. From building a business to scaling mountains, I've never heard of a solo venture that ultimately "went the distance" in reaching its full potential. There's undoubtedly strength in numbers. Especially when it comes to running, which partially explains the recent surge in running club popularity. Everyone seems to have their own reasons for joining a running club. From built-in training regimens and planned weekly runs to even pursuing romantic relationships, the global running community has welcomed legions of new members since the Covid-19 pandemic. Some editorials have opined that running clubs are even replacing night clubs and bars as the new go-to venue for social gatherings. Whose crystal ball could've predicted that. For Team Expedition Detroit, our interest in the most prominent running clubs near Detroit centers mostly on their ability to facilitate a healthier Detroit region - both physically and mentally. The physical benefits of joining a running club, we think, are obvious. Running in a paced, "Zone 2" setting is one of the best (and sustainable) cardiovascular exercises that you can participate in. The mental health benefits are even more fascinating. Running clubs foster a sense of camaraderie, helping members forge meaningful relationships through shared experiences. The simple act of running alongside others fosters social support, reducing feelings of isolation and increasing overall happiness. Running clubs provide structure, accountability and a built-in support system, making it more likely that members will stay committed to -and thereby accomplish - their wildest fitness goals. Pushing through physical discomfort and challenging oneself in a supportive group setting further builds mental strength and resilience, which translate into other critical areas of life. So - have we convinced you to join a local running club yet? If you're ready to lace up your shoes for impending 2026 running season, then be sure to check out these "Five Most Prominent Running Clubs" near Detroit! Photo courtesy of Running for Brews, Royal Oak 5. Running for Brews Royal Oak Claim to Fame: Brewery-centric running club that has built an energetic following. Running Club Events: Weekly Monday night 5K runs starting at O'Tooles in Royal Oak. Website: https://www.facebook.com/RunningforBrewsRoyalOak With a name like "Running for Brews," we're not at all surprised that the libations-themed running club has drawn thousands of faithful followers to its membership! As advertised, the running club is especially for any runner who enjoys getting outside, breaking a sweat amongst the company of other fellow runners, and then topping it off with an awesome craft brew. Running for Brews leads a weekly Monday night 5K run, setting off at 7PM from O'Tooles in Downtown Royal Oak. Beyond its weekly runs and crisp IPAs, the running club also coordinates volunteer opportunities at events like the Corktown Races and other running-centric events. 4. Downtown Runners and Walkers Claim to Fame: Longest operating running club in the City of Detroit. Running Club Events: Free weekly group runs - rain, shine, or snow - every Tuesday at 6PM from a new Detroit restaurant or bar. Website: https://www.detroitdowntownrunners.com/ Founded in 1983 and still going strong, the Downtown Runners and Walkers is the oldest running and walking club in Detroit! The Downtown Runners and Walkers provides a fantastic running club intended to build community and discover the best of Downtown Detroit. DTRW running club describes itself as "a casual, social group, and newcomers are always welcome to join us for our Tuesday night runs." Photo courtesy of RUNdetroit 3. RUNdetroit Claim to Fame: Eastern Market running store that is a staple of the city's running scene. Running Club Events: Free weekly group runs year-round (Saturday mornings with 3, 6, and 10-mile route options) and seasonal Tuesday track workouts. Website: https://www.run-detroit.com/ The Eastern Market-based run shop that's also a fixture for Detroit's running community! Beyond representing an established authority for Detroit running, the RUNdetroit shop also coordinates a running club that meets at its flagship store every Saturday morning throughout the year with minimal exceptions — for example, the Detroit Free Press Marathon is appropriately one of them. Various takes on three-mile, six-mile, and 10-mile routes are available, so participants can get in on the action at any skill level. A weekly evening track run is also available with workouts geared toward marathoners. 