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.

Can you feel it, Detroit runners? Racing season is JUST AROUND THE CORNER , including the full spectrum of races to register for. Don't miss the opportunity to support "trail town" community racing - AND save on fees - by joining the " Run Milford " Racing Series! Communities, first and foremost, are built on values. Yes, excellent schools, exciting events , cutting-edge restaurants, bountiful parks, and an energetic business environment are core elements as well. But without a cohesive set of core values, growing communities often lose that charm, ethos, and identity that made them so attractive in the first place. For the Village of Milford, Michigan - and its surrounding municipalities - one core value is an emphasis on community-wide outdoor recreation. We first noted that by bestowing Milford the honor of receiving our inaugural " Trail Town Spotlight " feature. The fine folks at Pure Michigan followed suit two years later and named Milford its latest " Pure Michigan Trail Town. " The citation included that Milford "has a long history of trail support, planning and development and has served as a destination location for outdoor enthusiasts to live, work and recreate," including near-immediate access to 3 Michigan State Parks, Kensington Metropark, the Michigan Air Line Trail, the Huron Valley Trail, and the Huron River National Water Trail. And that just scratches the surface. Milford is also home to the annual Milford Bike Fest and Trail Challenge, the hallmark mountain biking event in southeast Michigan. Add in Milford Memories and countless other community-wide events throughout the year, and you can see why Milford constitutes one of the fastest growing municipalities in Metro Detroit. Speaking of fast, now greater Milford's running community has yet another reason to celebrate. NEW FOR THE 2026 SEASON, our #ExpeditionPartner RunningVenture has unveiled the " Run Milford " racing series: a four-event, season-long series that provides a 20% discount for all participants (plus extra swag). Better yet, we at Expedition Detroit will be providing certain "Age Group Awards" throughout the series. Ready to "Run Milford," Detroit runners?! Well, you better start moving towards the starting line: this series kicks off THIS SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st. Here's a breakdown of everything that you need to know for the Run Milford racing series: RACE 1 : FROSTY 5K Date: February 21st, 2026 Distances: 5K Starting Times:   10 AM Starting/Finishing Line Location: Milford Central Park Bundle up, Detroit - the Run Milford series kicks off with its " Frosty 5K" race! Starting off from Milford's stunning and recently-renovated Central Park, the majority of the race follows the forested (and paved) Milford Trail through Hubbell Pond Park until its turnaround point just north of the scenic Huron River. After the race, be sure to check out the Milford Winter Market at The Warehouse (located at River's Edge Brewery in Milford). Frosty 5K Route Map Pre-Race Information Registration available online . Packet pick up and registration on site at The Warehouse from 8:30-10 AM Race is professionally chip-timed with age group awards and photos. Swag Details All finishers receive a custom race medal All participants will receive a custom race shirt Awards for top male and female in each event along with top 3 in each age group RACE 2 : MILFORD MEMORIAL DAY RUN Date:   May 25th, 2026 Distances:   1 Mile, 5K, and Double Starting Times:   8:30 AM ( 1 Mile/Double ) and 9 AM ( 5K ) Starting/Finishing Line Location:   Carl's Family YMCA in Milford With spring in full swing, embrace the heat and cross off your first "holiday 5K" of the year at the " Milford Memorial Day Run! " Starting off from the pavilion at the Carl's Family YMCA (located adjacent to Hubbell Pond Park), the Memorial Day Run route sticks to the paved Milford-Kensington Trail, hugging the stunning northern shoreline of the Huron River (including a dramatic crossing over the historic Milford Dam). After the race, be sure to stick around town for the celebrated Milford Memorial Day Parade along Main Street . Pre-Race Information Registration available online . Packet pick up and registration on site at the YMCA pavilion starting at 7AM. Race is professionally chip-timed with age group awards and photos. Participants are allowed to change races at any time, as long as there is open availability. Swag Details All finishers receive a custom race medal All participants will receive a custom race shirt Awards for top male and female in each event along with top 3 in each age group     RACE 3 : MILFORD FIRECRACKER RUN Date:   July 4th, 2026 Distances:   1 Mile, 5K, and 10K Starting Times:   8 AM ( 5K and 10K ) and 9:30 AM ( 1 Mile ) Starting/Finishing Line Location:   Christ Lutheran Church Happy 250th birthday, America! Kick off your holiday with the annual " Milford Firecracker Run ," which includes a full suite of 1 Mile, 5K, and 10K distances to choose from. While the race largely follows the familiar Milford-Kensington Trail from "Run Milford" races past, the Firecracker's route starts at Christ Lutheran Church (north of GM Road) before venturing east towards Kensington Metropark and Camp Dearborn, before turning around to head north towards Hubbell Pond Park - before turning around again to finish at the Church. As is tradition, be sure to head back to Main Street in Milford after the race for the marvelous 4th of July Parade! Pre-Race Information Registration available online . Packet pick up and registration on site at Christ Lutheran Church starting at 7 AM Race is professionally chip-timed with age group awards and photos. Swag Details All finishers receive a custom race medal All participants will receive a custom race shirt Awards for top male and female in each event along with top 3 in each age group     RACE 4 : GOBBLER GALLOP Date:   November 28, 2026 Distances:   1 Mile, 4 Mile, and Double Starting Times:   8 AM ( 1 Mile/Double ) and 8:30 AM ( 4 Mile ) Starting/Finishing Line Location:   Downtown Milford (in front of For Feet's Sake) Last but certainly not least, get ready to burn off that extra helping of turkey at the Run Milford grand finale: the annual " Gobbler Gallop " race! This cherished holiday tradition takes runners on a grand tour of Milford, starting from the northern end of Main Street, into Central Park, before converging onto - you guessed it - the Milford-Kensington Trail. There is a time limit to the Gobbler Gallop, since the race ends just in time for the start of Milford's annual Holiday Parade featuring dozens of floats, bands, and of course, Santa Claus! Classic Gobbler Gallop Route Map Pre-Race Information Registration available online . Packet pick up and registration on site at The Warehouse from 8:30-10 AM Race is professionally chip-timed with age group awards and photos. Sign up 4 or more people at once and save $5 per person on the registration – applied automatically at checkout. The race course and park are still open to the public, so please be courteous to other runners/bikers who may be using the path. Swag Details All finishers receive a custom race medal All participants will receive a custom race hoodie Awards for top male and female in each event along with top 3 in each age group     CONGRATS! With the completion of the Gobbler Gallop, you can now cross off "Finishing the Run Milford series" off of your bucket list. In addition to that great honor, you will also receive a special "Run Milford" finisher award. Now all that's left to do is rest up your legs for completing the series again in 2027... Expedition Detroit is proud to partner with RunningVenture on the promotion of its Run Milford racing series, as well as other community-focused races. If you are interested in working with us on promoting your events, organization, products, or other ventures, please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com . This sponsored article contains affiliate links that align with Expedition Detroit's Disclosures Policy.

