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Bowhunting season for whitetail deer is in full swing throughout the Detroit region! Here are the five essential bowhunting gear items that you will need to get you off of the couch and into the woods. #ExpeditionEssentials In case you missed it, Michigan and Ontario’s bowhunting seasons for whitetail deer kicked off on October 1st, while Ohio has been in-season since September 24th. For us Michigan hunters, the start of bow season is the de facto gateway to fall. Despite any lingering warm weather or mosquitos still reflecting summer, the changing leaves, crisp breezes, and diminishing crowds signal that the best time of the year to get in the woods has finally arrived. You just can’t beat spending a morning in a tree stand followed by watching the Spartans, Wolverines, or Lions in the afternoon (alright, maybe not the Lions…). If you are considering joining the bowhunting action this season - which we highly recommend, even if it’s just for the exercise, excuse to spend time in nature, or financially support the DNR - there are certain items that you will need to acquire before you step out into the woods. We have prepared the following list of essential bowhunting gear items, although you will also need to purchase the requisite hunting licenses from the DNR, research which public lands are open to hunting, and (most importantly) practice with your bow. Here are Expedition Detroit’s five essentials for bowhunting gear: 1. Fully-Outfitted Bow with Broadhead Arrows Regardless of whether you would prefer a compound bow or crossbow, you will need a bow with a draw weight of at least 30 lbs for harvesting a deer. Your bow should include certain technical features that are intended to assist accuracy, stealth, and arrow transport, such as a stabilizer, sight, peep hole, string silencers, D Loop, arrow rest, and detachable quiver. For hunting, your fletched arrows will require broadheads for the infliction of lethal wounds (do not use field points for hunting large game - field points should be used predominantly for target practice). Bonus Item: Archery Release Most hunters would consider a trusted archery release mechanism to be a near-essential item, and we whole-heartedly agree. Most hunters carry an “index finger release” into the woods with them, seeing as such releases have a similar feel to pulling the trigger of a firearm, although “thumb releases” and “back tension releases” are also widely used. 2. Camouflaged Clothing. While it may seem simple enough to drop in to your local sporting goods store and purchase the first set of camouflaged clothing on the rack, there are several nuances that you should consider before pulling out your credit card. One of the most important considerations is purchasing the correct camo clothing items for the temperatures that you will be hunting in. Any experienced hunter can attest to October 1st and January 31st - the beginning and end of the bowhunting season in several Metro Detroit counties - having wildly different temperature ranges. As such, your camo repertoire should consist of items like lightweight shirts, pants, and baseball cap for early season conditions and base layers, a heavier shirt, thicker pants, gloves, beanie, and a warm, insulated jacket for late season. You should also consider the surrounding foliage or terrain of where you will be hunting when deciding on a specific pattern. Note: Bowhunters are only required to wear blaze orange outerwear during the regular firearm season (November 15th-30th in Michigan). Bonus Item: Camouflaged Stand Similar to your clothing, your hunting success will absolutely benefit from any additional actions taken to camouflage your stand. Fortunately, most ladder stands, climbing stands, and other ground blinds are already manufactured with camo patterns. However, using elements from the surrounding environment to further camouflage your stand will greatly enhance the concealment or any movement and likelihood that a deer will notice your stand. Camo netting and other manufactured tree stand camo accessories can also have a similar concealment effect. Note: Always wear a safety harness in any elevated stand. 3. Hunting Boots Nothing ends a hunt faster than cold, wet feet, other than perhaps a rolled ankle. A sturdy, waterproof, and well-insulated pair of hunting boots resolves both of these problems before stepping into the field. Comfort is obviously the most important factor when considering which hunting boot to purchase, but you should also review a boot’s ankle support, tread, weight, and weather-specific features like insulation and waterproofing. In other words, a solid pair of hunting boots should make you feel indestructible while in the field. Bonus Item: Foot and Hand Warmers Regardless of how warm my hunting clothing and boots are, nothing beats a stash of strategically-placed hand and foot warmers on those bone-chilling mornings. I like to place hand warmers in my gloves (certain gloves have compartments specifically for hand warmers), torso pockets of my jacket, and mid-thigh pockets in my pants. Foot warmers for your boots are also essential on those days when winter decides to crash the fall hunting party. Your toes will thank you as you’re following a bright-red blood trail through the snow. 4. Hunting Knife Other than your bow and arrows, a dependable hunting knife may be the most useful and versatile item of your bowhunting gear. While almost any knife will get the job done for field dressing, we strongly recommend acquiring a fixed-blade knife with a 3½ to 5-inch sturdy blade and gut-hook. We also recommend a simple knife sharpener to ensure that your blades are always sharp when you need them the most. Bonus Item: Field Dressing Kit You have successfully placed a lethal shot, tracked the blood trail, and have finally laid eyes upon the harvested animal. Congrats - but don’t celebrate too early. The closing phase of a glorious hunt is now before you, and you must field dress your harvested deer. We recommend carrying a small kit specifically intended for field dressing a deer into the woods with you (or at least in your car or ATV if nearby). Beyond your hunting knife, this kit should include latex gloves, a bone saw (may be included as a feature of your knife), plastic bags for preserving the heart and liver, paracord or rope for dragging the deer out of the woods (at least 25 ft.), and a gut hook (not necessary but helpful). Note: Always be sure to hold your knife so its blade faces up to avoid puncturing organs. There are few more disconcerting sounds in the field than the sound of a punctured stomach releasing its methane and other lovely smells directly into your nostrils… Click here with a helpful instructional video from MeatEater regarding how to field dress a deer. 5. Headlamp Headlamps are an essential item for most camping or backcountry expeditions, but I’d argue that a fully-charged headlamp is especially necessary for hunting. Regardless of what stage of the season you will be primarily hunting within, a full day’s hunt starts long before sunrise and often ends hours after the sun sets. Using a headlamp while loading and unloading your gear, getting in and out of your stand, and tracking wounded game is vital for not only efficient backwoods navigation, but freeing up your hands for the myriad of other tasks associated with a successful hunt. Bonus Item: Reflective Trail Markers Once you find your ideal stand locations, be sure to mark a trail in and out from your stand with reflective pins or similar markers. The goal here is that a first-time hunter should be able to find your stand with ease, so feel free to liberally mark your trail as needed to “idiot proof” the trail. Trust me, you do not want to be the guy who can’t find their stand on opening morning… yes, that’s a specific reference to a very specific lesson learned on my first opening day. In addition to these items, you must always carry identifying documents into the field (e.g., your driver’s license and hunting license), along with a fully-charged cell phone. Backpacks or similar carrying equipment can assist with carrying these essential items - as well as any other accessories that you may acquire in between your hunts - easily and efficiently into the woods. Best of luck this season!

Part triathlon training guide, part misadventure story, here are the "dos" and "don'ts" of competing in one of the most challenging, rigorous, and rewarding racing events that the outdoor world has ever concocted: the Triathlon. "Ohhhh my friend! Did you sign up yet??" I blankly stared at the text from my buddy Eric for a few seconds, knowing that my response would have to be "Yep!" despite, indeed, not signing up yet. To his credit, Eric had texted me about the sprint triathlon race several weeks prior, but I had been caught up in a little life event called "launching Expedition Detroit." I detest lying - even well-intentioned, harmless little ones - so I quickly registered for the race and shot back a confirmative text with a clear conscience. We had just signed up for Running Fit’s final “T-Rex Triathlon” event for last August - a sprint race consisting of a 0.5 mile swim, 12.4 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. As any longtime reader of this platform is well aware of, we at Expedition Detroit are outspoken supporters of Running Fit’s races. So it didn’t take much for Eric to twist my arm into signing up three days before race day. With Running Fit kicking off their 2023 "T-Rex Triathlon" season next Wednesday, May 31st, with the Stegosaurus Triathlon and Duathlon at Island Lake Recreation Area, we wanted to share this personal tale and educational article for all first-time triathletes diving head first into their new sport. Hopefully this article will catch you before you repeat our misguided approach to our race... How NOT to Complete a Triathlon - A Personal Tale I woke up on race day with the realization that I may have underestimated the consequences of my knee-jerk registration. Yes, I am an avid runner and mountain biker, but my swimming experience is largely limited to a few years on a swim team in elementary school, open water swims on beach vacations, and a few laps in my parents’ pool every now and then. I did not own a pair of goggles, let alone a swim cap, road bike, or tri-suit. What complicated matters further was that every retailer that I contacted mere hours before the race was either fresh out of tri-suits or closed (several had closed early for the event). The silver-lining in all of this was that, by the grace of God, Eric was just as unprepared. We would swim in REI trail shorts, complete the biking portion on our mountain bikes, and finally be on a somewhat-equal footing with the other competitors during the run. Cool. As I pulled into the parking lot at Kent Lake on race day, I could only laugh as I saw how unprepared I was compared to 90% of the other racers. While a typical hometown 5K has a broad range of experienced runners vs. those reaching the first milestone on their fitness journey, every athlete on the beach that evening looked like they were on track to race in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The gear? Immaculate. The suits? Definitely not trail shorts. The bikes? Tuned up for Le Tour de France. Again, I didn’t stop laughing as I placed my trusted REI Co-op Mountain Bike on the rack next to top-market, triathlon-specific racing bikes. “Just remember - the goal is to have fun.” I kept repeating that mantra to myself over and over, like a youth soccer coach knowing that their team is about to get absolutely smoked on the field. And yet, despite all of these glaring deficiencies that I was solely responsible for, my first triathlon was one of the most fun racing experiences that I’ve ever had. Yes, I was recklessly underprepared, but my general conditioning allowed me to finish the swim before my heat. I actually passed some road bikes on my mountain bike, and had plenty of gas left in the tank for comfortably finishing the 5K. Rather than crossing the finish line scarred for life, I found myself inspired to sign up for another race - but next time with a dramatically different approach. Triathlon Training Tips for Beginners “Intelligence” can be defined as “the ability to learn from your mistakes,” while “wisdom” comprises of “the ability to learn from the mistakes of others.” With regard to my first triathlon, I was anything but wise towards my training approach, although I gained some intelligence by learning precisely how not to complete a triathlon. That experience prompted my desire to research how a responsible triathlete would prepare for - and crush - a race. Now, allow me to provide some “intelligent wisdom” via five triathlon training tips that you should incorporate into your preparation - ideally long before the morning of race day: 1. Invest in Proper Gear Especially for sprint triathlons - where every second counts - investing a little extra time and money into proper clothing and equipment will pay dividends on race day. The essential clothing item is a pair of triathlon-specific shorts ("tri shorts"), which are moisture-wicking, typically offer enhanced ultraviolet sun protection, and contain a chamois pad that is thinner than regular bike-shorts for comfort during the run. There is also a full wetsuit alternative to the tri short for colder conditions, with triathlon-specific wetsuits being lighter and giving less resistance than normal wetsuits. Both tri-shorts and wetsuits should fit snugly on your body. Additional event specific gear includes the following: Swimming. We highly recommend that you acquire a swim cap and goggles. Optional gear includes a quick-dry towel, earplugs and nose plugs for the swim. Biking. Easily the most expensive category for gear purchases, we would advise purchasing at least a road bike for maximum versatility during both the event and generally road biking purposes. There are also triathlon-specific bikes that are more aerodynamic and utilize the hamstrings efficiently for energy preservation during both the biking and running phases, although these bikes are typically more expensive, difficult for maneuvering and braking, and uncomfortable for longer rides than road bikes. Other cycling equipment to purchase includes a helmet, cycling-specific shoes (if you have clip-in pedals), socks, gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, and repair tools (more necessary for longer races). Running. As you may have guessed, choosing the right running shoes is essential for success in any footrace, especially a triathlon where the run is at the tail-end of two other intensive events. I personally opt for trail-running shoes for most running events - I’m on my third pair of Hoka’s “Speedgoat” trail shoe series, which are light-weight, provide extra cushion for my tendency to heel-strike when racing, and have enough grip for use as both a trail and biking shoe. Additional running gear to consider depending on the length of race and race day conditions includes a hydration pack or belt, sunglasses, and lightweight running hat. 2. Complete a Training Regimen While my race demonstrated that you can comfortably complete a sprint triathlon with general swimming, biking, and running experience, we highly advise against this approach. Most weekend warrior distance athletes do not introduce the element of combined, sequential activities into their workouts, which is obviously a fundamental component of a triathlon. Outside Magazine’s Triathlete content - a gold mine for information pertaining to the triathlon universe - sponsors an 8-week Sprint triathlon training regimen intended to take athletes from couch to finish line. The prerequisite fitness metrics for starting the regimen include being able to swim 100 yards non-stop, 20 minutes of continuous cycling, and 10 minutes of continuous running. Each week contains 5 days of event-specific training workouts with specific instructions on distances and “perceived effort zones.” Following and completing a training regimen - especially with the gear referenced in step one above - will all but guarantee that you arrive at the beach on race day with optimal physical conditioning and confidence. 