2. Ann Arbor Running Company Claim to Fame: Ann Arbor's preeminent running gear retailer that also leads running club group runs Running Club Events: Monday Night, Tuesday Night Intervals, Thursday Night, and Saturday Morning Long Group Runs. Website: https://www.annarborrunningcompany.com/pages/group-runs Running is better with company - especially when led by THE Ann Arbor Running Company on one of their weekly runs! AARC leads a variety of group runs throughout each week, including 5K Monday runs from Arbor Brewing Co., 5K Thursday night runs from HOMES Brewery, and Saturday morning long runs at 7AM from ARC Traver Village. AARC also teams up with the Ann Arbor Triathlon Club on Tuesdays to lead guided interval group training runs, which are geared towards developing speed and endurance. Photo courtesy of WeRun313 1. WeRun313 Claim to Fame: Detroit's largest and fastest-growing running club. Running Club Events: Two-Mile Tuesdays, 5K/10K Thursdays, and long Saturday group runs. Website: https://www.werun313.com/ Connect. Run. Build. That's the motto of the Detroit region's most prominent running club - WeRun313 - and with thousands of active members, they're certainly delivering on that mantra. Especially if you're located within jogging distance of Valade Park on the east riverfront, you're guaranteed to find your forever running community by joining a WeRun313 event. While the running club was founded in 2019 with the mission of challenging the stereotype that African-Americans don’t participate in running, WeRun313 has superseded its initial calling by establishing a social running club that connects like-minded individuals while building a healthier and happier community. The club welcomes runners of all ages, skill levels, and backgrounds, with a focus on raising awareness about the physical and mental health benefits of running. More about WeRun313 If you're a proud member of the Detroit region's running community, then you already know that this "Running Clubs near Detroit" article merely scratches the surface of the amazing community-focused running opportunities near Detroit. Here is our shortlist of other running clubs throughout Metro Detroit that might be meeting in your general vicinity: Atwater Running Club: Atwater Brewery, Detroit, Michigan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/809296732424147/about) Avenue Runners & Walkers: 19736 Livernois Ave., Detroit, Michigan (https://avenuerunners.com/) Downriver Runners: Allen Park, Michigan (https://www.facebook.com/downriverrunners/) DTP: Plymouth, Michigan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/RunDTP) Northville Road Runners: Northville, Michigan (https://northvilleroadrunners.org/) Royal Oak Area Runners ("ROAR"): Royal Oak, Michigan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/424887771788357/) West Bloomfield Trail Runners: West Bloomfield, Michigan (https://www.facebook.com/groups/481130338743248/) Needless to say, regardless of your running goals this year - whether you're training for your first 5K, half-marathon, full-marathon, or simply looking for community (or romance) - there's a perfect running club near Detroit waiting patiently for you. See you on the trails, Detroit! Looking for more community-based running opportunities? Check out the new "RUN MILFORD" series hosted by our #ExpeditionPartner RunningVenture! Expedition Detroit readers save 15% on ALL RunningVenture races using the code "15EXPDET26". Do you promote a running club, outdoor recreation venture, or event that you'd like to promote on ExpeditionDetroit.com? Awesome - shoot us an email at info@expeditiondetroit.com to learn more about special marketing opportunities.

Welcome to March : the epitome of "shoulder season" recreation where days can start with a morning cycle and finish with powder skiing. As you navigate this most unpredictable of months, here are the " Top 8 Outdoor Events near Detroit "for capitalizing on March's recreational opportunities! Shoulder. Season. There are no better two words for describing what Detroit region recreationists experience in March when trying to plan for a full day of outdoor experiences. If you're a glass-half-full kind of person, then March should represent your favorite month of the year . For the next few weeks, you could have an opportunity to run on dry trails in the morning and snowshoe through powder in the evening. Or embrace a crisp morning hike before b asking in the warmth of a mid-afternoon kayak. Our most coveted parks are still largely vacant of warmer-weather crowds. The most sought-after river routes or campsites are available for your recreational leisure. Oh, and as a cherry on top, most Michigan state park drinking regulations don't take effect until April 1st. Sláinte . On the other hand... March has a tendency to kind of, well, suck . This month often too warm to ski at the Big Four Resorts , too cold to paddle, too muddy to bike, too early to hunt...etc., etc. If navigated poorly, recreationists can easily find themselves simply trying to survive a period of recreational purgatory. We at Expedition Detroit align ourselves with the pro-March agenda. Conditions be damned, we're firmly in the friluftsliv , "there's no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing" crowd. However, especially for the "March Deniers" among us, we thought that we'd curate this list of Top 8 Outdoor Events to help ease your passing from winter into spring! 