Happy Victory Week, Detroit - and the rest of the U.S.A.! Now that the 2026 Milan Cortina Games have officially come to a close in historic fashion, here are Team Expedition Detroit's " Key Takeaways from the Winter Olympics " for Metro Detroit's recreational development. Forty-six years, erased in a single flutter of the back of the net. Beating hearts across the world paused to verify the gravity of the moment. Even Jack Hughes, the American hockey player that had released the overtime shot towards arguably the best goaltender in the world, seemed to question the veracity of his shot for a moment. Then, like a bolt of lightening striking the surface, the celebration erupted. The referee didn't even have an extra second to signal that the puck had found its mark. Canton's Hughes turned towards his teammates, arms raised high in the universal posture of victory. Waterford's Dylan Larkin turned so sharply towards his "golden goal" teammate that a speed skater would've experienced whiplash. Grosse Point Woods' Zach Werenski, provider of the "golden assist," tossed his now unnecessary gloves into the air. And the battered, unsung hero - Commerce Township's Connor Hellebuyck - breathed out the unimaginable stress that only a goalie playing overtime Olympic hockey could endure. Yes. All 4 American players on the ice of the golden moment were Olympians from Metro Detroit, Michigan . Better yet, the men weren't even the first U.S. team to defeat their "rivals to the south" in an overtime victory. Megan Keller of the U.S. Women's Hockey Team scored our country's first overtime winner on Thursday, setting the standard for her male counterparts to follow suit. And guess what: Keller is from Farmington Hills, Michigan. Megan Keller celebrates her "Golden Goal" over Canada Hockeytown? How about Hockeynation . The closing hockey acts provided far more than just historic victories over immensely talented Canadian teams. Victories that will inspire generations of American hockey players to come, similar to the "Miracle on Ice" nearly half a century ago. No - these victories also cemented Metro Detroit's standing as a major producer of not only cars, but Olympians . Champions. The embodiment of everything good and admirable about sport. World-class athletes capable of uniting a nation immensely battered by political division. True heroes, which is a term that I use without any fear of hyperbole. Here at Expedition Detroit , our core belief is that the Detroit region is a world-class outdoor destination worth exploring, celebrating, and protecting. That belief covers not only our outdoor amenities - the stunning parks, trails, hills, and waterways that we call home - but the community of people that care for, explore, and advocate for them. On a global stage, our Olympians are undoubtedly some of our best ambassadors for the professional-class athletic and recreational capacity of our region. Beyond just Olympic success, our region can glean immense value from these past 2+ weeks of glorious winter games. Key takeaways that should both affirm and inspire our region's outdoors and the athletes that enjoy them. The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games have come and gone, but in the spirit of an enduring Olympic flame, here are 4 "Key Takeaways" from the Winter Olympics for Metro Detroit's outdoor community. "Golden Goal" scorers; image courtesy of USA Hockey 1. MOTOR CITY GRIT DELIVERS ON A GLOBAL SCALE Detroit's famous work mantra holds true and performs under peak pressure Grit. The noun has been synonymous with the City of Detroit and it's surrounding region since, well, the founding of the city itself on the edge of the known world in 1701. From progressing and prospering through its initial settlement and colonial wars, rising from the ashes of the Great Fire of 1805, embracing the hustle and muscle required for sustaining the global automative industry, and rising from the economic depths of bankruptcy, our region has embodied "Grit" from Day 1. Most recently, the unprecedented revival of the Detroit Lions under Coach Dan Campbell provided a recreational embodiment of the term - further propagated by the turnaround success of the " Gritty Tigs " and dominance of the Pistons and Red Wings this season. The singular identity between the Detroit region and its representative athletes is anything but a happy coincidence. Coach Campbell even explicitly stated that the Lions relish in the shared persona with their city: " It's important ... It’s not the first thing you think of when you go to L.A. or just in general. Here, man, it's harsh winters, auto industry, blue-collar. Things aren't always easy, and I think that's what we're about. ” You know what's also not easy? Lining up against what the pundits anointed as the "best team in the world" - for both the men's and women's tournament. Both games went to overtime. Single goal elimination. And, as the whole world now knows, Metro Detroiters were trusted as the last players standing. Celebrating. Arms raised high after scoring their respective "golden goals." " We'll go a little bit longer. We'll push a little harder. We'll think a little deeper and a little sharper. It means we're unbreakable. " Yes, that's another Coach Campbell quote referring to the Lions. But, without any additional context, he perfectly described how our regional Olympians performed on the global stage, under unimaginable pressure. From hockey to figure skating to snowboarding and beyond, Michigan's Olympic athletes brought home 12 gold medals - the second most of any U.S. state. Grit delivers, Detroit. Whether you're at home, hiking a new trail, learning a new skill, or performing for a worldwide audience, grit will see you through the deepest of valleys to the highest of summits. Our Olympians just proved it. Again. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo just became the most decorated Winter Olympian of all time. 2.  