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The Detroit Marathon annually broadcasts to the world that the city is a premiere racing destination, but the marathon is just the tip of the iceberg for Detroit’s running opportunities. Here are the five essential running trails for year-round exploration of Detroit - a true runner’s city. It’s been roughly a week since the Detroit Free Press Marathon - the crown jewel of our region’s annual outdoor events - electrified the streets of Detroit and Windsor. Now that the medals have been distributed and the crowds have resided, some runners may be tempted to hibernate through the winter or forgo running through the city until next year’s race. That, my dear friends, would be a tremendous mistake. In fact, we at Expedition Detroit respectfully argue that now is the single best time of the year to #RUNDET. Why, you may ask? Well, with the crowds gone, Detroit’s streets will be largely available for unhindered exploration. Any runners that flew in for the marathon will obviously be running their far-flung routes again, but a significant portion of local runners are also still resting their legs from the effort exerted during the race. Add in peak fall colors and cooler temperatures, the end result is truly a runner’s paradise. Now that you’re convinced and ready to lace up your shoes, are you unsure about recommended routes? Congratulations - you’ve landed on the right article. Here are the five essential, iconic, can’t-miss running trails within the City of Detroit: 1. Belle Isle Park Loop Distance: 5.6 miles Completion Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Running Trail Highlights: James Scott Memorial Fountain, Sunset Point, Nancy Brown Peace Carillon Tower, Belle Isle Nature Center, and Belle Isle Boat House If Detroit represents a treasure chest filled with spectacular running opportunities, then Belle Isle Park undoubtedly shines as its crown jewel. Located amidst of the vibrant blue waves of the Detroit River, Belle Isle's 982 acres capture not only the best aspects of the City of Detroit, but the entirety of the southeast region of the Great Lakes. Art deco architecture? Check. Pristine inland lakes and streams? Check. Wetlands? Woodlands? Zoos and Museums? Check, check, and check. Stated differently, you don't need to conduct much research to discover why Belle Isle has been a recreational paradise since its inauguration in 1879. While Belle Isle contains several natural trails that are fantastic for hiking, the predominant running trail on the island sticks to the main paved roads that intersect throughout the park. The counterclockwise route starts at the main entrance to the park, right at the end of the MacArthur Bridge. The initial mile will lead you directly towards Sunset Point - possibly the best view of Downtown Detroit from within the city limits - and towards the beautiful James Scott Memorial Fountain along the southern coast of the island. Continuing east, you will run past the inland Lake Tacoma, Great Lakes Museum, and several scenic picnic grounds as you venture towards inland Lake Okonoka. While the Blue Heron Lagoon nature trail will certainly be tempting, this running trail requires you to stay on Lakeside Drive as you jog past the Belle Isle Nature Center, inland Lake Muskoday, the Detroit Yacht Club, and Belle Isle Beach. The route ends right where you began - at the entrance point to the MacArthur Bridge - although now you will finish right alongside the historic Belle Isle Boat House on Riverbank Drive. Bonus Tip: Remember all of those scenic picnic spots that you just jogged past, especially those that have postcard-worthy views of Detroit's skyline or the Windsor shoreline? Well, we recommend circling back to one of those, laying out a picnic blanket, camp chairs, or hammock if you're near trees, and enjoying a well-deserved relaxation session after completing your grand tour of Belle Isle. Extra points if your friends meet you there with yard games, a speaker, and post-run snacks. 