3. If Practical, Train On-Site One of the few elements working in my favor during my first triathlon was my familiarity with Island Lake Recreation Area. Had I swam half a mile into Kent Lake before? No, but I had regularly kayaked and paddle boarded into its relatively calm waters, in addition to the countless bikes and runs that I had completed on its roads and trails cover the last few years. This familiarity with the course enabled me to recover some lost time due to my serious equipment deficiencies, most notably on the biking segment (just ask some of the road bikers that I managed to burn past on uphill climbs). Especially if you live near the race site, we strongly advise conducting at least one regimen training workout for each event, per week, on-site. A material element in any race is a competitor’s mental state - familiarity with a particular course not only lessens race day jitters (and their corresponding mistakes), but can also be fundamental for implementing a strategic approach for planning speed bursts, navigating currents, and general pacing. If you are not able to train on-site, then at a minimum you should review course maps and elevation charts - bonus points if you find similar locations in your vicinity to train at. 4. Treat the Race as Starting during Race Week This may be an impossible ask, but there should be no surprises on race day. How does one accomplish such a feat? By treating the days before race day - and most importantly the night before - as critical stages of the actual event. Here’s a quick pre-race checklist, starting with larger lead-time to night-of items: Confirm that your bike is tuned up (REI is my go-to for routine bike tunings). Starting three nights before, eat normal-yet-balanced dinners. Try to incorporate protein (chicken, fish, turkey), healthy fat (avocados, nuts, olives), and a lot of carbohydrates (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans) into these meals. Starting with two nights before, prioritize getting a good night’s rest. Confirm your directions to the race site and parking location - nothing is worse than a pre-race parking scramble. Layout, label, and pack each item of your equipment. Bonus points if you put everything in the car the night before to minimize open variables on race day. Confirm that you have all credentials required for the registration packet pick-up, which is even more important if the event only has a race day pick-up option. This typically includes photo ID, registration or bib number, and your USA Triathlon membership number. Charge your fitness monitor. Especially if it’s a morning race, set more than one alarm via different means (e.g., phone, watch, alarm clock, early-bird partner). Again, I learned this one the hard way. 5. Good Vibes Only on Race Day You have completed two months of training. You have prepared your body and mind for this one great event. You have taken all of the prerequisite steps to minimize any unpleasant surprises during the race. Now, all that’s left is to relax, trust the journey that you have nearly-completed, and get your butt to the event! Practically speaking, every action that you take leading to the starting gate should be focused towards improving your mental state and optimism towards the race. At least two hours before the race, eat your favorite, nutritious pre-race meal. Dress in comfortable layers over your tri-suit. Arrive to the race location an hour early so that you can leisurely check-in at the registration booth, set up your transition area, and break the ice with other athletes in the area (avoid talking about training techniques - this is a Bar Exam tip that directly applies to endurance racing). Line up in your pacing corral of choice, recognize how cool and unique this crazy event is about to be, take a deep breath, and…enjoy the ride. BONUS - Post Race Tips Congrats - you’ve finished your first triathlon and have graduated from “rookie” status! After receiving your post-race finisher’s shirt and/or medal, be sure to keep walking around the finisher’s concourse while hydrating. Now is also the optimal time to stretch while your legs are still warm. Once you’re well-stretched and hydrated, your body will thank you if you bring warm, dry, and comfortable clothes to change into. Most racing companies (especially Running Fit) do an excellent job at creating festival-like environments around their events for both runners and spectators, so be sure to stick around for free or discounted snacks, beverages, and live music. Also, we all enjoy having a crowd cheer us on as we sprint towards the finish line - be sure to pay it forward and cheer on other finishers that are in the homestretch! Please note that this article is NOT a comprehensive list of all training tips, gear, and other considerations that you should take into account while considering or preparing for your first triathlon. The information provided in this article is intended to be supplementary to more detailed triathlon training regimens and advice that are available for review online, such as articles published by REI, Triathlon Lab, Active, and My Tri World.

Fall backpacking means less crowds, more colors, and better opportunities for trekking without summer's heat or bugs. Before you reach the trailhead, be sure to pack in these 10 essential gear items for your next Michigan backpacking adventure. #ExpeditionEssentials In the survivalist competition show “Alone” - which we highly recommend you binge if you haven’t been converted already - each contestant is allotted only 10 items for the duration of their isolation in the wilderness. Yes, that’s extreme, even in spite of each contestant’s standing as an expert survivalist. However, to kick off our #ExpeditionEssentials series, we want to provide our own top 10 list of essential gear for any Michigan backpacking venture into the backcountry. Please note that there are several extremely important factors to consider when preparing for any backcountry expedition. These include the expected length of your trip, climate, your fitness level, pack weight, access to water, and whether you will be hiking solo or with a crew (if with a crew, also factor in their backpacking experience levels). These 10 items are intended to cover your bases regardless of these factors, but you should absolutely feel free to substitute, omit, or supplement these items if circumstances dictate otherwise. Also, we have omitted essential clothing items, including hiking boots or shoes, since we assume you will not be backpacking on “Naked and Afraid.” Without further ado, here are our top ten essential Michigan backpacking items: 1. Backpack Spoiler alert: if you’re heading out on a Michigan backpacking trip, you’re going to need a good backpack to get the job done. When selecting a good backpack - especially your first pack - we highly recommend that you visit a reputable retailer like REI to get one fitted for you. Your backpack should be lightweight (2-5 lbs), hold anywhere from 30 to 70 liters depending on the length of your trip, and fit comfortably on the hips and in the shoulders. Other specifications to consider include a backpack’s padding, ventilation, access, pocket, and water reservoir features. Bonus item: Daypack. Smaller daypacks are very useful for shorter trips out of basecamp, such as a quick summit venture or supply run. Several newer backpacks even feature removable daypacks that are designed directly into their top lid or reservoir pocket. 2. Lightweight Shelter In true survival scenarios, the three most important problems to resolve are sources of shelter, water, and food. Of these three necessities, most backpackers are unaware that shelter is the most time-sensitive - in extremely harsh environments, you can only survive for 3 hours without an adequate shelter. Fortunately for backpackers, there is a plethora of lightweight, durable, and easy-to-assemble options of tent shelters to choose from. When selecting a tent, important factors to consider include capacity (how many people will be sharing the space), weight and size when packed (approximately 2.5 lbs per person), ease of assembly, durability, seasonality (most tents sold are 3-season), and “live-ability” features like pockets, windows, and interior space. Bonus item: Hammock Camping. Outdoor equipment manufacturers like Eno have recently placed more of an emphasis on producing “hammock camping” equipment as an alternative to tent camping. Hammock camping is generally lighter weight than conventional tents, takes up less space in a backpack, and includes features like a rain fly and bug net. This option is obviously tree-dependent and is more suitable to solo-trekking, but hammock camping can serve as a viable and enjoyable reason to leave the tent behind for certain trips. 3. Water Bottle and Filtration/Purification System Under average conditions, you can survive for 3 days without water. For the vast majority of day hikes, that dire fact fortunately does not enter the equation. For backpacking expeditions and day hikes gone wrong, however, packing in adequate water containment and filtration or purification gear becomes exponentially more important. Always pack in a water bottle or bladder (like a camelback), with the size depending on the length of your trip, climate, activity level, anticipated access to water sources, and cooking needs (dehydrated food sources typically require a cup or two of boiled water). For deciding between a water filter vs. purifier, there are a myriad of considerations to take into account. The most important factors include whether you anticipate viral contaminants from humans or livestock (go with a purifier), volume of water to purify, ease of use, weight and size within pack, and speed of filtration. Stay tuned for a future breakdown and ranking of the various water filters and purifiers that are available on the market. 4. Food The last of the “three survival necessities” is food, without which the average person can survive for 3 weeks. While I have gone for a few days on shorter trips surviving on just dried fruit, trail mix, and beef jerky before, the niche “backpacker meal” market has exploded recently in dishes, flavors, meal options, and allergy-sensitive options available to consumers. Beyond being lightweight and ready to serve in a matter of minutes, my favorite aspect of these pre-made, dehydrated meals is that they are truly delicious. Backpacker’s Pantry tends to be the favorite vendor of these meals amongst my hiking crew, but you also can’t go wrong with Mountain House, Peak Refuel, and AlpineAire Foods’ options. Bonus item: Bear Canister. While this item is less of a necessity in even the remotest parts of the Detroit region vs. in the upper peninsula or out west, we still recommend purchasing a bear canister for both food storage and smaller-critter prevention (raccoons and coyotes would also love a bite of your leftover Pad Thai backpacker meal). Another option is purchasing a bear-resistant Ursack, although this option is also tree and rope -dependent. Regardless of option, food should be stored overnight away from your camp - ideally 100 yards if there is a risk of bears or other predators where you’re camping. 5. First-Aid Kit No backpack is complete without at least a small first-aid kit included within an easily-accessible compartment. Any pre-assembled first-aid kit should include treatments for blisters, adhesive bandages of various sizes, several gauze pads, adhesive tape, disinfecting ointment, over-the-counter pain medication, and nitrile gloves. The contents of your first-aid kit should also be modified based on the length of your trip, the number of people involved, and the degree of wilderness medical training among your Michigan backpacking team (I fortunately hike almost exclusively with a team of doctors - virtually all of my undergrad buddies went to medical school). Bonus Item: Satellite Messenger. While less important in the Detroit region, the peace of mind that comes with packing in a personal locator beacon (“PLB”) or satellite messenger cannot be overstated. When activated in an emergency, these gadgets will determine your position using GPS and send a message via satellite. A PLB or satellite will work in remote locations where cell signals die off - an all-too-familiar experience for those of us living amidst the notorious cell coverage that defines Southeast Michigan. 6. Navigation Tools There are few worse feelings, and certainly none more surprising, than the moment that you realize that you are lost in the wilderness. Fortunately, with the right navigation tools and training, any misstep along the journey can be quickly remedied and redirected. The most common navigation tool among modern backpackers is a well-charged cell phone with pre-downloaded trail maps (such as those maintained on AllTrails), but you should also always carry a compass and at least one hard-copy version of a trail map (keep in a water-proof container). Bonus item: Wilderness Navigation Training. Is this a true item? No, of course not, unless you decide to bring a small wilderness navigation guidebook with you. That admission aside, bringing a moderate knowledge of wilderness navigation skills into the wilderness with you could quite literally save your life. 7. Stove and Fuel In light of the growing number of wildfire outbreaks and their corresponding restrictions, open campfires have become less and less prevalent across the country. Despite such restrictions, most (if not all) wilderness areas permit the use of camp stoves for boiling water and cooking food. There are three main types of backpacking stoves: canister, liquid, and alternative-fuel stoves. Canister stoves are the most popular on the trail (such as a Jetboil’s “Flash Cooking System”), although alternative-fuel stoves are also gaining traction (like BioLite’s “CampStove 2+”). Important considerations when deciding which stove to purchase include best use (i.e., backpacking vs. car camping), fuel type, average boil time, weight, and heat output. Bonus item: Camp Kitchen Equipment. Can you survive on using your knife as both a cutting and eating utensil? Yes, I guess that you can, but just because you can doesn’t mean that you should. Save your mouth from the obvious cut risk by packing in a lightweight set of camp kitchen utensils. The most common and basic utensil that I’ve seen (and own) on the trail is humangear’s “GoBites Uno Spork,” which only weighs 0.5 ounces. 8. Sleeping Bag and Sleeping Pad Hardcore ultralight backpackers may disagree with me concerning the necessity of a sleeping pad, but it is universally-accepted that a durable, lightweight sleeping bag is a Michigan backpacking essential. When deciding on which sleeping bag to purchase, factors to consider include temperature rating, insulation, compact-ability, weight, and special features such as adjustments, stash pockets, and pad compatibility. For sleeping pads (which we highly recommend since trees have this tendency to have roots near them), important features to consider include warmth (“R-value”), bag compatibility, weight, cushioning, and ease of inflation (especially important if you have asthma). Also remember that there are several types of sleeping pads that differ significantly from one another, with the main debate concerning the merits of air pads vs. closed-cell foam mats. I’ve found air pads to be the more comfortable option, but the ease of simply unrolling a foam mat after a full day of hiking is hard to beat. The debate rages on. Bonus item: Camp Chair. We are solidly in “luxury territory” with this bonus item, but I would bet that 99% of backpackers wouldn’t hesitate to add an extra pound to their pack in order to end a 10+ mile day in a comfortable chair vs. the ground. REI’s “Flexlite” camp chairs have become a staple in my backpacking crew’s pack list - mine has the minuscule campfire spark holes to prove it. The Flexlite chair weighs just over 1 pound, can support up to 250 pounds, and takes just over a minute to set up. 9. Knife with Fire Starting Capacity I have never been on a trip where I did not use my knife for an important task. Whether it was cutting rope, splitting small logs, field dressing game, using the whistle to ward off bears in the backcountry, or sparking a fire, my Gerber “Ultimate Survival Fixed Blade Knife” has held a place in my pack for over a decade. Knives are also useful for gear repair, food preparation, first aid, making kindling, or other emergency needs. Bonus item: Stormproof Match Kit. When I was in Alaska during a near-freezing rain storm, I was able to start a very necessary fire thanks largely to the “stormproof” match kit that I always keep in my pack. The cheap UCO Stormproof Match Kit comes with 25 windproof matches, a durable case, and a striker bar. Especially when the conditions turn for the absolute worst, your dry feet and warmed soul will thank you for this inclusion in your backpack. 10. Headlamp Have you ever tripped over a rock, root, or rope while navigating around a campsite at night? Even worse, have you ever had to race the setting sun back to your camp while still on the trail? As someone who has experienced all of the above, trust me when I say that a well-charged headlamp is an essential for every Michigan backpacking venture. Bonus item: Solar charging lamp. While this item may be more in “luxury” than “essential” territory, I am a firm believer in packing in a lightweight solar lamp with USB charging capacity. Other than keeping your phone or any additional electronics like a fitness tracker charged during your expedition, having a fully-charged solar lamp ready by sunset can be a true lifesaver if any of the other essential items mentioned above, such as a UV water purifier, navigation tool, or headlamp, depend on a charge. Now that you are orientated around the Michigan backpacking gear essentials, are you ready to start planning your next venture in the Detroit region? We’ve got you covered - start exploring the best backpacking destinations within an hour’s drive of Downtown Detroit. We can’t wait to see you out there.