NORWAY REMAINS THE GOLD STANDARD Emulating the nordic country's holistic approach to fitness and recreation is a key to world-class performance We at Expedition Detroit are outspoken fans of Norway's approach to leading an active, outdoor lifestyle - on a national scale. In 2023, I had the opportunity to visit my younger brother who had just moved to a small village in Norway called Rissa, near Trondheim. The irony of that trip was that we never ended up meeting - Rissa was so remote that the dates of my trip didn't coincide with the limited ferry schedule. I waved at him across the Trondheim Fjord. Instead, I met something unexpected across the country's trails and parks: the concept of " Friluftsliv ," a uniquely Norwegian approach to fostering a year-round outdoor culture, quality of life, and national heritage. On a basic level, friluftsliv means prioritizing outdoor activity in every season, condition, and stage in life. Regardless of whether you're simply eating dinner outside or training for a record-breaking Olympic run, the cultural emphasis on interweaving outdoor recreation into the minutiae of everyday life has had a transformative effect on one of the world's coldest and darkest countries. Norway consistently ranks as as one of the world's happiest countries , has the longest life expectancy in Europe, has one of the lowest rates of deaths from treatable causes among Europe, and 75% of its population is categorized as being "in good health." The 2026 Winter Olympics further emphasized the colossal impact that establishing outdoor recreation as a core component of your cultural identity can have. Norway decisively won the official count at 41 total medals - 8 more than second-place U.S.A. - with 18 gold medals in total. Better yet, cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo broke multiple records during the games, including most gold medals won at a single Winter Olympics (6) and most career gold medals won by any Winter Olympic athlete (11). He now only trails Michael Phelps as the most decorated Olympian of all time. After returning from that 2023 Norway trip, we published an article regarding how the Detroit region could benefit from adopting Norway's friluftsliv concept into our regional identity . Now that we've all just witnessed that country's Olympic dominance broadcast in primetime, we figured now was an ideal time to reiterate just how transformative outdoor recreation could be for our region. As one of my favorite authors Robin Sharma penned, " Success lies in a masterful consistency around the fundamentals. " Such paradigm shifts like friluftsliv have bestowed untold blessings upon Norway. We can reap the same rewards here in Detroit. Ski Mountaineering - or "Skimo" - debuted at the 2026 Winter Olympics 3.  RECREATION GOES HAND-IN-HAND WITH INNOVATION As global sport continues to innovate and evolve, Detroit region athletes have unprecedented opportunities to break into new recreational pursuits Huddled around a bar in Bologna, Italy, a few of my closest friends and I joked about which Olympic sport - if we had 3 years to train without any other responsibilities - we believed we could actually qualify for. Most of the crew reasonably elected sports like handball and water polo. I opted for a different approach. " Biathlon ," a said to a chorus of raised eyebrows. " If I were Scandinavian I wouldn't have a chance, but as an American that loves cross-country skiing and is a decent shot, I think I could do it. " As is tradition for close friends, they immediately ripped my case to shreds. After watching the biathlon events at the Milan-Cortina Games, I largely agree with them. If that conversation were to happen today , however, I would have a new answer. One that's based not only on personal Strava data and race results, but personal, life-long interests. Ski Mountaineering, aka "Skimo." A hybrid of sprint trail running and downhill skiing . Two of my personal favorite recreational past times, fused into a glorious, ~3 minute race for Olympic glory. Alright , so maybe I wouldn't be able to reach "Olympic-level" in that sport either ( a man can dream though, damn it! ). Nonetheless, I whole-heartedly believe that other adventure athletes from the Detroit region could - especially given our plethora of skiing destinations and steep trail ascents perfectly suited for skimo training. As Michigan-based and gold medalist skier Kaila Kuhn, as well as Michigan-based Olympic snowboarders Jake Vedder and Nick Baumgartner, consistently prove, you don't need to hail from a "mountain state" to excel at a world-class level in "mountain sports." In fact, most of the skimo athletes in this year's Olympic debut of the sport were conventional trail runners vs. skimo-specific athletes. While I am admittedly not a professional trainer (or athlete), I do have practical knowledge that you can systemically train for perceivably "out of region" recreational pursuits utilizing your "in region" amenities. Here in the Detroit region, our hundreds of trail miles following rugged glacial moraines provide optimal, accessible, and presumably more affordable training venues than conventional "out west" destinations. I trained for my 2024 summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro entirely on such trails in the Detroit region, which surprised many of the team that I trekked with. Our regional events like the Huron 100 and Milford Century Challenge annually humble world-class ultramarathoners and bikers that underestimate our terrain. As the wide world of sport continues to evolve, "off the beaten path" recreational destinations like Metro Detroit should be regarded as prime destinations for "recreational innovation." While we're already renown for our skating-related training facilities, our parks and trails could also constitute hallowed training grounds for future skimo, Olympic mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and dare we say, biathlon athletes. Snow covered Alpine Valley Ski Resort in White Lake, Michigan 4.  