1. CLOSE OUT SKI SEASON AT DETROIT'S BIG FOUR RESORTS Early March   | Alpine Valley, Mt. Brighton, Mt. Holly, and Pine Knob Resorts The arrival of spring in the Detroit region is bitter sweet. On the one hand, warmer temps tend to open up the full arsenal of Metro Detroit's recreational opportunities. Kayaking, mountain biking, mud-less trail running ...you name it, our region's got it. On the other... R.I.P. to ski season. Especially a "true winter" ski season like this year's. Don't stow away your twigs and boards yet! The " Big Four " ski resorts will most likely start closing down around March 16th, so get your final turns in for the 2025-26 season while you still can. As an extra season-ending bonus, here are some spring-themed events occurring at each resort this month: Mount Brighton Slush Cup : March 14 - 16th, Mount Brighton Resort Winter Carnival : March 8th, Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard Resort 2. VENTURE INTO THE WORLD OF ARCHERY March 3rd and beyond   | DNR Outdoor Adventure Center   | 6 p.m. Did you know that archery is one of the fastest growing sports on a global scale? Beyond the surging popularity of bow hunting, archery is gaining traction as both a recreational activity and a competitive sport. Participation rates across all demographics are climbing, and the number of archery clubs and organizations is on the rise. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources - and especially the team at the Outdoor Adventure Center in Downtown Detroit - are well aware of this trend. The OAC has several archery-related courses and events occurring this March, including a month-long " Junior Olympic Archery Development Program " offering in-depth experience for participants to develop their archery skills. Archers will learn how to shoot compound and recurve bows, advance their shooting process, prepare for shooting competitively, and earn USA Archery achievement pins. Photo courtesy of Cork Town Races 3. Run for the Gold at a St. Patrick's Day 5K Throughout March | Throughout Detroit Region There's only one time of year where waking up to any song by the Dropkick Murphys is not only acceptable, but culturally-respectable. As well as slamming a pre -race Guinness. Or kissing anyone with freckles or red hair, assuming that their green t-shirt of choice explicitly invites said kiss. That beautiful time of year, my friends, is St. Patrick's Day - a day of remembrance of the "Old Country" for us Irish, acceptable debauchery, bag-pipe filled music, crowded pubs, and a festive leprechaun-themed 5K races . Detroit's oldest and most Irish neighborhood, Corktown, will be hosting its 43rd running of the " Corktown Races " on March 15th. Other fantastic St. Paddy's-themed races include RF Events' " Shamrocks & Shenanigans " on March 8th in Ann Arbor, the " Run for the Gold " on March 14th in Pinckney, and the " Shamrock Shuffle " on the same day at the Carl's Family YMCA in Milford. 4. Celebrate Detroit's Outdoors on "313 Day" March 13th   | Robert C. Valade Park, Detroit Michigan   | 3:13 p.m.   DE-TROIT! Our city has a lot to be proud of heading into 2026, ESPECIALLY with regard to our ever-expanding trail system and the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge . As such, there's no better place to celebrate the city this " 313 Day " than along the Detroit Riverfront at Valade Park! Next Thursday, head downtown for a family-friendly celebration of all matters Detroit. We're talking music, comedy, trivia, poetry, activities, food, prizes and so much more - all along Detroit's award-winning riverfront . Additional amenities include a 3.13-mile run with We Run 313 , food from Smokey G’s Smokehouse and Detroit Panzerotti, and Detroit-themed drinks & specials from the Valade Shed Bar. 5. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve March 14th   | 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  - still shine 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. 6. Learn to Bird on Belle Isle March 15th   | Belle Isle State Park   | 9 a.m.   