The leaves and temperatures may be rapidly dropping, but the Detroit region's outdoor events calendar will stay vibrant throughout November. Here is the Expedition Detroit rundown of the top ten outdoor events that we're excited about attending. Happy Turkey Month! You read it here first: November is the most underrated month for outdoor recreation throughout the entire year. While some recreationists may be tempted to view this month as a "shoulder season" - the transitory guide from the peak autumn colors of October to the fresh snowfall of December - we are immensely excited about the outdoor action that you can only experience during November, especially when it comes to these 10 premiere outdoor events. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, we would like to publish that we're extremely thankful for the hosts and vendors that brave the cooling temperatures to stage these end-of-season events. We invite you to share in our gratitude by joining in with one, two, or all of these top 10 outdoor events for November. 1. Run with the Dead for Día de los Muertos November 5th | Southwest Detroit | 9 a.m. Spoiler alert - this Saturday, November 5th, will be a jam-packed day for outdoor events in the Detroit region. The festivities begin with Detroit's predominantly Latinx community that will continue to honor and celebrate the dear-departed well into the first week of November. El Día de los Muertos - "the Day of the Dead" in Spanish - is one of the most widely-celebrated cultural holidays across the United States, especially among Southwest Detroit's residents of Mexican heritage. As part of the festive celebrations, the Southwest Detroit Business Association is hosting its annual "Run of the Dead" 5K/10K race and fundraiser for the Center of Music & Performing Arts Southwest. Don't forget to pack in family photos of your ancestors to add to the festival's ofrenda. 2. Burn Through the Trails at the Bonfyre Trail Fest November 5th | Waterloo State Recreation Area | 10 a.m. While colorful running skeletons will own the streets of Southwest Detroit, the trails on the western rim of the Detroit region will also be set ablaze with excitement on Saturday morning during the Bonfyre Trail Fest. Bonfyre represents the last event of RF Event's fantastic "GOAT Trail Series" for the 2022 season, and will include 5, 10, and 18-mile trail races. The perks of this trail runner's dream event go far beyond the post-race beer garden, live music, and roaring bonfire - we at Expedition Detroit simply can't wait to run the famous, roller-coaster DTE Energy Foundation Trails at Waterloo State Recreation Area. We will see you across the finish line and at the bonfire (beer in hand)! 3. Give a Hoot at the Owl Festival November 5th | Oakwoods Metropark | 6 p.m. Closing out the triple-crown for November 5th, Oakwoods Metropark is hosting its family-centered "Owl Festival" this Saturday evening. Described as a celebration of "everything owl," this festival will feature exhibits and activities intended to highlight and educate on all of the different species of owls found within Michigan. Specific events will include owl pellet dissection, games, crafts, owl presentations, and several owl prowls. 4. Run the Stony Creek Marathon November 6th | Stony Creek Metropark | 10 a.m. Marathoners, rejoice! While most regions close up shop for racing season in October, Detroit has saved one of its best and most scenic for the tail-end of the year. Stony Creek Metropark will host its annual marathon event this Sunday morning, which also includes 5K, 10K, Half-Marathon, and 50K events. So whether you're trying to squeeze in one last 5K before the real end of the season - or have a crazy 50K itch that needs to be scratched for you wild ultra runners - the Stony Creek Marathon has the perfect race for you! 5. Get in the Woods for Whitetail Deer Firearm Opening Day November 15th | Statewide in Michigan Waking up on the morning of November 15th in Michigan can be an interesting experience for non-hunters. No, it's not a delayed Fourth of July party or a Civil War reenactment kicking off at 7:30 a.m. on a Tuesday. You are in fact witnessing, as my father-in-law would say, the "official-unofficial Michigan state holiday" - the opening day of whitetail deer firearm season. The most celebrated day of the year for hunters and the single most important day of the year for the Michigan DNR's conservation efforts. A festive day that we at Expedition Detroit encourage all of our readers to participate in, even if that's just by purchasing a tag to financially support the DNR's operations and protection of our precious natural resources. We will be publishing an "Opening Day Checklist" article prior to the 15th, but for any non-hunters that plan on venturing into the woods on the 15th, please wear blaze orange outer clothing - especially if you are walking in the woods around sunrise or sunset hours. Even if hunting is not permitted along your typical hiking route, the gun opener has a unique ability to draw out hunters of varying degrees of experience and ethics. Be safe, be seen. 6. Celebrate National Hiking Day November 17th | Throughout Detroit Region Did we need the prompt of a national holiday to celebrate hiking? No, of course not. Are we stoked that one exists and will therefore celebrate excessively? Yes, of course we will! Especially in light of the wealth of hiking opportunities that we have in our region, we plan on visiting three different hiking trail hubs during National Hiking Day: one of our old favorites, a second that we've been itching to explore, and a third that remains largely unknown throughout our region. Stay tuned for that featured article as well, and also remember to wear blaze orange on your hikes (plan on doing so through the end of November, the end of the regular firearm season in Michigan). 7. Run for the Fudge of It at the Kona Chocolate Run November 20th | Northville, MI | 9 a.m. Kona Running Company's motto is "Run for the Fun of It." Well, for this uniquely-chocolate themed final race of their spectacular 2022 season, Kona is inviting runner's of all skillsets to run for the fudge of it during its annual Kona Chocolate Run event. Sponsored in part by Guernsey Farms Dairy, this 5K/10K race will allow - no, encourage - runners to indulge their sweet tooth with a post-race chocolate bar, complete with hot chocolate, chocolate milk, cookies, pastries, candies, coffee, and more. 8. Become "That Relative" and Run a Turkey Trot November 24th | Various Locations Restful holiday sleep be damned, you have a race to run! Seriously though, we wholly-endorse ignoring the social media memes, setting your alarm, and getting up early to run a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot before the holiday traditions literally and figuratively consume the rest of your day. The Detroit Parade Company's annual Turkey Trot is undoubtedly the hallmark race of the holiday, although Running Fit's Ann Arbor Turkey Trot is also a very popular event. There's an option for avid trail runners as well - Move-It Fitness will be hosting its "Turkey TRAIL Trot" at Stony Creek Metropark, which includes half-marathon, 10K, 4-mile, and 2-mile trail races for participants. 9. Exchange Consumerism for a Black Friday Spent Outside November 25th | Various Locations Stick it to the consumerist machine! Or don't, we really don't judge here at Expedition Detroit. However, if you do decide to follow the outdoor industry's lead to #OptOutside, then do we have the perfect events for you! Mountain Bikers: The Potowatomi Mountain Biking Association is leading a group ride on Black Friday at 10 a.m. across Rolling Hills and Hewens Creek Parks, covering a total of 15 miles of single track and gravel riding. Launching from the Rolling Hills Lodge, the ride will cover about 7 miles at Rolling Hill and 6 miles at Hewens Creek. Post-ride pizza and refreshments will be waiting for you back at the Rolling Hills Lodge. Trail Runners: Yes, the late-season races keep coming! Trivium Racing will continue its annual Thanksgiving weekend racing tradition, the Black Toenail Friday Half Marathon and 7.5 Miler trail race. The pristine trails of Proud Lake State Recreation Area will host the event - this is the only race that I've ever heard of being hosted at Proud Lake, so that alone provides a great reason to register. We're also thankful for the perfect excuse for going for that second (ok, third) plate during Thanksgiving dinner. 10. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve November 26th | Point Pelee National Park | 6 p.m. With all of the frenzy of Thanksgiving and Black Friday in the rearview mirror, why not treat yourself to a little stimulus-detox by staring up into the great beyond? Well, fortunately for us, Point Pelee National Park in Ontario comes in clutch yet again as our region's sole Dark Sky Preserve - the ideal location for gazing into the cosmos and tuning out the world for an extraterrestrial outing. Point Pelee's "Dark Sky Nights" are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave the dropping temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. We hope to cross paths with you at one or all of these events this month (ok, definitely not the firearm season opener - we’re aiming for total isolation while out in the field). Happy November to you all - we can’t wait to see you out there! 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.