THE INVALUABLE ASSET OF WINTER A true "Detroit winter" unlocks potential recreational opportunities on an Olympic scale Let's call a spade a spade: a "Detroit winter" is not for everyone. Despite our best efforts to sing winter's praises from especially a recreational perspective, the majority mindset across the Great Lakes as a whole is that winter is a "necessary evil" for unlocking the bounty of the other seasons. What a shame. I pray for the day that our region overwhelmingly recognizes the blessing of living and recreating within an objectively cold and snow-covered natural environment. Recreationists living in Colorado and Utah would've been willing to do who-knows-what to experience the powder that blanketed Metro Detroit throughout January and early February. And guess what - as the prognosis for warmer winters across the country, but especially  out west, continues to worsen, the envy of our lake effect snow will gradually become ever more palpable. Image courtesy of the Washington Post As the above maps demonstrates, accessible training venues for the winter olympics is heavily concentrated in northern climates - and especially in the great lakes, northeast, and sporadically across the mountain west region. While indoor venues will obviously remain unaffected, the availability of natural outdoor venues will become more of a luxury. A blessing that a true " Detroit winter " currently affords our regional athletes, and one that could be used to draw hopeful Olympians to our state just as our world-class skating facilities have done for decades. Especially given Metro Detroit's ample supply of downhill skiing resorts, nordic skiing trails , and thousands of acres of rolling, snow-covered terrain - all within an hour's drive of the Motor City. We'd like to close our this article by thanking not only the U.S.' olympic athletes, but every country's athletes, coaches, training staff, and volunteers that made the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics possible - and so enjoyable to watch. Getting up in the morning, making a fresh espresso, and watching the greatest winter athletes on earth competing at the highest level was a highlight of every day during the games. I can honestly say that I'm experiencing olympic withdrawals as I'm typing these words We're far from being alone in this sentiment. Over 23.5 million Americans tuned into the Winter Olympics every day, making it the most-watched Winter Olympics in over a decade. Wow. What a stage for Metro Detroit's Olympians to shine on. Thank you for inspiring us, Olympians. We can't wait to see you compete again in a short 4 years.

The powder is BACK in Detroit, inspiring the multitude of our resident Strava athletes to clip into their skis and hit the trails! Wondering where they might be heading? In this first installment of our new #AccordingtoStrava series, we highlight the " 5 Most Popular Trails for Nordic Skiing near Detroit " per Strava data - as well as recommended gear and tips for new skiers! In a world where the term "social media" is increasingly synonymous with the term "brain rot," one platform continues to rise above the rest. And not just in terms of posted elevation gain. Strava - the not-so-secret obsession of adventure athletes, gym rats, and casual dog walkers alike - has taken the digital fitness landscape by storm. Driven largely by the post-Covid wellness boom and its community-driven features, the leading social and tracking platform for endurance and outdoor sports has grown from roughly 40 million users in 2019 to over 150 million by the end of 2025 . In financial terms, Strava enjoys close to $500 million in annual recurring revenue and is eying a potential initial public offering for existing shareholders. And yes, Strava has even informally waded into the " dating app genre " for those seeking alcohol-free and fitness-focused dating. While all of those data points are both fascinating and encouraging, none of those facts alone fuels Expedition Detroit's fascination with the app. For our team, it's actually one very simple aspect of Strava that consistently inspires our long runs, prompts our research, and sets our adventure senses ablaze: The Strava heat map . Yes. That's it. That one feature which maps not only the location and frequency of your adventures, but also the global Strava community across several genres of adventure sports. For example, check out this heat up of nordic skiing in the, well, nordic countries : Heat map of nordic skiing activity in southern Norway and Sweden Fascinating, right?! Well, at least we think so. But beyond fueling our adventure wanderlust and map obsession, studying the Detroit region's global heat map regarding different recreational pursuits provides invaluable insights into where our resident adventure athletes are exploring. Especially the "next generation" of post-Covid athletes that comprise the majority of Strava's rapidly-expanding community. Now that you're a Strava expert, we'd like to formally introduce a heat map-inspired new series from Expedition Detroit : " According to Strava ." Each installation will showcase the 5 most popular destinations for certain recreational activities based on current Strava data, starting with these "5 Most Popular Trails for Nordic Skiing near Detroit." If you're a nordic/cross-country skier looking for more trail inspo, you've found the right article. If you're single and looking for the best destinations to meet a fitness-minded partner, then you've definitely found the right series. Kudos to you, Detroit. Let's get into it. GET OUT THERE: 5 Best Trails for Nordic Skiing Near Detroit The Detroit region is no stranger to world-class nordic skiing trails. In fact, most - if not all - of our Michigan State, Huron-Clinton Metropark, and regional parks feature top-tier nordic skiing ( also referred to as cross-country skiing ) trails near Detroit. Our state's long winters, scenic forests, rolling hills, and notable demographics with Scandinavian ancestry  lend itself to our winters' favorite pastime. That being said, not all nordic skiing trails near Detroit are created equal when it comes to Strava users. Blame it on our recent stretch of warm winters or regional prioritization of other recreational activities, but our region's nordic skiing heat map is significantly more condensed than other sports like running, cycling, or hiking. On the positive side, that makes our job notably easier since the "hot spots" shine brighter than the beacons of Minas Tirith. If you're ready to start reeling in the "kudos" on your nordic skiing adventures for Winter 2026, then here are the Detroit region's top 5 most popular trails for nordic skiing near Detroit ( feat. corresponding AllTrails maps): 5.    