Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition focuses on a highlight reel of Proud Lake State Recreation Area through an Expedition Detroit-designed route: the "Expedition Loop." Join us as we proudly present this new Proud Lake loop that's quickly becoming a fan favorite!
"Not too long. Not too short. Just a perfect 5K length."
Those were our marching orders when planning the July 2024 meetup for "Women in Milford," the preeminent organization for supporting and women-led entrepreneurship and small business in the Milford, Michigan area. We quickly selected Proud Lake, with its relatively flat yet diverse terrain, as the perfect destination for a community-focused networking event. The park's close proximity to Milford also provided the ideal opportunity to showcase a local outdoor gem.
We only had one logistical issue: our guided day trip offerings at Proud Lake we either too short or too long for the outing. Our "Proud Lake Marsh Loop" guided hike provides the perfect 1.25 mile nature loop for beginner hikers, and our "Proud Lake Grand Tour" day trip features 5.6 miles of the best hiking in the park. For the every day hiker, either of these tours would've sufficed. But this was a bespoke outing requiring a unique trail solution.
Better yet, this was a perfect opportunity to flex one of our favorite Expedition Detroit muscles: outdoor experience innovation.
"Alright, I've got this. Let's create a new route for you guys."
Utilizing AllTrails' "Create Map" feature, I quickly plotted out a 5K (3.12 mile) route for the WiM outing. While this may sound impressive to some, this route was actually years in the making. In a past life, this served as my "Anti-Burnout Route" - a great escape from regular 18 hour workdays as a mergers & acquisitions attorney. Proud Lake was located exactly 1 mile from my home office at the time, so it provided my near daily refuge during that grueling phase of life.
If only burnt-out me knew that those hours spent on Proud Lake's trails were for so much more than just keeping my sanity in check. That the resulting familiarity with Proud Lake's hidden gems would translate into curating a transformative trail experience for the Detroit region's outdoor community. That an expertise was developing through the agony of endless billable hours.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is the genesis of this #TrailTuesday feature: the Proud Lake "Expedition Loop."
Born out of desperation for an outdoor escape.
Charted for maximum recreational enjoyment.
It's our pleasure to premiere the Expedition Loop here, starting with a spotlight on Proud Lake State Recreation Area.
MEET PROUD LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA
Those of you who have been following our content for 2 years - AKA the greatest people alive - should know that the Expedition Detroit team does not shy away from our infatuation with Proud Lake State Recreation Area.
The park is named after the Proud family that originally farmed the land surrounding the Huron River during the 19th century. The Proud family then transferred ownership of the property to the Montclair Hunt Club in the 1920s, which erected a club house and cabins on the property. Members of the club also reportedly planted thousands of red pines on the property, many of which still stand today. The Michigan Department of Conservation acquired what would become "Proud Lake State Recreation Area" in 1944.
The Proud Lake of the 21st century consists of more than 3,000 acres, 30+ miles of trails, and several distinct habitats supporting the wildlife within its confines. The park provides represents a regional destination for trail running, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, and hunting.
And yes, the park even has overnight camping facilities in place. My father used to make an annual pilgrimage to Proud Lake's main campground in the 1960s with his youth church group. Around the same time, the Chief Pontiac Trail was inaugurated as the Detroit region's first backpacking trail, with Proud Lake providing the critical link between Highland State Recreation Area and Kensington Metropark. The Proud Lake mileage of the CPT remains its most popular segment to date.
While Proud Lake truly has something for everyone, here's a special insider tip: with a little intentionality, Proud Lake's most sought-after sites and beautiful trails can be experienced within a condensed loop. Especially with peak fall colors setting in, there's no better time to plan your next visit to Proud Lake along the Expedition Loop.
Let's get to the trail.
HIT THE TRAIL
Total Distance: 3.12 miles
Elevation Gain: 59 feet
Trail Rating: Easy
Route Orientation: Loop
Parking Specifics: Michigan Recreation Passport required for trailhead parking lot located at the Huron River Fishing Site east of Wixom Road
The Expedition Loop starts at one of the most picturesque trailheads throughout the Detroit region: the "Huron River Fishing Site" just east of Wixom Road. While extremely popular with paddlers and anglers looking to explore the Huron, this isolated trailhead is rarely utilized by hikers or trail runners despite its immediate access to Proud Lake's vast trail system.
In other words, don't let the potential crowds fool you - you'll have the trail to yourself in no time as you venture east along the southern bank of the Huron River.
The first 0.2 miles along the Huron River provide one of the most beautiful - yet hazardous - segments of the Expedition Loop. The forested bank of the Huron means dramatic drop-offs towards the water plus exposed roots galore. Just exert normal trail awareness and you'll complete this segment with nothing more than a newfound appreciation of the Huron's beauty.