'Tis the season for some holly, jolly, and freezing outdoor adventures - and we are stoked for them all! As you navigate the madness of the holidays, here are the top ten outdoor events near Detroit to guide you through this most festive of months. Happy holidays! Sing it with us: It's the most won-der-ful timeeeee of the yearrrrrr! And yes, not only because of the holiday season. The Expedition Detroit team is STOKED for this month of recreation opportunities, which may come as a shock to some outdoor enthusiasts.To be fair, December can be a polarizing month - less in terms of Santa's homestead and more regarding attitudes towards outdoor recreation. The Winter Solstice hitting mid-month means that December brings the shortest and some of the coldest days of the year. Add in the seasonal work and family pressures, the net result is that the odds for bountiful outdoor recreation thin out a bit. That, dear friends, represents the greatest gift that you will receive this month. December rings in opportunities for intrepid recreationists that simply do not exist mid-summer. Virtually empty running, hiking, and kayaking trails. Prime time for fat tire biking season. Expeditious snowshoeing and cross-country skiing routes. Fresh groomer tracks at Detroit's ski resorts. Extended hunting periods. An entire season ripe for outdoor innovation. Put differently, December provides us all with two options: hibernate until spring, or fully embrace and capitalize on the gift that is winter in Detroit. You already know which option we're choosing, so we're kicking off our winter expeditions with these awesome top ten outdoor events for December. 1. Go Big for Global Fat Tire Bike Day December 3rd | Island Lake State Recreation Area | 10 a.m. Wait, you didn't think that December had enough holidays? Neither did we, along with the international biking community. Along with other holiday traditions, the most ardent of cyclists switch out their slimmer summer tires for their fatter, snow-ready tires in early December. Fortunately, this isn't a niche sect of the biking faithful - the sport of fat tire biking has grown to such an extent that this seasonal passage has become memorialized into a global holiday. A holiday occurring today, December 3rd. Ready to take your fat tire for its maiden seasonal voyage? New to fat tire biking and wondering where you can catch a glimpse of the festive action? We've got you: head to Island Lake State Recreation Area today for the official Southeast Michigan Global Fat Bike Day festivities. Riders will be setting out from the Spring Mill Pond parking lot to tackle "The Badlands" region of the park. 2. Earn First Tracks at Detroit's Premiere Ski Resorts Throughout December | Throughout Detroit Region Winter recreation invokes many different emotions, expectations, and memories. For certain members of the Expedition Detroit team, winter means claiming first chair rights and carving fresh tracks into a perfectly groomed ski slope. Yes, we of course love our backcountry terrain too, but there's nothing quite like a crisp groomer or a deep powder day at one of Detroit's four premiere resorts: Mt. Holly, Pine Knob, Alpine Valley, and Mt. Brighton. As of the writing of this article, Mt. Holly, Pine Knob, and Alpine Valley are open for riding! Mt. Brighton has teased that they will be following suit shortly, although all four resorts are largely still in the snow-making/accumulating process. Conditions are only going to heat up (er, cool down?) as this month progresses, so while we're waiting for the snow to fall we will be purchasing our lift tickets (relevant links here and here), sharpening our skis, and dreaming of those first sweet runs. 3. Have Yourself a Merry Little Hunt Throughout December | Statewide in Michigan Yes, November is undeniably primetime for conservation throughout the Detroit region. That being justly acknowledged, December is a special, underrated time to get in woods. Not only does the snow make tracking game infinitely easier, but the ethereal calm that defines the woods after a fresh snowfall provide a near-religious experience for hunters willing to face the cold. There are several hunting seasons running concurrently throughout December, so be sure to check out our Michigan Hunting Cheatsheet to review the conservation opportunities available throughout our region. We especially want to highlight late antler-less firearm season for whitetail deer on private lands, which runs from December 12th through the end of the month. If you have an unfilled antler-less tag, please consider harvesting a doe and donating the venison to a local food bank. Conservation in action goes much farther than any decision made in the field - we thank you in advance for assisting both the DNR in whitetail population maintenance and our neighbors in need of a hearty meal. 4. Run like Rudolph in a Holiday Race Throughout December | Throughout the Detroit Region Remember those few extra pounds that you may or may not have packed on during Thanksgiving? Well, lucky for you, 2022's holiday race season didn't end with that Turkey Trot your in-laws dragged you out of bed to run. To the contrary, 'tis the season for Christmas-themed races, so you'll burn off those extra turkey pounds in no time. The holiday races kick off on December 4th with the Whoville 5K in Northville, Michigan (there's a Grand Rapids race as well, so be sure to select the correct race option). Our friends at RF Events are closing out their 2022 race season with their annual Holiday Hustle in Dexter, Michigan, which includes 1 mile, 5K, and half-marathon events. Last but certainly not least, Shelby Township is hosting their 13th annual Jingle Bell 5K Run on December 18th at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center. 5. Give the Gift of Stewardship at a DNR Volunteer Workday Throughout December | Highland and Bald Mountain State Recreation Areas and Belle Isle State Park Of all of the gifts that you will give this holiday season, one of the most impactful (and least expensive) could be the opportunity to give your time and muscle to the wild places that you love! Fortunately for all of us, the DNR has taken the lead in sponsoring three official "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" events at Highland State Recreation Area (TODAY, December 3rd), Bald Mountain State Recreation Area (December 10th), and Belle Isle State Park (December 17th). Work crew activities will focus on piling brush, stacking firewood, cutting invasive shrubs, and restoring wetlands. 6. Explore the Enchanted Borealis Trail Throughout December | Seven Lakes State Park As you're probably aware, we at Expedition Detroit are all about embracing nighttime recreation opportunities (#EmbraceTheDark) this time of year. While most nocturnal exploration requires a high degree of independent preparation, the folks at Seven Lakes State Park have greatly simplified this process by hosting their annual "Enchanted Borealis Trail" night hiking events! The park encourages hikers to meander through the forest by following a one-mile lantern-lit path and enjoy some colorful holiday lights along the way. The hike starts at the Dickinson Picnic Shelter. The event is free, although as an additional option, you can rent your own campfire spot for $20 (wood and fire starting included). 7. Discover the 12 Birds of Christmas at Humbug Marsh December 17th | Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge - Humbug Marsh Unit | 9 a.m. Let's be honest - why just sing about a few festive birds when you can venture into our region's sole International Wildlife Refuge to experience the real deal? The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is hosting a free "12 Birds of Christmas" hiking and bird watching event at Humbug Marsh. Located along the Detroit River, Humbug Marsh is the last undeveloped mile of the Detroit River on the U.S. side of the border. The guided hike will traverse native prairies, native shrublands, forests with a unique mosaic of 300-400 year old oaks mixed with hickory and ash, diverse wetlands, and beautiful Humbug Island. Rare birds on the viewing agenda include eagles, winter wrens, golden crowned kinglets, herons, and other migrating and resident water birds. 8. Trek into the Night on a Twilight Luminary Hike December 21st | Lake St. Clair Metropark | 5 p.m. Early winter evenings spent along one of the Detroit region's largest lakes provide an idyllic scenery for trail exploration. The guides at Lake St. Clair Metropark know this all too well, including which trails provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities in step with the setting sun. Join in on the Metropark's final naturalist-led "Twilight Luminary Hike" for 2022, where you'll have the opportunity to listen for owls, search out nocturnal wildlife, and learn about the ways that Michigan’s animals adapt to the long nights and cold temperatures. Don't worry - all hikers get the opportunity to warm up alongside a roaring bonfire with s’mores after the hike. 9. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve December 17th | Point Pelee National Park | 6 p.m. Sometimes the best break from the frenzy of the holidays is to do nothing. Well, almost nothing - hiking through a national park to experience the best stargazing in the Detroit region definitely counts as doing something. Fortunately for us, Point Pelee National Park saves the day yet again as our region's sole Dark Sky Preserve - the ideal location for gazing into the cosmos and tuning out the world for an extraterrestrial outing. 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. 10. Sprint into the New Year December 31st | Belle Isle State Park and Perrysburg, OH Every New Year's Eve, we all find ourselves looking forward to a blank slate of opportunity. Races to be run. Trails to be explored. Memories to capture. And for the most part, all of those experiences lay just outside of our grasp - one ripped calendar page away from becoming a reality. December 31st also provides us all with one last sweet, finite way of sticking it to the year that's on its way out. Regardless of whether you'll look back on 2022 as the best or worst year of your life, we can't think of a better way to close out this chapter than sweating it out on a New Year's Eve race. Actually, you could run two - the Belle Isle New Year's Eve 5K kicks off at 4 P.M. in its namesake park, while the Midnight Special 5K in Perrysburg, Ohio provides runners with an opportunity to start the race in one year and cross the finish line in the next (race starts at 11:45 P.M.). Happy December to you all, and wishing you nothing but the best heading into 2023. We can’t wait to see you out there! 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.

What do you get when you cram all four seasons of the year into 31 days? The month of March in Michigan - the epitome of "shoulder season" recreation where your days can start with a morning cycle and finish with skiing through powder. Here are Detroit's top 10 outdoor events for capitalizing on March's kaleidoscope of recreation 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 31 days, you will have ample opportunities to run on pristine trails in the morning and ski decent powder in the evening. Or bust out the fat tire bike for snow-covered trails in the early hours before basking 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 available for your recreational leisure. As a cherry on top, most state park drinking regulations don't take effect until April 1st. The obvious converse of these benefits is that, if timed poorly or conditions-dependent, March will simply suck for you. March can often be too warm to ski, too cold to paddle, too muddy to bike, and too early to hunt. A recreational purgatory for even the most ardent outdoor enthusiasts. We at Expedition Detroit view ourselves in the former category - the conditions be damned, "there's no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing" kind of crowd. However, especially for the "March Deniers" among us, we thought that we'd curate this list of Top 10 Outdoor Events to help ease your passing from winter into spring. 1. Get a Little Slushy at Mt. Brighton March 4th | Mt. Brighton Ski Resort | 12 p.m. Spring skiing tends to hit a little early in the Detroit region...and can switch back to peak-winter conditions in the blink of an eye. Even though a heavy snow storm is on the forecast for Friday, Saturday's temperatures are currently projected for a high of 42º. Stated differently, perfect conditions for Mt. Brighton's Slush Cup. The resort invites all of Detroit's ski and snowboard faithful to join it for its biggest spring party of the season. The event will feature a pond skimming competition (ages 7+), live music, an outdoor bar, tons of giveaways and prizes, and more. Participants in the pond skimming event can register the morning of the 4th in the picnic area between 9am - 11am. Registration is first come, fist serve, and the pond-skimming kicks off at 12pm. Helmets are required and the resort's rental equipment is NOT permitted in the pond-skimming competition. 2. Embrace the Snow with a Winter Hike March 4th | Maybury State Park | 7 p.m. "It's March now, so winter should be over, right..?" Anyone who has ever had the gall to utter these out loud probably felt an immediate gust of winter wind against their neck - the physical manifestation of Mother Nature laughing at them. Especially in and around Detroit. Yes, winter in our corner of the Great Lakes can be a very polarizing season. Most recreationists either love it or hate it, just like an ice bath or polar plunge. For us at Expedition Detroit, our biased opinion is that this winter has been underwhelming. We received what, two weeks of "winter wonderland" powder conditions? Just enough snow for one backcountry ski venture? We fully-endorse the DNR's team at Maybury State Park for embracing the incoming snow with an evening guided winter hike through the park. The hike is appropriate for all ages and pets are welcome (must be on a 6' leash at all times). Light snacks will be provided after the hike. The hike will set off from the trailhead building off the Eight Mile Road entrance, and headlamps are recommended. 3. Pack the Popcorn for a Free Screening of Black Ice March 5th | DYNO Detroit Climbing | 7 p.m. Detroit Parks & Recreation, Detroit Outdoors, and DYNO Detroit Climbing invite all of Detroit's recreation community to enjoy a free screening of Black Ice - a documentary that follows a group of African American climbers on an ice climbing expedition to Montana. The screening will also include a presentation by Detroiters that recently completed an upper peninsula ice climbing trip. This film showcases African American rock climbers from Memphis Rox climbing gym as they set off on an ice climbing adventure with professionals to experience the extremities of the sport. The event will feature a small panel of individuals who have experienced ice climbing, as well as discussions regarding local climbing opportunities. Doors open at 7 pm and the film will start at 7:30 pm. Don't forget a blanket, pillow, and/or a camp chair to get comfortable on the climbing gym's floor. Oh, and BYOB is permitted at this event. Nice. 4. Earn some Good Luck at a DNR Volunteer Workday Throughout March | Brighton, Bald Mountain, Waterloo, Highland, Island Lake, and Pinckney State Recreation Areas and Belle Isle State Park | 9 a.m. Looking to earn karma's respect - and maybe a little good luck - throughout March? There's absolutely more than one way to tip the fates in your favor, but environmental stewardship takes the prize as our favorite means of releasing good vibes back into the universe. Fortunately for all of us, the DNR has taken the lead in sponsoring several official "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" events across the Detroit region at Brighton State Recreation Area (March 5th), Bald Mountain State Recreation Area (March 11th), Waterloo State Recreation Area (March 12th), Highland State Recreation Area (March 18th), Island Lake State Recreation Area (March 19th), Belle Isle State Park (March 25th), and Pinckney State Recreation Area (March 26th). Work crew activities will focus on piling brush, stacking firewood, cutting invasive shrubs, and restoring wetlands. Rainboots or other waterproof boots are recommended for these events, and preregistration is required. 5. Run for the Gold at a St. Patrick's Day 5K March 11th - 12th | 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 40th running of the "Corktown Races" on March 12th. Other St. Paddy's-themed races include the "Lucky Leprechaun Race" on March 11th in Utica, and RF Events' "Shamrocks & Shenanigans" on March 12th in Ann Arbor. 6. Earn your Slice of Pi(e) March 14th | Virtual For most of us, when you think of a "special day in March," you probably think of St. Patrick's Day. Obviously. But, if you time-travel back to your middle school years (apologies in advance), we all remember that one kid who came to school on March 14th, with a chocolate-chip pie under their arm, decorated in icing with one archaic symbol that you haven't thought of since your geometry exam: π. "Ah, that's right," you should be thinking right about now. "Pi day." Pi - the Greek trigonometric symbol that mathematically represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter - is shorthand calculated as "3.14." As such, March 14th is celebrated as "Pi Day" among mathletes and recreationists alike due to its correlation with the number. While Pi Day is internationally-recognized as a day to commemorate math, we at Expedition Detroit choose to celebrate by extending our typical mid-week 5K by 0.04 miles. There's even a virtual event sponsored by Epic Races to inspire runners to get outside on the 14th. Circular routes are strongly encouraged. 7. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve March 18th | Point Pelee National Park | 6 p.m. The days may finally be getting lighter, but the stars at Point Pelee National Park - the single 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. 8. Close Out Flannel Season with a Lumberjack Pancake Run March 25th | Detroit, Michigan | 9:30 a.m. Flannel. Flapjacks. Finish lines. Can you think of a better trio for closing out "Flannel SZN" in the Detroit region? We sure can't, and we think that whoever thought of this race at the DNR's "Outdoor Adventure Center" deserves a raise. This themed "Lumberjack Pancake" 5K 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. 9. Embrace the Chills at the No Frills, All Thrills Trail Run March 25th | Huron Meadows Metropark | 10:00 a.m. As any seasoned Detroiter will tell you, white-out snow conditions in the end of March are not only common - they're expected. Along with freezing rain or other shelter-beckoning precipitation. Not exactly ideal running conditions... ...unless you're a David Goggins-esque, "damn the weather," no frills kind of runner. And in the off-chance that you are, then we have the perfect event for you. The Brighton Area Road Striders are hosting their "No Frills, All Thrills Trail Run" event at Huron Meadows Metropark for runners that believe that all conditions are good race conditions. The event includes 4K and 8K race options. 10. Surrender to Nature on a Mud March March 25th | Lake Erie Metropark | 12 p.m. We've got good and bad news: the end of March is officially "Mud Season" throughout the Detroit region. Yes, this happens every single year. Yet outdoorsy folks stay get taken aback when their pristine trails, ski hills, and riverbanks turn to brown, mucky slush. Why not embrace it? That's the attitude that the team over at Lake Erie Metropark have adopted, and we advise following suit. Lace up a pair of waterproof boots and head over to the park for their "Mud March" event. This family-friendly guided hike will trek through the mud and puddles in search of marsh wildlife during this rainiest of seasons. Naturally, the hike will kick off rain or shine, so participants are advised to dress accordingly. 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.