HUDSON MILLS CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING TRAIL    |    Hudson Mills Metropark    |    Dexter, MI Distance :  3.2 miles Elevation Gain :  135 ft. Route Type : Loop(s) Trail Rating : Moderate Spoiler alert: the Huron-Clinton Metroparks are, without a doubt, the go-to destinations within the Detroit region for Strava's resident nordic skiers. Our "Top 5" list kicks off at Dexter's Hudson Mills Metropark , where the park's investment in maintaining a seasonal " cross-country skiing trail " along its Main Loop and Rapids View Loop trails has clearly accomplished its mission in attracting nordic skiers to the metropark. 4.    SPRINGLAKE, TED GRAY, AND LAKESHORE LOOP TRAIL    |    Independence Oaks County Park    |    Village of Clarkston, MI Distance :  3.3 miles Elevation Gain :  252 ft. Route Type : Loop Trail Rating : Moderate Making its grand Expedition Detroit debut - and the only non-Metropark on this list - is Independence Oaks County Park ! While this Oakland County Park regularly makes lists of "Best Hiking Trails in Michigan" for its celebrated Springlake Trail, both that trail and its larger system have also attracted nordic skiers on Strava to its glistening lakeside views and rolling, forested terrain. The trail's heart-racing climbs, notable descents, and manageable 5K distance make the loop an idyllic experience for nordic skiers of all experience levels. 3.    FOX TRAIL AND CHICKADEE LOOP TO WILDWING LOOP TRAILS    |    Kensington Metropark    |    Milford Township, MI Distance :  4.5 miles Elevation Gain :  206 ft. Route Type : Loop Trail Rating : Moderate With its abundance of 4,481 acres of wooded, rolling terrain - all set against the backdrop of stunning Kent Lake - the recreational crown jewel that is Kensington Metropark was bound to be popular with the Detroit region's nordic skiers. While the heat map pictured clearly shows that the entirety of the Metropark's natural trail system is popular for nordic skiing, the park has more than 12 miles of trails that are specifically designated for nordic skiing in the winter months. We've highlighted Kensington's beloved " Fox Trail and ChicKadee Loop to Wildwing Loop " interconnected trails as our recommended nordic skiing route. 2.    WEST BRANCH LOOP TRAIL    |    Stony Creek Metropark    |   Rochester, MI Distance :  4.6 miles Elevation Gain :  203 ft. Route Type : Loop Trail Rating : Moderate While Kensington may have a slight edge in acreage over Stony Creek Metropark , Stony Creek's 4,435 scenic acres do appear to attract slightly more nordic skiers to its rugged western trails! Stony Creek boasts over 13 miles of marked and groomed traditional nordic skiing trails, covering level to hilly terrain. The Metropark's famous mountain bike trails are open to both nordic skiing and snowshoeing, while the snow-glazed trails on the Stony Creek Metropark Golf Course are exclusively for nordic/cross-country skiing. There is no hiking or snowshoeing allowed on the nordic-specific ski trails. 1.    BEECH ALLEY AND MALTBY VISTA LOOP TRAILS    |    Huron Meadows Metropark    |    Brighton, MI Distance :  5.0 miles Elevation Gain :  216 ft. Route Type : Loop Trail Rating : Easy Ladies and gentlemen, this is it: the undisputed, premiere destination for nordic skiing in Southeast Michigan. As Strava data clearly supports, Huron Meadows Metropark is THE most popular destination for nordic skiing near Detroit! Why is the metropark so popular? Well, Huron Meadows is one of just a few parks in Southeast Michigan that offers skate-style and classically groomed nordic ski trails. Skiers can choose from more than 15 miles of trails groomed for tracked, classic skiing over easy to moderate terrain, or more than 11 miles of trails groomed for skate-style skiing on moderate terrain with rolling hills. Huron Meadows also showcases the following : Three high efficiency snow guns and puts snow down on a 2.4km loop. The main loop is lit until 8:00pm each night. The only nordic skiing destination in southern Michigan where skate-skiing gear can be rented. Home of Frosty Fest: the " Frosty Freestyle and Krazy Klassic " cross-country ski races. GEAR UP: Nordic Skiing Gear Essentials One of our core principles includes writing every Expedition Detroit article from a place of authenticity. " If you haven't lived it, then don't write about it, " which is our shorthand iteration of the Henry David Thoreau quote " How vain it is to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live." This expectant level of authenticity is especially relevant here since, as I mentioned before, nordic skiing is entirely new to the Expedition Detroit platform. As such, if you are planning on tapping into nordic skiing near Detroit this winter for the first time, then guess what - we're right there along with you. This article is meant exactly for you, because we're living and experiencing cross-country skiing right alongside you. Since we just purchased our first nordic skiing gear ever, this article provides our dollar-backed, top-of-market selections for the best nordic skiing duds currently being offered. Let's get into it. Photo courtesy of Recreational Equipment, Inc. The Essentials: Nordic Skis, Boots, and Poles Let's start with one massive positive about nordic skiing near Detroit. The sport is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than downhill resort or backcountry skiing , both in terms of the average cost of equipment and accessibility (i.e., no lift tickets). All that's really required is a moderate upfront investment in " The Essentials " of skis, boots, and poles; after that, you can either utilize typical winter recreational clothing that you already own or splurge to look like a Norwegian olympian on the trails. NORDIC SKIS: Spider 62 Crown Xtralite Cross-Country Skis with TURNAMIC Bindings Brand : Fischer Cost : $369 Skiing Style : Classic Nordic Technical Features : Wood cores utilize lightweight air-channeled wood for a lively feel and durable construction. Progressive-depth Offtrack Crown pattern provides optimal grip and glide when touring and climbing in a wide range of snow conditions TURNAMIC bindings are compatible with TURNAMIC, NNN® and Prolink® touring and race boot soles. NORDIC BOOTS:   XC 2 Cross-Country Ski Boots Brand : Rossignol Cost : $159.95 Skiing Style : Classic Nordic Technical Features : Tall cuffs and zip-up lace covers seal out snow, while foam