The forested trail abruptly gives way to the pasture of Proud Lake's "Lower Pines Group Campground," the traditional overnight campgrounds of Chief Pontiac Trail thru-hikers. Other than bathroom facilities, this campground also provides an epic vista of the Huron River - your first of several Instagram-worth photo ops.
The trail crosses the campground in a southwest trajectory to continue towards Trail Marker #22 (just keep left until you reach the sign). From this point, the "loop" segment of the "Expedition Loop" truly begins. Turn left to venture into the boardwalk segment of the Expedition Loop, which constitutes the best opportunity for amphibian and reptilian wildlife viewing.
Caution: please WATCH YOUR STEP while on the boardwalks. Although traversable, several sections are in dire need of repair.
The 0.4 mile boardwalk segment gradually transitions from pure "marsh terrain" to heavily "forested terrain." The forested section has proved to be a recent fan favorite due to several fallen oak and maple trees, including the massive uprooted crater from a maple tree during August's high winds. The Montclair Hunting Club's living legacy of expert forestry is also on full display during this segment - the perfectly rowed red pines are still standing nearly a century after their planting.
You'll be treated to another Huron River panoramic vista at the 1 mile marker before reaching one of the gems of the trail: the Proud Lake Dam. Immensely popular with anglers, kayakers, and swimmers, this destination often represents one of Proud Lake's busiest. Pro tip: venture just over the bridge and take the first side trail on the right to find an isolated bench. This bench provides one of the most beautiful views of the Huron towards Proud Lake proper.
Back over the bridge, keep left to leave the crowds behind and regain serenity on the isolated 0.3 mile segment towards marker #8. This short section of the trail undoubtedly provides your best opportunity for rare wildlife viewing - the forested marshland just south of the Expedition Loop provides Proud Lake's largest area of undisturbed habitat.
Past trail marker #8, keep left up the sandy climb to start your journey along Proud Lake's famous "Marsh Loop." This 0.7 mile segment of the Expedition Loop follows the southern bank of the park's idyllic marsh and its highlight reel of sites, including the following hiker favorites:
Reflection bench just before trail marker #5
Panoramic wildlife viewing deck at mile marker 1.9 (featured above)
Swan-viewing side trail at mile marker 2.1
Stunning 0.3 miles of pristine boardwalk hiking
Best waterfowl and bird viewing opportunities along the entire Expedition Loop
EXPLORE PROUD LAKE'S MARSH TRAIL WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
Completing the Marsh Trail, you will cross the main park road as you venture due north back into the park's hardwoods. Don't get distracted by the hynpotic rows of red pines - the trail takes a sharp left turn at the 2.6 mile marker before an immediate right to close the "loop" portion of the Expedition Loop.
The final 0.3 miles of the Expedition Loop consist of briefly retracing your steps before continuing straight across the Upper Pines Group Campground. A short descent then ends your hike right where it began at Proud Lake's Huron River Fishing parking lot, along with the satisfaction of knowing that you've just completed a highlight reel of an adventure at one of the Detroit region's most beloved parks.
EXPLORE THE BEST OF PROUD LAKE ON THE NEW EXPEDITION LOOP TRAIL!
WEEKEND BONUS TIPS
Proud Lake is best experienced by foot AND paddle. Dare I say especially paddle when the Huron River is set fully ablaze by vibrant fall colors. Or during a light snowfall. Or whenever you are all but guaranteed to have the Proud Lake segment of the Huron River National Water Trail all to yourself.
I tested this hypothesis a few years ago with my trail pup Lucy. I took her out for a MLK Jr. Day winter paddle, launching from the Proud Lake Dam portage, venturing upstream until a barricade of ice at Proud Lake proper stopped us in our tracks, and then continuing downstream all the way to Milford Central Park. It was a long, stunningly beautiful, near-religious experience on the river, filled with unexpected wildlife sightings and perfectly still waters to paddle through.
Despite those sights and sounds, the most prominent memory that I have from that day involves two intrepid hikers who were cruising along the River Trail. We crossed paths a few times on our separate expeditions, and each interaction started with their same repetitive greeting:
"Damn, should've brought the kayak!"
Don't repeat their mistake. Finish your morning hike with an afternoon paddle. Strike envy in the hearts of your fellow outdoor enthusiasts. And, naturally, don't forget to finish your epic day with a cold one at River's Edge in Downtown Milford.
The #TrailTuesday Series idea started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast network. One of our main goals for this platform is to produce content that reflects the outdoor interests and desires of our community, so please continue to provide us with your suggestions via our contact form or here in the comments!
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