The trees are green. The trails are groomed. The campgrounds are open. May means that all systems are firing for Detroit's outdoors, and these "Top Ten Outdoor Events" are perfect for diving head first into the immensity of outdoor experiences waiting for you this month! This might be the strangest way to start an article ever, but I want you to stop reading for a second. Look out the window, or around you if you're already outside. Hear the songbirds chirping in the freshly budded trees above you. Smell the fresh aurora of an environment reborn. Appreciate the blooming plants about you and the remerging wildlife that has joined you in this springtime rite. Feel the sun's rays hinting at warmer days waiting just around the corner. That, my friends, represents a microcosm of May in the Detroit region's outdoors. A 31-day celebration of a resurgent environment after months of blustering cold and rain. What started with reawakening trees, birds, and wildlife in April evolves into a natural, ecosystem-wide festival of life throughout May. Rivers teeming with paddlers. Trails embracing riders. And lifelong memories being made throughout our hallowed campgrounds. With our recreational system reopened on all fronts, Spring in greater Detroit's outdoors can represent a chaotic, daunting challenge. Like a child walking into Disney World for the first time, the sudden inundation of recreational opportunities available to us can be paralyzing. As we all recalibrate to primetime in Detroit's outdoors, these Top Ten Outdoor Events will ease the transition by providing fun, engaging, challenging, and rewarding experiences. Happy May - we can't wait to see you out there again! 1. Discover New Trails on a Spring Hike May 3rd | Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area, ON | 5:00 p.m. Right at the start of a new month - brimming with new life and recreational opportunities - the team at Kopegaron Woods Conservation Area invites you to join them on a Spring Hike to discover a rejuvenated environment! Located on the far eastern rim of the Detroit region, Kopegaron Woods features a vast variety of the classic Carolinian flora species that southern Ontario is widely-renown for, including old growth trees, shrubs, and spring ephemerals, and early woodland wildflowers. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and to note that trail conditions vary from boardwalks to natural forest floor/trail. 2. Embrace the Night on a Full Moon Hike May 5th | Oakwoods Metropark | 8:00 p.m. The days may rapidly be getting lighter, but the Detroit region's nighttime hiking opportunities still remain as prominent and engaging as ever. For most nocturnal recreationists, hiking under a full moon provides one of the most unique and naturally illuminating experiences of any calendar month. Especially on a cloudless night, there's an indescribable magic to night hiking without needing to turn your headlamp on thanks to the brilliance of a full moon. If you're looking for a more curated experience for full moon hiking, then head over to Oakwoods Metropark for their "Worm Moon" full moon guided hike! This guided event will also include informational sessions on the etymology of full moon names, astronomy, and wildlife viewing. This event further provides an awesome opportunity to experience the woodlands and riverbanks of Oakwoods "after dark," seeing as the park typically closes at dusk. 3. Give Back at a DNR Volunteer Workday Throughout May | Bald Mountain, Highland, Island Lake, and Pinckney State Recreation Areas | 9 a.m. As Mahatma Gandhi so eloquently stated, "Action expresses priorities." As applied to our region's outdoors, the Expedition Detroit team interprets this statement as a call to care for the people and places that you value, and that your values should further manifest into action. We care immensely for our wildest, most pristine outdoor destinations, as well as for the team at the Michigan Department of Natural Resources that so diligently cares for them. Any opportunity to assist the DNR with their operations is an opportunity well-worth seizing. Fortunately for all of us, the DNR has taken the lead in sponsoring several official "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" events across the Detroit region at Highland State Recreation Area (May 6th), Pinckney State Recreation Area (May 7th), Bald Mountain State Recreation Area (May 13th and 17th), Island Lake State Recreation Area (May 20th). Work crew activities will focus on piling brush, stacking firewood, cutting invasive shrubs, and restoring wetlands. Rain boots or other waterproof boots are recommended for these events, and preregistration is required. 4. Mind your Mental Health at the Detroit Riverfront Throughout May | Gabriel Richard Park and Dequindre Cut, Detroit, MI Did you know that the act of simply standing near water will boost your mental health? Or that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Well, our friends at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy clearly have both of these facts at the top of their mind. The DRC they will host several "Mental Health Awareness and Mindfulness" events at Gabriel Richard Park and the Dequindre Cut throughout May, including sound bowl workshops, fitness and yoga classes, free lunches, and a labyrinth walk. Come discover why the Detroit Riverfront - the #1 riverfront in the United States for three years in a row - provides one of the city's top destinations for both physical and mental rejuvenation! 5. Run for the Ale of It May 12th | Detroit, MI | 6:30 p.m. Beer and 5Ks are a match made in heaven. We don't know who the first genius was to recognize that a crisp beer beats the hell out of a finish line banana, but they sincerely deserve a Nobel Prize for such a great contribution to outdoor society. Beer tents at finish lines are now as common as podiums, and any race bib that doesn't feature a tear-off beer coupon is a bib not worth wearing. RF Event's "Hightail to Ale" 5K race - sponsored by Atwater Brewery - perfects this concept with a Friday evening event that ends, naturally, with a party. Starting and finishing at Atwater, runners will enjoy the scenic riverfront course before earning their finisher's medal, custom pint glass, and complimentary brew. This can't-miss event will also feature a huge crowd to cheer you on, live music, and food trucks. Oh, and did we mention beer..? 6. Start a New Holiday Tradition with Mom May 14th | Ann Arbor, MI | 8:00 a.m. My Mom always encouraged an active, outdoor lifestyle for my brothers and I. Long before I ever had aspirations towards long-distance running, my dear mother all but forced me to run a few miles each day in order for me to get a less-than-fit middle schooler in-shape for my upcoming football and hockey tryouts. Mother truly knew best, even if my profusely-sweating younger self vehemently disagreed. A few decades later, I can properly thank and celebrate her by signing us both up for a special Mother's Day 5K race: the Mother's Day Time to Teal Run in Downtown Ann Arbor. Beyond representing another holiday 5K tradition to add the list, this event both celebrates the incredible women in our lives AND raises awareness for ovarian cancer. A portion of registration fees also support the mission and operations of the Michigan Ovarian Cancer Alliance, so you (and mom) will truly be running for a cause. 7. Hike for Freedom at the Human Trafficking Resource Fair May 20th | Belle Isle Park | 8:00 a.m. For us at Expedition Detroit, there's never a bad reason to go for a hike. There are only good, great, or fantastic reasons. But this month, the Sparrow Freedom Project invites us all to join them on one of the most impactful and important reasons to hike the trails of Belle Isle Park: promote awareness of services available in the Metro Detroit area for survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. Starting at the Cricket Field, the purpose of the"5k Freedom Walk" is to raise funds to support Sparrow Freedom Project's mission and help shed light on the reality of human trafficking within our region and around the world. During the event, hikers and attendees will have access to life saving information about human trafficking, including the myths and realities of this dark underworld. The event also represents an opportunity for service providers to network and build relationships with the goal of facilitating education and advocacy. Tickets to the event are available here! 8. Find your Next Passion at O.A.K. in the Hills May 20th | Thelma Spencer Park, Rochester Hills, MI | 11:00 a.m. If May represents the "Great Awakening" of our regional outdoor ecosystem, then there's no better time to discover your next recreational passion than at the inaugural O.A.K. in the Hills event! OAK - short for "Outdoor Adventure Kickoff" - with consist of an outdoor activity extravaganza geared towards introducing attendees to the full spectrum of recreational opportunities in the Detroit region and beyond. The event will provide instruction and exhibition opportunities for hiking, biking, rock climbing, kayaking, archery, fishing, pickleball, bee keeping, puppy yoga (we're sold)...and so much more. This fantastic AND free event is sponsored by the City of Rochester Hills, Oakland County Parks, and MooseJaw. 9. Celebrate the Aquatic Life at the Huron River Day Festival May 21st | Gallup Park, Ann Arbor, MI | 12:00 p.m. The Huron River - the central vein of the Detroit region's recreational ecosystem - is worth celebrating every day of every season. That's an undeniable fact. However, the river truly comes alive in May, both in terms of returned wildlife, wildflower blooms, and the influx of paddlers and anglers eager to experience both. In honor of the Huron, the City of Ann Arbor's Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its annual "Huron River Day" festival at Gallup Park! The festival will include discounted boat rentals, children's activities, river exhibits, live music, and food trucks/carts. Vendors will also be on-site providing instructions on animal-handling, fishing, Native American heritage, and - we kid you not - water squirting lessons. 10. Go Jurassic at the T-Rex Triathlon Series May 31st | Island Lake State Recreation Area | 6:00 p.m. No sport celebrates the return of warm weather quite like a triathlon. Beyond the practical impossibility of swimming in a frozen Kent Lake during winter, a triathlon forces each participant to embrace the elements as they are. The crisp cool of flowing water. The radiant heat of the trail. The warming rays of the sun. And you, the tri-sport athlete, joined by hundreds of your new best friends navigating the variables of a race designed to challenge and reward you. In our opinion, every outdoor enthusiast should complete at least one triathlon in their life. Fortunately for all of us, our friends at RF Events are hosting four this year within their "T-Rex Spring Triathlon Series." The first event of the series - the "Stegosaurus Triathlon and Duathlon" - will be held at Island Lake State Recreation Area and consist of both a sprint triathlon (0.5 mile swim, 12.4 mile cycle, and 5K run) and duathlon (1.5 mile run, 12.4 mile cycle, and 5K run) events. All finishers will receive a custom medal and finish-line food. 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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Just like waking up to fresh snowfall, January provides a perfectly clean slate for pursuing your wildest outdoor goals for 2023. We're absolutely STOKED for all that this new year will bring for Detroit's outdoors, starting with these top 10 outdoor events for January. There's something beautiful about waking up on the morning of January 1st. The past year's successes and failures are logged into the annals of history. Everyone is provided with a perfectly clean slate - a blank canvas of a calendar year, ready for you to illustrate a portrait of adventures yet to be experienced. Even though January still falls squarely within Detroit's "off-season" for outdoor recreation, we strongly advise that you build on any momentum that you gained during the tail-end of 2022 and keep getting outside. In fact, we've argued repeatedly that now is the single best season for recreating in our natural environment. The colder, darker days act as an antithesis to crowds, fair-weather adventurers, and other human elements that detract from an outdoor experience. In other words, if you're training for spring races, looking for natural solitude, or simply hate sharing the trail with the masses, then January is your time to shine. These top 10 events are intended for recreationists wired just like you, and we can't wait to see you at one, two, or all of these events! 1. Kick Off the New Year with a First Day Hike January 1st | Maybury State Park | 10 a.m. If you're reading this article, then I'm willing to bet that one of your New Year's Resolutions involves getting outside more. Well, why not kick off the year on the right foot with a morning hike at one of the Detroit region's most accessible state parks? The Friends of Maybury State Park are hosting a family-friendly "First Day Hike" on New Year's Day, setting off from the main Trailhead Building off of the park's 8 Mile entrance. The guided hike will set off at 10 a.m., but you are also welcome to hike the trails on your own throughout the day (you may just see us on the trails late morning/pre-Lions game). All pets must be on a six-foot leash at all times, and light refreshments will be available after the guided hike. No preregistration is required for this event. 2. Complement your Adventures with a Virtual Challenge Throughout January | Anywhere A "Virtual Challenge" - we apologize in advance if that phrase triggers pandemic lockdown-era PTSD. We 1,000% agree that the return of in-person, live events were a welcomed sign of the end of COVID's reign of tyranny over our recreational livelihoods. However, one pandemic relic that we hope does not vanish entirely from the outdoor economy is virtual challenges that can - and should - inspire and complement your training schedules, races, and generally outdoor expeditions. There are near infinite virtual challenges that you could join, but we'd like to highlight the challenges sponsored by 52 Hike Challenge and the monthly running challenges sponsored by our friends at RF Events. The "52 Hike Challenge" comprises of an annual goal for participants to complete an average of one, 1-mile hike per week. There are also other, short "Series" that 52 Hikes sponsors, including a special "Winter Series," as well as series involving hikes with pets, kids, and a special "Adventure Series" that we're particularly interested in. RF Events' monthly challenges feature specific, running-focused goals over a given calendar month, with January's "Winter Wonderland Adventure" challenge 1,000+ minutes of activity - the number of minutes it would take to get from adventure to adventure from Detroit to Ironwood in the western U.P. 3. Capitalize on Extended Archery Season Throughout January | Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties in Michigan If you're still looking for your first deer of the season, let me start by offering my condolences - I've been in this position before, and it sucks. Plain and simple. But, let me offer some relief to your season-long frustration: especially if you live and hunt in Macomb, Oakland, or Wayne counties, there is an extended archery season in place through January 31st. A deer license, deer combo license, or antler-less deer license are valid during this extended season. Similar to last month's advisory, if you have an unfilled antler-less tag, please consider harvesting a doe and donating the venison to a local food bank. Conservation in action goes much farther than any decision made in the field - we thank you in advance for assisting both the DNR in whitetail population maintenance and our neighbors in need of a hearty meal. 4. Take on the Abominable Snowman Ride January 7th | Pinckney State Recreation Area | 12 p.m. Forget the deniers: the Abominable Snowman exists, and it rips on a mountain bike. Don't just take our word for it, though - the Potawatomi Mountain Biking Association is hosting its annual Abominable Snowman Ride at the Glenbrook Yurt in Pinckney State Recreation Area. Riders are welcome to join in on as much or little of the scheduled 5 hour ride as they would like, and a post-ride bonfire is on the agenda! 