linings wrap your feet for warmth. Touring-specific soles and lateral heel supports provide stability for all-around trail skiing. Touring soles feature flexible central inserts that reinforce comfort without reducing overall stiffness and torsional rigidity, which add stability while skiing. Thermo-adjustable liners can be heat-molded around your feet for a customized fit and comfort. POLES:   Focus Nordic Cross-Country Ski Poles Brand : Swix Cost : $28 Skiing Style : Classic Nordic or Cross-Country Skiing Technical Features : Cylindrical aluminum shafts provide added strength. Classic touring handles have adjustable straps. Medium/large universal baskets work well in and out of groomed tracks. Weight: shaft weight only: 110 g per meter; overall weight varies by size Sold as a pair. For more details on correct nordic ski equipment sizing, check out this excellent sizing guide from our affiliate partner REI. Note that this gear only covers "Classic Nordic Skiing" as opposed to other variations, such as " Skate Skiing. " This is intentional since classic cross-country skiing represents the more accessible and predominant form of skiing across the Detroit region's vast trail system. Classic nordic skiing involves a straight-line stride called either a "diagonal stride" or "kick and glide," while skate skiing's movements look like a speed skater on ice and utilize a slimmer, shorter ski. Staying Warm : Layered Clothing As the famous Norwegian saying goes, " There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing ." For winter weather, you should always dress in layers , especially for the cooler-to-freezing temperatures that fluctuate in the Detroit region during the winter. Here's a refresher on layering : Base Layer ("underwear layer") : Arguably the most important layer; the goal is to wick sweat off your skin. For nordic skiing near Detroit, midweight long underwear is a good choice for all-around use. Lightweight is best for mild conditions and heavyweight for below-freezing temps. Look for fabrics like polyester or wool that wick perspiration away from your skin and dry quickly. Middle Layer ("insulating layer") : Should retain body heat to protect you from the cold. In general, thicker/puffier equals warmer . For your upper body, most skiers prefer a puffy down or synthetic insulated jacket . If you prefer fleece , make sure your jacket is heavyweight fleece. Outer Layer ("shell layer") : Largely weather-dependent; shields you from wind and rain and provides extra insulation. In winter, it is important to have a fully waterproof jacket rather than merely water resistant. However, these also need to be breathable so that perspiration wicked away by your base layer can escape. Nordic ski pants typically have a windproof material in the front and breathable, stretchy material in back. You should also add in a few "accessory items" to your winter clothing kit. These include a basic wool or synthetic beanie , insulated gloves with waterproof/breathable shells, glasses or googles, and non-cotton socks . With regard to socks, extra-thick pairs will not keep your feet warm if your boots become too tight. Snow-covered banks of the Huron River at Proud Lake Recreation Area HIT THE TRAILS: Nordic Skiing Tips for Beginners Before signing off on this article, we wanted to close by sharing the following nordic skiing etiquette, safety tips, and best practices as prepared by the talented team at REI . Each of these best practices are key not only for enjoying your time traversing the Detroit region's celebrated trails, but also mitigating your exposure to serious health risks like injury, frostbite and hypothermia : PROACTIVELY STAY WARM . Don't wait to adjust layers if you're getting cold, especially in your extremities. Also adjust layers if you're sweating a lot because excess moisture can chill you. It's wise to bring hand warmers, foot warmers, and a vacuum bottle filled with a warm beverage. DON'T TRY TO TOUGH IT OUT . If you feel your fingers or toes getting cold, stop and take the time to check on them and warm them up. Placing cold fingers in your armpits or cold toes on a partner’s warm stomach are good ways to warm up. Using hand warmer and toe warmer packets is also effective. FALL SOFTLY . Even expert skiers take the occasional tumble. If possible, though, avoid sticking out your poles or wrists when you fall because that increases the chances of injury or damage to gear. Rolling sideways is generally a good tactic, though that assumes you have enough control to do so, and that you don't roll into a tree or other hazard. START ON EASY TRAILS . Most nordic skiing trail systems follow standard rating designations: green for beginner, blue for intermediate, and black for expert. Avoid blue or black trails at first, because you'll be more likely to fall on them, which isn't a great outcome for you, nor for the faster, more experienced skiers who use those trails and who will have to ski around you. YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY . Go the correct direction on any trail marked as a one-way route. On two-way trails, uphill skiers yield to downhill skiers (who have less control). If you're slow, keep an eye out for faster skiers overtaking you and move to the side if that simplifies their skiing past. If you're fast, alert slower skiers as you approach and, if possible, try to ski around so they don't have to move aside. POLES AREN'T BRAKES . Never stick your poles out ahead of you to slow down because that can cause injury or break your poles. To slow down when skiing on flat terrain (where you should start out as a beginner), simply coast to a stop. SHUFFLE AND GLIDE . Once your skis are on, start to move with a slow shuffle down the tracks (like a slow walk). Then, after two shuffles, shift and center your weight on the front ski, gliding for a short distance. Continue ahead, using a shuffle, shuffle, glide cadence. This is the basic kick-and-glide motion of nordic skiing. Shuffle & Glide; video courtesy of Recreational Equipment, Inc. This article contains affiliate links that align with Expedition Detroit's Disclosures Policy. This article does not constitute an endorsement by Expedition Detroit of any of the featured equipment or destinations for nordic skiing near Detroit.