2. Detroit Riverwalk Trail Distance: 5.3 miles Completion Time: 1 hour 10 minutes Running Trail Highlights: Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, Hart Plaza, William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, Mt. Elliot Park, and Gabriel Richard Park Writing a review of the stunningly beautiful Detroit Riverwalk Trail is a bit of a moving target. For starters, the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy constantly has their sleeves rolled up while breaking ground on new segments, featured destinations, and community events along the Riverwalk Trail. As of the moment that I'm writing this article, the Riverwalk Trail stretches roughly 5.3 miles from Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park to Gabriel Richard Park. Ongoing projects will further expand the Riverwalk Trail both east and west along the Detroit River, so there's a decent chance - no, an absolute certainty - that I will need to circle back on this article. The current iteration of the Riverwalk Trail starts at western edge of Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, right where W. Jefferson Avenue and Rosa Parks Boulevard meet. While the trail briefly connects to W. Jefferson Avenue around the Riverfront Towers, runners rejoin the river just south of the former Joe Louis Arena site (RIP). Continue east as you jog past the skyscrapers of downtown, including memorable highlights like Huntington Place, the Detroit Princess Riverboat, Hart Plaza, the International Memorial to the Underground Railroad, and the Renaissance Center. This unbroken stretch of the Riverwalk Trail leads you directly into William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, including a direct link to the Dequindre Cut Greenway Trail (spoiler alert). For this run, however, you're going to continue pressing east - past the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, through the Harbortown Marina and Mt. Elliott Park, and finally reaching your finish line at Gabriel Richard Park. Bonus Tip: If you choose to run this trail from point-to-point, we only ask for one favor in return: promise us that you will return to the Riverwalk Trail simply to walk and explore all of the amenities that "America's Best Riverwalk" has to offer. Truly, it felt like a sin to skip over the overwhelming amount of incredible attractions, facilities, landmarks, and exploration opportunities that are featured within or directly accessible from the Riverwalk Trail. We'll write up a feature just on the Riverwalk, but until then, please - go forth and explore it. 3. The Dequindre Cut Greenway Distance: 2 miles Completion Time: 24 minutes Running Trail Highlights: “Art Walk” murals, Dequindre Cut Freight Yard, Eastern Market, Campbell Terrace, and Outdoor Adventure Center Possibly the most famous "Rail Trail" in Michigan, the Dequindre Cut Greenway trail was part of the Grand Trunk Railroad line in a former life, running parallel to St. Aubin Street. Since 2009, however, a coalition formed by the U.S. Government, City of Detroit, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation has provided new life to this formerly abandoned and blighted outdoor space. In its current glory, the Dequindre Cut is a 2 mile trail that serves as a lightening rod for invigorating community recreation, social events, and urban art inspiration. A run down the Dequindre Cut is a quintessential Detroit experience - a microcosm showcase of the past, present, and future of one of America's greatest cities. The most common running trail begins on the north end of the Dequindre Cut at Mack Avenue. Heading south, the Wilkins Street Plaza will be the first landmark, followed closely by the lively Dequindre Cut Freight Yard and its outdoor bar during the warmer months. Continuing south, enjoy an uninterrupted display of Detroit's finest street artwork - known as the "Art Walk" - until you come across the Campbell Terrace's outdoor stage and surrounding facilities. Fit Park and the DNR's Outdoor Adventure Center ("OAC") mark the final highlights before reaching the southern terminus of the Dequindre Cut at Atwater Street. Bonus Tip: The Dequindre Cut ends not only at the OAC, but also directly across Atwater Street from William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor. If you have the time, we strongly encourage you to take your time exploring both of these DNR destinations found conveniently in the core of Detroit, especially the exhibits at the OAC and the Detroit Riverwalk segments within the park. One of the best cool-down walks that you'll ever have, we guarantee it. 4. Rouge Park Distance: 5.1 miles Completion Time: 1 hour 5 minutes Running Trail Highlights: Joe Prance Recreation Area, Sorensen Recreation Area, Alex Jefferson Airfield, Cost Corner Recreation Area, and Scout Hollow Campground Trivia question: what is the name of the largest park within the City of Detroit? Most residents of our region would probably guess Belle Isle Park, the massive idyllic island floating within the Detroit River. Reasonable guess, but nonetheless incorrect: Rouge Park, consisting of 1,181 acres on the far western rim of the city, holds the title