5. Earn your "New Year Good Karma" at a DNR Volunteer Workday Throughout January | Island Lake, Highland, and Bald Mountain State Recreation Areas and Belle Isle State Park | 9 a.m. Another common New Year's Resolution includes doing more to make this world a better place. Volunteering your time, donating your money, or contributing to charity in a variety of other ways. If this reflects one of your goals - especially if you want your efforts to directly benefit the Detroit region's outdoors - then we applaud you and have a perfect volunteer opportunity for you. Fortunately for all of us, the DNR has taken the lead in sponsoring four official "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" events across the Detroit region at Island Lake State Recreation Area (January 7th), Bald Mountain State Recreation Area (January 14th), Belle Isle State Park (January 21st), and Highland State Recreation Area (January 28th). Work crew activities will focus on piling brush, stacking firewood, cutting invasive shrubs, and restoring wetlands. Rainboots or other waterproof boots are recommended for these events, and preregistration is required. 6. Defrost your Cross-Country Skis for Frosty Fest! 2023 January 14th | Huron Meadows Metropark | 10 a.m. Full-disclosure, the Expedition Detroit team has had "cross-country skiing" on our recreational activity wishlist for some time now. In other words, we're complete rookies at this sport - despite decades of downhill skiing experience. We've been looking for an opportunity to dive head first into this sport, and this year's iteration of Frosty Fest! represents an ideal chance to start getting into the action! Located at Huron Meadows Metropark, Frosty Fest! will include a man-made snow course of multiple 2.4km loops. If natural snow permits, then the races will take place on the normal cross-country ski trails. The race offerings include 5K (MI Cup Junior points) and 15K (MI Cup Senior points) distances. Quick note on Huron Meadows Metropark: the metropark has been dubbed the "Southeast Michigan destination for skate-style and classic cross-country ski trails." Skiers can choose from 14.8 miles of trails for classic skiing or 9 miles of skate skiing. All trails are groomed daily and are lighted at night. The metropark's "Ski Center" (Golf Starter Building) features classic-style and skate-style ski rentals and a heated lounge, restrooms, and snacks. Groups of 10 or more can make arrangements to rent skis during the week. 7. Find Fresh Tracks on the Winter Wildlife Hike January 14th | Lake St. Clair Metropark | 10 a.m. Contrary to popular belief, not all species of wildlife either migrate or hibernate during Detroit's colder months. In fact, the rangers at Lake St. Clair Metropark have nearly-perfected the art of tracking down our region's wintry wildlife during these colder, darker days of the year. The metropark is hosting a guided Winter Wildlife Hike through the park's beautiful nature trails in search of the park's wildlife, adaptive seasonal behaviors, and other interesting attributes regarding each animal's ability to survive Michigan's harsh winters. Warm up afterwards in the Nature Center by a roaring fire. The hike will take participants through approximately .75 mile of trail on even terrain with possible snow coverage. 8. Embrace the Elements in an Ode to Snow Ultra Race January 15th | Holly State Recreation Area | 9:20 a.m. Let's call a spade a spade: winter trail running in Michigan is not for the faint of heart. The cold temps, unpredictable conditions, and fleeting daylight has a cumulative effect of weeding out any recreationists that prefer their trails, clean, dry, and warm. The Detroit region's winter trails are the playground of our most passionate, badass, "no pain no gain" genre of runners. If you fit in that camp, then oh boy - do we have the event for you. Crazy trail runners, meet "Ode in the Snow": an up to 8 hour "backyard style" ultra trail race along the (in)famous Ode to Laz Trail Loop in Holly State Recreation Area. The trail constitutes a 4.167 mile trail loop that has approximately 450 feet of climbing, is 2/3 technical single track, 1/3 moderate walking/hiking path, and a few hundred yards of pavement. For the event, runners are free to pick their favorite distance or run as much as they'd like, starting at 9:20 a.m. Runners looking for shorter distances should join Wave 2 at 2:20 p.m. 9. Cross-Country Ski Under Candlelight January 21st | Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area | 5:30 p.m. As we said - we're really excited about getting into cross-country skiing this season, and this illuminated trail event hosted by the DNR at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area provides the perfect opportunity for skiers of all abilities to hit the trail. Skiers will traverse a well-groomed trail through the park illuminated by candles at night. The event also includes a post-ski warm up by a roaring fire with refreshments. Snow shoes are also welcome to walk along side the groomed ski track as well. If there is a lack of snow, this will be a walking event. Note that cross-country skis and snowshoes will not be available to borrow or rent. 10. Close Out the Month with a Guided Winter Hike January 28th | Indian Springs Metropark | 8 a.m. This January, we challenge you to close out this month exactly hope it began - on a trail, exploring our wild places, and building momentum towards earning your most active year yet. The ranger team at Indian Springs Metropark have made this easy for all of us by hosting an informative Winter Hike across the metropark's open prairie landscape and peaceful forest while searching for signs of wildlife. Participants will also learn about how native Michigan species survive the cold weather and long nights. The hike route may traverse level, composite wood boardwalks and hilly mixed gravel and grass pathways. Snow boots and ice grips are recommended as trails may be snow-covered and icy. Happy New Year to you all, and wishing you nothing but the best heading into 2023. We can’t wait to see you out there! 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.

April means spring, and spring means the return of prime time in Detroit's outdoors! As our trails, campgrounds, and waterways reopen for the masses, these "Top Ten Outdoor Events" will serve as your guide for navigating this month's super-bloom of recreation opportunities. Congratulations! If you're reading this, then you've successfully survived March, the purgatory of outdoor recreation in the Detroit region. Not quite winter. Not quite spring. Just...March. A turn of the calendar may not feel like much, but for the majority of outdoor enthusiasts in the Great Lakes, April 1st marks "Opening Day" for the great migration back to our trails. Hiking, trail running, backpacking, cycling, mountain biking, paddling, canoe camping...even hunting is back on the agenda for April. Yes, you should probably acquire some rain gear and waterproof boots. But our wild places will be fully-open for business again this month, which is absolutely worth celebrating. In anticipation of the new world of outdoor opportunities opening up tomorrow, we sifted through the deluge of experiences to curate this list of the "Top Ten Outdoor Events" for April. We can't wait to see you all again on the trails this spring! 1. Embrace the Season at the Signs of Spring Hike April 1st | Maybury State Park | 12 p.m. This is NOT an April Fool's joke: spring has FINALLY arrived in the Detroit region, and there's no better way to validate that fact than hitting the trails and experiencing the change of seasons for yourself! The DNR crew at Maybury State Park has fortunately decided to kick off this month with their guided "Signs of Spring Hike" - a one mile hike around Maybury's beautiful fishing pond to search for buds, blooms, and birds. In proper spring form, the conditions will be muddy and rainy, so please dress accordingly. 2. Seize the Day - and Night - at the Carpe Diem/Noctem Trail Race April 8th | Proud Lake State Recreation Area | 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The ice has thawed. The trails are (hopefully) drying. The birds, blooms, and beauty of spring in Michigan's state parks and recreation areas are returning to full strength. Now is the PERFECT time to run Proud Lake's famous trails that you've missed all winter long. So perfect that you should run them twice...in the same day...as your first trail race of the season. That's the hypothesis of the "Carpe Diem - Noctem" 10K and half-marathon trail race events, and we absolutely dig it. This dual time/multiple event extravaganza offers a variety of racing options for runners looking to burn up Proud Lake's loops for both their morning and evening runs. Plus, finishers will get to add one of the most unique medals that we've ever seen to their collection. Yeah, we're sold. 3. Run Out of this World at the Martian Invasion of Races April 15th | Dearborn, Michigan | 8:00 a.m. Once a year, Dearborn literally becomes the center of the universe: the destination for an intergalactic coalition of Earthlings and Martians. Each jumping to hyperspeed for cosmic journeys of 5K to full marathon-length expeditions. Regardless of whether you will be embarking on that all-important "one small step" for your fitness journey, or a "giant leap" towards conquering your distance running goals, the Martian Invasion of Races has an event for every outdoor - and outer space - enthusiast. 4. Own the Night at the Pegasus Night Run or Ride April 15th | Holly Oaks ORV Park | 6:00 p.m. (Bike) and 8:30 p.m. (Run) Headlamps will be ablaze at Holly Oaks ORV Park on the 15th! Hosted by Kona Running Company, this unique endurance event will challenge riders and runners to a 5K loop event where competitors will be rewarded for the most laps completed on the course. The Pegasus Night Run or Ride will also feature grilled food and a post-race bonfire. Oh, and the first 150 registered participants will receive a LED sport beanie! 5. Bid Good Riddance to Winter at an Essex Region Cleanup April 15th | Little River Watershed and Sandwich, Windsor | 10:00 a.m. Winter provides a double-edged sword when it comes to the beautification of our favorite outdoor spaces. On one hand, the clean slate of a fresh blanket of snow provides postcard-worthy images of untainted beauty. On the other hand, there's the spring thaw: the muddy exposure of the debris that powder had conveniently hidden from our collective consciousness for a few months of bliss. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're in the latter of those two circumstances now. Fortunately for all outdoor enthusiasts, the Essex Region Conservation Authority has organized two official "Cleanups" to tackle any lingering debris along the waterways of southwestern Ontario. One Cleanup will occur at McKee Park in Sandwich, just south of the Ambassador Bridge. The second Cleanup will focus on a portion of the Little River corridor and Ganatchio Trail. Our outdoor spaces are best enjoyed when cared for - we hope to see you at one of these Cleanups! 6. Get in the Woods for Opening Day of Turkey Season April 22nd | Throughout Michigan Turkeys in April...? For non-hunters, this inclusion likely strikes you as an out-of-place callback to fall foliage, unavoidable family arguments, and the Lions' push towards a playoff berth (this season for sure). For hunters, April is primetime to get back into the woods for spring turkey season. In the Detroit region, opening day officially kicks off at 6:10 a.m. on the 22nd. Beyond the recreational enjoyment and plentiful harvest that turkey season entails, we also wanted to highlight the immense conservation value of regulated turkey hunting - often dubbed the "Greatest Conservation Success Story." When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, only 1.3 million wild turkeys remained in the continent. Now, after 50 years of careful conservation and management, there are approximately 7 million wild turkeys throughout North America. Science-backed conservation works, and we at Expedition Detroit are proud to support it. Especially when it's fun and fulfilling. 7. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve April 22nd | Point Pelee National Park | 7:30 p.m. The days may finally be getting lighter, but the stars at Point Pelee National Park - the single best stargazing destination in the Detroit region - are still shining as bright as ever! Point Pelee's "Dark Sky Nights" are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave near-freezing temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. 8. Celebrate the Bloom at a Spring Festival April 22nd-23rd | Kensington Metropark | 12 p.m. For most outdoor enthusiasts, the end of winter is worth celebrating - especially when celebrating at one of the most beloved Huron-Clinton Metoparks! Head over to Kensington Metropark's Spring Festival for a variety of family-friendly experiences, like demonstrations of spring-time farm skills, a Rosco the Clown performance, and a visit to the Kensington Living History Village where you can view blacksmithing and early pioneer skills. The event is free and all are welcome! 9. Kick Off Trail Racing Season at THE Trail Race Event April 29th | Pinckney State Recreation Area | 8:00 a.m. In full transparency, this may be the single event that we're most looking forward to this month for a few very subjective reasons. First, the "Road End 5-Mile" event was the first trail race that I ever completed and fundamentally changed my love, appreciation, and understanding of trail running. Second, "Trail" formally kicks off RF Events' "GOAT Trail Series," a season-long trail running series where runners collect points to compete for a prestigious "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) title. Our team had a ton of fun - and found some extra running motivation - while participating in the 2022 GOAT Series. We'll see you all at the official starting line of the 2023 trail season! 10. Exercise your Legs and Mind at the Detroit Pheasant Walk April 30th | DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit, Michigan | 8:30 a.m. Did you know that the ring-necked pheasant has been a resident species of Detroit for decades? One that is carefully managed by the Michigan DNR? The general outdoor community has a lot to learn about this very unique bird thriving within our community, and the OAC has prepared an active AND educational experience to educate enthusiasts about our pheasants. Join OAC staff and Detroit Audubon for their "Detroit Pheasant Walk" along the riverfront and other areas around the OAC to look and listen for this beautiful Detroit grassland bird. The guided walk will include discussions on how pheasants may have arrived to the Detroit region, where they have settled, and why they have stayed. As an extra bonus, the OAC will host a showing of the award-winning documentary short "Pheasants of Detroit" at the conclusion of the walk. 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.