From Canton to Cortina and the Mitten to Milan, here are the 12 Olympic athletes from Metro Detroit representing the red, white, and blue during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy! Crisp Alpine air cuts through a sleepy mountain town in the Italian Dolomites. It may be mid-summer in the little town of Cortina D'Ampezzo, but a subtle chill hiding in the early morning air hints at colder days to come. Colder - yet immensely more exciting - days that are impatiently waiting just a short 7 months away. While Cortina represented the starting line of my crew's summertime backpacking trek into the Dolomites, this stunning alpine city would constitute the finish line for a lifetime's worth of sacrifice, achievement, and dreams for hundreds of athletes in the near future. The five-colored rings, set in the foreground of a jaw-dropping vista left no doubt to the significance, of this city: the 2026 Winter Olympics were coming to Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo. Now, as I strike these keys, the games are already here. The Olympic Rings in Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy July 2025 I would certainly not be the last Michigander to gaze upon those rings and dramatic backdrop. In fact, there are 28 Michigan-based athletes competing in the Winter Olympics this month, representing not only the United States but Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden. Of those Olympians, 12 are Detroit region residents, making our region one of the largest producers of participating athletes across the entire United States. One of the many mantras of Team Expedition Detroit is that "Winter is one of the Detroit region's greatest assets." Multiple feet of snow unlocks world-class skiing and snowboarding conditions at our "Big Four" ski resorts. Fresh powder also transforms our stunning local trails into destinations for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing adventures. On top of all of that, medical studies have proven that the coldest and darkest months of the year are critical for building endurance and strengthening mental resiliency. Now, on the grandest stage of them all, our region's cadre of Olympians provide yet another metric for how blessed we are to have "true Michigan winters" here in Metro Detroit. Regional amenities and facilitates that have made our corner of the Great Lakes a general training ground for olympic hopefuls. Ready to meet your hometown Olympic heroes, Detroit?! Here are the 12 Olympians from Metro Detroit competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, including key dates and stats for you to track throughout the Games! Evan Bates and partner Madison Chock; Photo courtesy of Getty Images EVAN BATES | Figure Skating Ann Arbor, Michigan A living figure skating legend - still in the prime of his career - seeks to cement legacy in 5th Olympics appearance. Along with his skating partner (and wife) Madison Chock, Ann Arbor-based ice dancer Evan Bates will compete for the U.S. as one of Michigan's most decorated Olympians. Chock and Bates were gold medalists in the team event and finished fourth in the individual event at the 2022 Games in Beijing, their only Olympic appearance. They've since won three gold medals in the world championships (2023-25) and, in all, a record seven U.S. national championships (2015, 2020, 2022-26). Bates also attended the University of Michigan and graduated in 2013. KEY DATES: Team rhythm dance: February 6th - 1st Place Finish Team free dance: February 7th - 1st Place Finish Individual rhythm dance: February 9th Individual free dance: February 11th CHRSTINA CARREIRA | Figure Skating Saint Clair, Michigan Recently-minted American making her Olympics debut. Carreira was born in Montreal but moved to Novi when she was in middle school, and now calls St. Clair home. She and her skating partner, Anthony Ponomarenko, earned bronze at the 2026 U.S. Championships, sending them to their first Olympics. Carreira got her U.S. citizenship in Detroit in 2025, making her eligible to compete in the Olympics. KEY DATES: Team rhythm dance: February 6th Team free dance: February 7th Individual rhythm dance: February 9th Individual free dance: February 11th KYLE CONNOR | Men's Ice Hockey Shelby Township, Michigan NHL veteran and 2022 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner making official Olympics debut. Forward Kyle Connor is a 10-year NHL veteran, having spent his entire career with the Winnipeg Jets. But before he carved out his career in the Great White North, Connor began his hockey career in Michigan, growing up in Shelby Township and playing at the University of Michigan. KEY DATES: U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th Knockout round play-off: February 17th Quarterfinals: February 18th Semifinals: February 20th Gold-medal game: February 21st CONNOR HELLEBUYCK | Men's Ice Hockey Commerce Township, Michigan First American-born goaltender to ever win the Hart Trophy making Olympic debut. Not to be outdone by his teammate (and fellow Connor), goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been in Winnipeg for 11 seasons. And though he was born and raised in Commerce Township, Hellebuyck played his college hockey at the University of Massachusetts before his NHL career started. KEY DATES: U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th Knockout round play-off: February 17th Quarterfinals: February 18th Semifinals: February 20th Gold-medal game: February 21st JACK HUGHES | Men's Ice Hockey Canton, Michigan The latest installment of a family Olympic heritage making first debut at the games. Center Jack Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida, and grew up in Toronto before settling in Canton for high school while playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth Hughes was drafted No. 1 overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2019 