When you reach a certain age milestone ( 1996 babies, I'm talking to you ), there are a few recreational activities that, without any warning, suddenly start to become very appealing. Gravel biking is one. Pickle ball is another. And then, there's birding. The recreational gift that keeps on giving. The active, and often educational, activity of observing, identifying, and studying wild birds in their natural habitat. In the Detroit region, there are few better destinations to start birding than Belle Isle Park in Detroit! Don't worry though, you don't have to wing it ( haaaaa ). The Outdoor Adventure Center is kicking off its monthly " Birding Belle Isle " series observing and identifying the birds of Belle Isle Park. March's program will meet at the Trout Lily Trailhead, and will be approximately a 1.5-mile loop, flat with both unpaved and paved sections. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan, and a spotting scope will be available for viewing when appropriate. All skill levels are welcome. EXPLORE BELLE ISLE PARK WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Photo courtesy of the Detroit News 7. Hunt for the Nain Rouge at Highland Rec March 21st   | Highland State Recreation Area | Noon Have you heard of the legend of the Nain Rouge ? French for "Red Dwarf," Detroit lore warns that the dastardly Nain has been haunting Metro Detroit for over 300 years - ever since Detroit's founder, Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, allegedly ignored the warnings of a local fortune teller and kicked the mischievous Nain. Terrible, terrible decision. We don't advise that you follow Cadillac's example, but you should join 150 adventurers in searching for the Nain throughout the trails of Highland State Recreation Area this March! Join the " Nain Rouge Gain " trail running and orienteering race in either 3 hour or 6 hour events to locate orienteering controls. The race is structured as an all optional format, using supplied electronic punch sticks and Lidar-based O-maps throughout the park in attempt to find the Nain Rouge and ward him off for another year. Detailed Orienteering topographical maps will be provided pre-marked with control points. The total trekking will be 30 – 35K depending on a your selected route and number of CP’s achieved. Not all control points will be required to finish as an officially ranked team/individual; however, the more control points a team/individual obtains in the shortest amount of time, the higher they will rank in the overall standings. EXPLORE HIGHLAND STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT 8. Enjoy Flannel Season with a Lumberjack Festival & Pancake Run March 27th - 29th | DNR Outdoor Adventure Center | 10:00 a.m. Flannel. Flapjacks. Finish lines. Can you think of a better tr io for closing out "Flannel SZN" in the Detroit region? We sure can't, and we think that whoever thought of this Lumberjack-themed festival & race at the DNR's " Outdoor Adventure Center " deserves a raise. As the final act of the OAC's "Lumberjack Days Festival," the festive " Lumberjack 5K and Pancake Breakfast " race will traverse the Dequindre Cut , starting in front of the Outdoor Adventure Center . The course is flat and fast, and the race's "swag" includes a custom medal, lumberjack buff, free entry to the Outdoor Adventure Center beginning at 10 a.m., and a big pancake breakfast. All participants are encouraged to wear their best flannel apparel and sport their best lumberjack beard. BONUS : Explore Your State Parks with Expedition Detroit ! All March   | 11 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas Winter hibernators, rejoice! The return of warming temperatures means that you can leave those extra layers at home - while also not worrying about crowds, bugs, or 5 p.m. sunsets. In other words, RIGHT NOW is the perfect time to find your next favorite trail - and the Expedition Detroit team knows just where to lead you! Check out our current offerings of guided trips  covering the Detroit region's most beautiful state parks . This March, we are planning a select offering of guided hiking , night hiking , and - in the event of a surprise blizzard - snowshoeing day trips throughout Metro Detroit .  For anyone interested in our guided snowshoe treks, note that we offer no-risk reservation transfer options  for any treks that are cancelled due to conditions. In other words, we guarantee that you will enjoy a world-class outdoor experience ! The Expedition Detroit  team is proud to represent the Michigan DNR's largest commercial provider  of guided hikes, backpacking expeditions, and trail running coach across ELEVEN  of the Detroit region's most pristine state parks and recreation areas. Each of our guides has the field experience, wilderness first aid training, park knowledge, and outdoor passion that you can - and should - expect from any world-class trail experience . P.S. Subscribers to our content   get discounts on our guided trips AND online store   items... Explore Brighton 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.