The Detroit Metro Airport - a world-class hub for domestic and international travel alike - provides weary travelers with an amazing opportunity to explore our region during long layovers. Here's our list of 5 recommended day trips for visiting outdoor enthusiasts. Welcome to Detroit! Well, kind of - really, welcome to your layover at Detroit Metro Airport, an award-winning destination in its own right for its high quality of passenger experience. Detroit Metro Airport, and specifically its McNamara Terminal, is also a Delta and SkyTeam hub that services regular direct flights from Amsterdam and Buenos Aires to Tokyo and Riyadh. More specifically, the Detroit Metro Airport directly connects our region via 13 airlines to hundreds of global destinations. Practically, this means that thousands of travelers pass through the pristine corridors of the Detroit Metro Airport on a daily basis. Of those airline passengers, a sizable proportion will find themselves with a few hours to burn - maybe even a day or more - before their next flight whisks them away. Sure, such travelers could spend their layover à la Tom Hanks in "The Terminal" and never leave the confines of DTW. However, if you have 5+ hours between flights and have stiff legs craving a little exercise, we strongly encourage you to stray from the herd and cave in to a little wanderlust. The legendary Anthony Bourdain, whose passing I'm still mourning, once headlined a show called "The Layover." The premise of the show involved Bourdain spending anywhere from 24 to 48 hours in a city, maximizing his exploration time within micro-adventure confines. Bourdain's narration during the show's trailer includes this final synoptic tagline: "This is what I would do in one action-packed adventure." Locals and travelers alike, if you're looking to turn your stop at Detroit Metro Airport into an action-packed adventure, here are the five activities that we at Expedition Detroit would do to maximize your limited time around the Motor City. REDISCOVER DOWNTOWN DETROIT | Detroit Riverwalk ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: 35 minutes Experience Highlights: Downtown Detroit; Detroit Riverwalk; Dequindre Cut; William G. Milliken State Park; Hart Plaza; Southwest Greenway; and panoramic Detroit River views Equipment Needed: Comfortable walking and/or running shoes Cost: Free If this is your first time ever to the Detroit region, then your best bet for a highlight reel experience is exploring the world-famous Detroit Riverwalk. The reigning three-peat champion of USA Today's "Best Riverwalk in America" designation, the 3.5 mile trail guides its nearly 4 million annual visitors on a "best of the best" tour of the City of Detroit's outdoor ecosystem. Expect energetic plazas with family-friendly events and vendors, historical monuments, live music, street performances, all while enjoying striking views of the vibrant Detroit River and Windsor, Ontario. The Detroit Riverwalk also provides intrepid hikers and runners with direct access to Belle Isle Park, the Dequindre Cut, and the freshly-minted Southwest Greenway. PADDLE THE HURON | Oakwoods Metropark ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: 15 minutes Experience Highlights: Paddling along the Huron River National Water Trail Equipment Needed: Swimsuit, sunglasses, and sun protection Cost: $20 -30 USD for kayak or canoe rental; Metroparks pass also may be required for entry if parking on site Situated surprisingly close to Detroit Metro Airport, the scenic woodlands and picturesque views of the Huron River are waiting for you at Oakwoods Metropark. While each of the Huron-Clinton Metroparks offer unique outdoor experiences for their visitors, Oakwoods provides layover passengers with the opportunity not only to visit the famous wetlands of Southeast Michigan, but to explore one of our region's greatest assets: the Huron. Motor City Canoe Rental offers canoe and kayak rental options for paddling enthusiasts looking for a hands-on experience on the river. HIKE THROUGH HISTORY | River Raisin National Battlefield Park ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: 25 minutes Experience Highlights: Downtown Monroe, Michigan; River Raisin National Battlefield Park Equipment Needed: Comfortable walking and/or running shoes Cost: Free Beyond serving as the closest national park site to Detroit Metro Airport, River Raisin National Battlefield Park provides a living memorial to the single bloodiest battle ever fought on Michigan soil. The park and its immaculate visitor center memorializes the 483 American, British, Canadian, and Native American lives that were lost during the park's namesake War of 1812 battle. Any visit to River Raisin will provide visitors with an immensely impactful historical experience and an opportunity to hike or run along the well-maintained and educational River Raisin National Battlefield Park trail. EXPLORE NEW SHORES | Windsor Riverfront Trail ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: 40 minutes Experience Highlights: Downtown Windsor, Ontario; Windsor Riverfront Trail; public art exhibits; panoramic plazas; and the Trans-Canada Trail Equipment Needed: Comfortable walking and/or running shoes Cost: Border crossing fees ($16 - 20 USD) Did you know that the Detroit region is slated to represent the new "Trails Capital of North America?" That's right - thanks to our city's southern neighbor of Windsor, Ontario, outdoor enthusiasts can readily turn an American layover into an international adventure. After crossing the border via either the Ambassador Bridge or Windsor Tunnel, the quintessential Windsor Riverfront Trail eagerly waits to greet you with its public art displays, beautiful gardens, expansive plazas, and can't-beat views of the skyscrapers of Downtown Detroit. The completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge will make the Detroit-Windsor connection even more efficient - and expeditious - with pedestrian-only lanes that will link the Trans Canada Trail with the Iron Belle Trail. EXPERIENCE A GUIDED ADVENTURE | 11 Michigan State Parks ETA from Detroit Metro Airport: Destination-dependent; 1 hour 35 minutes at most Experience Highlights: Hiking or trail running adventure; expertise of local guide; exploring natural beauty of Southeast Michigan Equipment Needed: Comfortable hiking or running shoes Cost: $25 - $70 We may be a little biased, but if we had to recommend only one experience around the Detroit Metro Airport, we would be honored to host you on one of our guided adventure trips! Expedition Detroit is proud to offer the largest variety of guided trips within 11 pristine Michigan state parks in the Detroit region. From first time hikers to world-class trekkers and trail runners, our guides can't wait to lead you on your perfect adventure in Detroit's great outdoors. From Detroit Metro Airport, the closest Michigan State Park where Expedition Detroit offers guided hikes is also one of Michigan's most beautiful, unique, and historic: Belle Isle Park. Setting off from the Ralph Wilson Gateway, this guided hike traverses Belle Isle's southern shore, providing hikers with stunning views of the Windsor shoreline, the vibrant Detroit River, and the industrial freighters passing by. You will also pass by the Belle Isle Lighthouse, Blue Heron Lagoon, and locally-named "Hipster Beach" on the route. GETTING AROUND TOWN Detroit is the Motor City: if you want to get around this corner of the world, you're going to largely need four wheels to do so. From Detroit Metro Airport, the ground transportation options include rental car, taxis, rideshare applications, and public transportation. Rental cars will obviously provide you with the most freedom, but are also the most expensive means of transportation and require an off-campus shuttle. Taxis and rideshare applications like Uber and Lyft provide destination-specific transportation and are readily available from Detroit Metro Airport, although we also strongly recommend pre-arranging your return rides before leaving the airport. While the most cost effective, public transportation has represented one of the logistical thorns in the Detroit region's side for generations. We only recommend that you consider utilizing the Detroit Metro Airport's public bus services if you plan on visiting the Detroit or Windsor Riverwalks, both of which are accessible via bus lines that pass through the Rosa Parks Transit Center.