and earned All-Star Game nods in 2022 and 2023. He and older brother Quinn both made the Olympic roster, though younger brother Luke, also with the Devils, didn't make the cut. KEY DATES: U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th Knockout round play-off: February 17th Quarterfinals: February 18th Semifinals: February 20th Gold-medal game: February 21st QUINN HUGHES | Men's Ice Hockey Canton, Michigan Decorated NHL hockey player and older Hughes brother competing in first Olympic Games. Hughes, best known as a Norris Trophy winner with the Vancouver Canucks, was recently traded to the Minnesota Wild in one of the biggest NHL transactions of the 2025-26 season. Quinn's Michigan bona fides run a little deeper than his brothers', as he played at U-M from 2017-19 before heading to the NHL. Hughes earned All-Star Game nods in 2020 and 2024. Like his brother, he has represented Team USA before, but never in the Olympics. KEY DATES: U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th Knockout round play-off: February 17th Quarterfinals: February 18th Semifinals: February 20th Gold-medal game: February 21st MEGAN KELLER | Women's Ice Hockey Farmington Hills, Michigan Veteran making third games appearance for the U.S., seeking 3rd medal (and second gold) in this year's Winter Olympics. Megan Keller of Farmington is one of the most decorated college hockey players of all time and one of the first stars of the PWHL, as she currently plays for the Boston Fleet. She also participated in the 2018 and 2022 Olympics for Team USA, earning gold in her first go-round and silver in her second. KEY DATES: U.S. vs. Czechia: February 5th - Win 5-1 U.S. vs. Finland: February 7th - Win 5-0 U.S. vs. Switzerland: February 9th U.S. vs. Canada: February 10th Quarterfinals: February 13 - 14th Semifinals: February 16th Gold-medal game: February 19th DYLAN LARKIN | Men's Ice Hockey Waterford, Michigan Waterford native and Detroit Red Wings Captain making his Olympic debut. A true "Michigan Man" who needs no introduction. Not only is Larkin the team captain for the Detroit Red Wings, but he was also born in Waterford Township and played a season at the University of Michigan. He has also played for Team USA dating back to junior events in 2013 and will undoubtedly play a key role in his first-ever Olympics. KEY DATES: U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th Knockout round play-off: February 17th Quarterfinals: February 18th Semifinals: February 20th Gold-medal game: February 21st KIRSTEN SIMMS | Women's Ice Hockey Plymouth, Michigan Collegiate ice hockey star making first Winter Olympics appearance for Team USA. Kirsten Simms of Plymouth is still in college at the University of Wisconsin, but the two-time NCAA champion is already a key player on Team USA's roster having competed on two World Cup teams and winning the gold medal over Canada at the 2025 World Cup. Simms led the country in scoring with 71 points in 36 games for the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2023-24 season and scored the NCAA championship-winning goal for Wisconsin over Ohio State in the 2025 NCAA tournament. KEY DATES: U.S. vs. Czechia: February 5th - Win 5-1 U.S. vs. Finland: February 7th - Win 5-0 U.S. vs. Switzerland: February 9th U.S. vs. Canada: February 10th Quarterfinals: February 13 - 14th Semifinals: February 16th Gold-medal game: February 19th JAKE VEDDER | Snowboard Cross Pinckney, Michigan Olympic veteran and global ambassador for Detroit region adventure sports seeking first Olympic medal. Pinckney's Jake Vedder has represented Team USA in snowboarding since the 2016 Youth Olympics, in which he brought home gold in the snowboard cross event. He entered the 2022 Beijing Olympics as an alternate but ended up competing, finishing sixth in snowboard cross while replacing injured Alex Deibold. KEY DATES: Men's Snowboard Cross: February 12th Mixed Team Snowboard Cross: February 15th EXPLORE PINCKNEY RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT ZACH WERENSKI | Men's Ice Hockey Grosse Point Woods, Michigan Columbus Blue Jackets veteran suiting up for the first time with a different red, white, and blue jersey in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Grosse Pointe's Zach Werenski nearly completed the coveted "Michigan hockey trifecta" – native, college, and professional – but has played his NHL career entirely for the Columbus Blue Jackets, about 3½ hours south of Detroit. Werenski has competed with the United States dating back to his U17 days, and this will be his first Olympic Games with Team USA. KEY DATES: U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th Knockout round play-off: February 17th Quarterfinals: February 18th Semifinals: February 20th Gold-medal game: February 21st EMILEA ZINGAS | Figure Skating Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan Former Cypriot athlete making Team USA debut at her first Winter Olympic games. Emilea Zingas has represented Cyprus in international competitions but was born in Grosse Pointe Farms and has represented the United States since 2022. She was named to her first Olympic team on Jan. 11 with her partner Vadym Kolesnik, who was born in Ukraine but currently lives in Novi where he trains with Zingas. KEY DATES: Team rhythm dance: February 6th Team free dance: February 7th Individual rhythm dance: February 9th Individual free dance: February 11th Countdown to 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina D'Ampezzo On behalf of the entire Detroit region, we'd like to congratulate our resident athletes on qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo. Each of you make us extremely proud, not only for your success but also for the pride that you bring to our region. Best of luck. Give it your all. And know that we're already celebrating your success back home. U-S-A! U-S-A!