Is it winter or spring..? Nobody in the Detroit region really knows, especially March. Regardless of this month's conditions, here is our March Survival Guide: five tips for surviving, and dare we say thriving, within the most unpredictable month of the recreational year. The idea for this article struck me exactly one year ago today, as I stared at the muddy soup that had previously resembled the Milford Mountain Biking Trail. The trail was simply unrideable, so my mind started racing to other recreational pursuits that I could substitute for my ill-fated MTB session. Kayaking on the Huron River? No, that's a no-go. Most of the river is still frozen. How about skiing? Eh, half of the runs are green fields thanks to the recent rains and heat spells. Trail running? Road running or biking? Anything?? I settled on a hike with my trail pup that March day - a messy, muddy hike through the rolling hills and leafless vistas of Highland State Recreation Area. That hike changed the momentum of my day, however; from the pit of recreational despair rose up an idea - no, a calling - to brainstorm a game plan on how to avoid similar scenarios in the future. A predetermined attack plan for maximizing outdoor experiences in less-than-ideal conditions. A means of heading into unpredictable elements head-on, as opposed to allowing the weather to dictate your outdoor agenda. The net result is this five-point survival guide to the month of March, fit for every outdoor enthusiast. 1. CAPITALIZE ON SHOULDER SEASON FLEXIBILITY As everyone in the Detroit region knows, you can experience all four seasons within the month of March. One week's whiteout blizzard can abruptly melt into the next's 80ºF heatwave. The end result is that muddy, thawing trails tend to dominate this season, but nimble, proactive outdoor enthusiasts can harness the power of March to their advantage. Does the forecast call for snow? Awesome - grab your board or skis and plan on getting first tracks at one of Detroit's "Big Four" ski and snowboard resorts, which will remain open - weather permitting - through the end of March. Dryer conditions coming down the pipeline? Sweet - we recommend opting for your road bike, pavement running shoes, or kayak while the natural trails thaw out, which can take days or even weeks of consistently dry weather. Trail running and mountain biking, in that order, should be the last activities on your March recreational agenda. Remember: if you're leaving deep tracks, leave the trail. 2. MAXIMIZE YOUR HIKES - FOR THE NEXT HIKER The sun rises. The trail thaws. The trees remain barren. Your lungs are filled with the crisp air of early spring. And your eyes calibrate to unspoiled vistas of the our region's beautiful forests, hills, and waterways. Well...almost unspoiled. Unfortunately, flowers aren't the only colorful beings that come forth from our annual snowmelt. Trash - lots and lots of trash - reliably emerges each spring from the pristine snow that had hid their existence for the past season. Even autumn's fallen leaves that have wrinkled under the pressure of the snow can no longer aid in its concealment. March is the single best time of the year to go hiking with a trash bag and protective gloves. The coming weeks will provide a fleeting window between snowmelt and bloom where hikers' visibility - especially within areas with thick cover during the warmer months - will reach peak levels. March represents the perfect opportunity to volunteer your time towards preparing our trails for the peak usage months that are just around the corner. Would rather volunteer with others rather than lead your own cleanup hike? No problem - DNR has even organized several official "Volunteer Stewardship Workdays" for this month, with the next occurring at Highland State Recreation Area on March 18th. 3. GO SHED HUNTING For most hunters, there are two primary hunting seasons: whitetail deer and waterfowl in the fall, and turkey hunting in the spring. In between those peak periods, hunters can get a little stir crazy - especially during the late winter and early spring months when harsh conditions cause wildlife to bed down and cabin fever to set in. Fortunately, March provides an exceptionally time of year for whitetail hunters to chase their game in a different, non-lethal way. Shed hunting consists of scouting for the shed antlers of bucks, which are typically completely shed by March. Like other antlered animals, deer begin to shed their antlers following the late-fall rut when their testosterone levels start to rapidly decrease. Beyond just yet another excuse to get back in the woods, shed heading can provide hunters with several informational benefits towards preparing for next fall's main event. Finding the shed of a particular buck that you had scouted over previous informs you that, obviously, your target buck survived the previous fall. The condition of the base of the shed also indicates the general health of the animal (the cleaner the better). Last, the location of the shed can identify late-season bedding habits, food sources, and travel corridors. 4. KICK OFF YOUR TRAINING REGIMEN While we at Expedition Detroit are firm believers that race season never truly ends, we're also not oblivious to the fact that mainstream race season kicks off post-thaw in April. Several of Detroit's leading race companies, like RF Events, Kona Running, and several others kick off their formal race season on April 1st. With March's notorious oscillation between wintry and spring-like conditions, the Detroit region's favorite running trails will be your best - and possibly only - bet for consistent outdoor recreation. Most of April's races constitute lower-mileage races (10K or less), so March presents the perfect opportunity to build up your running base with consistent, low-mileage runs. Trust us, your de-hibernating legs will thank you. 5. PLAN YOUR SUMMER ADVENTURES Believe it or not, backpacking, bike-packing, canoe-camping, and regular car camping season is just around the corner! Don't let the unrelenting snowfalls discourage you - in just a few short months, the Detroit region's thousands of miles of cycling, hiking, and paddling trails will be open and accessible for your overnight adventures. While winter remains, we invite you to join us in our planning efforts. The Michigan DNR's campsite reservations are already starting to fill up for the peak summer months, so we strongly advise that you jump on any prospective dates that you are hoping to camp within a state park or recreation area. Our #TrailTuesday series will also continue to highlight our region's 50 most popular trails for hiking, backpacking, cycling, and trail running - especially during post-thaw conditions. To help with your planning activities, here is a quick run-down of our favorite Detroit region guidebooks: Best Tent Camping Michigan by Matt Forster Best Bike Rides - Detroit and Ann Arbor by Rob Pulcipher 50 Hikes in Michigan by Jim DuFresne Paddling Michigan by Kevin Hillstrom and Laurie Collier Hillstrom Rail-Trails - Michigan & Wisconsin by the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy What are your favorite "Shoulder Season" recreational activities? Do you have any additional insights or ideas that would benefit Detroit's outdoor community this month? If yes, then awesome - let us know in the comments!

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition journeys to the Detroit region's northernmost destination - Holly Recreation Area - and its quintessential Wilderness Trail Loop. We invite you to explore this oasis of wilderness on our metropolitan frontier! "Wilderness in Oakland County - alright, I definitely need to check this one out." Those were my thoughts as I first read about Holly Recreation Area's famous "Wilderness Trail Loop" in Jim DuFresne's 50 Hikes in Michigan guidebook, and admittedly, I was skeptical. Don't get me wrong, I was practically praying for the "wilderness" designation to hold true, but come on... Holly Recreation Area is located in Oakland County and bisected by I-75, one of the premiere commercial corridors of the entire State of Michigan. Could this trail really hold up to its name? How does one even define "wilderness"? The WILD Foundation has provided the most immediate definition available on Google: "Wilderness" is "the most intact, undisturbed wild natural areas left on our planet – those last truly wild places that humans do not control and have not developed with roads, pipelines or other industrial infrastructure." "Those last truly wild places." We at Expedition Detroit love that shorthand version of the definition, because it denotes a sense of scarcity to the nature of wilderness. Yes, the stunningly vast and untamed mountainous regions Out West undoubtedly qualify as wilderness. But under this definition, so does those hundreds of acres of forest that our forefathers decided were worth preserving in their God-ordained state, free from the scourge of development that the coming decades would unleash around them. Those sanctuaries that have become vital component's of North America's fight against a mental health epidemic. Those trails where you can just be in your natural state. Yes: we're relieved to report that the Wilderness Trail Loop qualifies as a bona fide wilderness area. A truly wild place where you can explore free from developed society's omnipresence. It's our pleasure to reintroduce Holly Recreation Area and its most beloved trail now. MEET HOLLY RECREATION AREA The formal history of Holly Recreation Area dates back towards the end of the Second World War. As hundreds of thousands of soldiers, sailors, and pilots started to return from the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific, those men also brought back an unprecedented interest and experience with outdoor recreation due to their military training, outdoor gear, and newfound leisure time afforded to them by postwar prosperity. From the mid-1940s on, this booming interest in America's outdoor spaces prompted an explosion in the development and protection of Federal, state, and community parks. Holly Recreation Area and its 8,007 protected acres resulted from that interest. In 1944, the preliminary boundaries of Holly State Recreation Area were established and the park officially opened in 1948. The development of picnic areas, campgrounds, and structural facilities continued into the 1950s, including the establishment of Mt. Holly Ski Area (before its transfer to private ownership in 1966). The park's size continued to grow well into the 1980s as the Michigan Department of Conservation acquired approximately 3,500 additional acres straddling both sides of I-75. Nearly 80 years since its establishment, the Holly Recreation Area of today still maintains its defining rolling woodlands and open fields for endless outdoor recreational opportunities. The recreation area has evolved into a generational destination for hiking, camping, swimming, picnicking, fishing, boating, and hunting. As of recent years, the park has also become increasingly sought-after for mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Nonetheless, hiking still remains Holly Rec.'s most popular recreational activity, with 66% of park visitors exploring its forests and grasslands on foot. And - you guessed it - the Wilderness Trail Loop represents Holly Recreation Area's most revered hiking route. Let's get to the trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 5.7 miles Elevation Gain: 416 feet Trail Rating: Moderate Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Parking available at trailhead north of Wildwood Lake (Michigan Recreation Passport required) Looking at the map for the Wilderness Trail, the comprehensive loop around McGinnis Lake somewhat resembles the shape of Australia. Or so I thought when I pulled up the trail map. So, seeing as I'm an outspoken geography nerd, I'm going to shamelessly utilize Australia for kicking off our trail orientation. There are two main "Aussie starting points" for the Wilderness Trail: "Melbourne" in the south, as depicted in the approach shown in the map above, or "Port Douglas" in the north, which on the Wilderness Trail is trail marker #7. For those hikers, trail runners, or snowshoers that are looking for the extended cut version of this hike, then the Melbourne starting point just north of Wildwood Lake is your best bet. Starting at Port Douglas - where you will park behind the Groveland Township Hall and spot the trail marker on the far side of a playground - shaves off roughly a mile of the hike (just the out-and-back from the main trailhead). When we completed the hike, we started from Port Douglas and did not feel cheated out of any aspect of the experience. Starting from the main Melbourne trailhead, the first 0.5 miles of the hike consist of a steady, rocky downhill towards the McGinnis Group Campground. After passing briefly through the campground area, the trail very comfortably climbs to its highest elevation of 1,098 feet at the 1.2 mile marker. This first segment of the trail through Holly's hardwoods, overlooking marshlands to the east and west, finishes with a steady climb north towards trail marker #7 - aka Port Douglas. If you're hiking in the afternoon, now is the time to put your sunglasses on: from here you'll be hiking west for 1.6 miles. The northernmost segment of the trail consists of a long, gradual descent over roughly a mile and a half. The trail's character will remain characterized by hardwood forest with panoramic views of Holly's defining rolling hills, although don't get caught off guard by the trail's brief but steepest ascent at the 2.5 mile marker. Also, stay on the lookout for stunning views of an apparently unnamed body of water at the 3.2 mile marker - perfect spot to stop for a lunch break (or trail beer). After completing a downhill segment through a rare prairie section of the trail, you will enter "the pines zone" and start to climb. And continue to climb. In total, you will ascend 112 feet over 1.6 miles of steady climbing (with a few intermittent descents), but the increasingly stunning views of McGinnis Lake to your left will reward your effort. One navigational item of note for this trail segment is to turn right when you come across the paved park road at the 4.3 mile marker; the directions for this crossing are not very well marked, but fortunately the continuation of the trail is very visible to your left once you cross the bridge. Your hike will finish with more stunning views of McGinnis Lake before turning sharply south to return to the Melbourne trailhead. WEEKEND BONUS TIPS "Holly Recreation Area: Find Every Adventure Here." We don't know how that's not the official slogan of Holly Rec. (looking at you, DNR), but that simple moniker couldn't be more true of the borderline excessive amount of outdoor recreation opportunities available in and around the park. Let's start with the basics. Beyond phenomenal hiking, other trail sport options at Holly include trail running, mountain biking, metal detecting, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. The park's several lakes provide pristine paddling routes for leisurely exploration, most notably at Heron, Valley, Wildwood, and Crotched Lakes. Holly Recreation Area also permits seasonal camping, hunting, and fishing within defined areas of the park. Don't forget to reserve any campsites well in advance, especially if you'd like a prime spot at the McGinnis Lake Campground. But wait, there's more. The area surrounding Holly - as well as certain backcountry areas of the park proper - provides some of the Detroit region's best off-road vehicle ("ORV") riding opportunities. Snowmobiling is permitted within the park, while the nearby Holly Oaks ORV Park utilizes its sand and gravel mines to create a unique destination for all types of ORVs, including full-size vehicles, side-by-sides, all-terrain vehicles, and motorcycles. A few final recreation options of note include the park's disc golf course and "WhoaZone" floating waterpark at Heron Lake. Ski Pure Michigan: Mt. Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort During the winter months, your obvious choice for off-trail recreation will be hiding in plain sight. On second thought, Mt. Holly Ski and Snowboard Resort won't be hiding at all - the resort's snowcapped peak at 1,115 feet provides road-weary travelers with a welcomed sign of waiting adventure. You can even catch glimpses of the resort from the Wilderness Trail's westernmost segments. For the uninitiated, Mt. Holly is one of the Detroit region's "Big Four" winter resorts that provides skiers and riders with the most elevation gain at 350 feet. Mt. Holly contains 19 runs featuring the full spectrum of beginner to expert terrain, including tow ropes, terrain parks, and tree runs (that are especially fun). More of an après aficionado? You're in luck: Mt. Holly's Bavarian-style lodge comes fully-stocked with two cafeterias, an expansive outdoor patio with a central fire ring, another fireplace room, and a spacious lounge (with, of course, additional fireplaces). Hard to imagine a better setting to loosen up the boots, order a stein, and kick back after an exhilarating day on the mountain. Before signing off on this article, we wanted to give a special, unsponsored shout-out to the guide book 50 Hikes in Michigan by Jim DuFresne. This fantastic book has been in the Expedition Detroit library since our founding and has provided the initial inspiration for several world-class hikes in our region and throughout the Great Lakes state - including the Wilderness Trail. Do yourself a favor today and purchase a copy on Amazon or at a bookstore near you! The #TrailTuesday Series started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast outdoor 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!