for largest recreation area within Detroit’s city limits. Better yet, the park maintains several of the best paved and natural running trails in the city. The running trail highlighted here is a paved route, although there are several nature trails that are immediately accessible from the main road running trail. Starting at crossroads of Rouge Park Drive and Spinoza Drive, head directly south towards Joe Prance Recreation Area - the site of the first of four nature trails that you will be able to access for additional mileage. Continuing in a counterclockwise direction, you will pass by the Butterfly Garden entrance to the Prairie Pathway, run along Warren Avenue on the southern boundary of the park, and turn north on the paved trail towards Sorenson Recreation Area before hitting Pierson Street. The northward route continues on Sorensen Promenade past Alex Jefferson Airfield, Cozy Corner Recreation Area, and Scout Hollow Campground, the only maintained campground within the City of Detroit (for now). Your run finishes right where it began, although not before crossing the namesake Rouge River. Bonus Tip: Looking for more adventure? Bring the mountain bike along for your Rouge Park expedition! Our friends at the Motor City Mountain Biking Association (“MCMBA”) maintain the City of Detroit’s only MTB-specific trail within Rouge Park, a 3 mile singletrack loop with its trailhead located at W. Outer Drive and Tireman Avenue. The MCMBA held one its “Trail Days” at Rouge Park back in April, during which volunteers significantly improved the trail’s features and general conditions. Expect to see us running AND biking Rouge Park soon! 5. City Center Circuits Distance: 3 - 10 miles (depending on route) Completion Time: 36 minutes (3 miles) or 2 hours (10 miles) Running Trail Highlights: Campus Martius Park, Wayne State University, Eastern Market, Cultural Center, and Hart Plaza Credit's owed where credit's due, so we must start by giving a shoutout to our friends at RUNdetroit for mapping the following running trails through Detroit's city center - the Downtown, Midtown, Corktown, Mexicantown, Eastern Market, Lafayette Park, Rivertown, New Center, and North End neighborhoods. The recommended routes are categorized as either red, blue, green, or gold loops, and each colored loop has a mileage variation of 3, 6, or 10 miles. While all of the colored loops begin at RUNdetroit's main storefront, that is quite literally the only trait that each run has in common. Depending on which route you decide to take, you could run through the heart of Downtown's skyscrapers pas Campus Martius, along the scenic Riverwalk Trail, down the cobbled streets of Corktown, among the museums in Midtown, past stadiums, markets, or any combination of the above. Each route contains a highlight reel of the best of Detroit's city core, providing runner's with exposure to a lifetime of exploration opportunities within each neighborhood that they will jog through. We absolutely love our wilderness runs, but there's an undeniable beauty to the history, architecture, and multiculturalism that have flourished within our great city for centuries. We're certain that you will agree as you take on any of these recommended routes. Bonus Tip: While any of these loops are free game to run independently, it would be a disservice to our readership to omit that the RUNdetroit Team leads guided runs along these routes every Saturday at 8AM. Each week, RUNdetroit will select a different colored loop for their guided run, although runners can select which distance they would like to run before the groups take off. Oh, and did we mention that these guided runs are free? Walking tours be damned - this is our favorite, cost-effective way to explore the city's core. Now that you've run Detroit's essential trails, are you still looking to explore our region's best outdoor experiences? Yet again, we've got you covered - be sure to check back here regularly for straight from the field, no B.S., original Expedition Detroit content. We also maintain our destinations page as new, off the beaten path exploration opportunities cross our radar. With so much to explore, there's no time to waste - we can't wait to see you out there.

Two hundred and ten years ago today, the bloodiest battle ever fought on Michigan soil came to a close, resulting in the United States' worst defeat of the War of 1812. Here we dive into the battle that forever stained the fields of River Raisin National Battlefield Park. It's 7:30 in the morning, and you're laying in a freezing canvas tent. A far cry from milder Kentucky winters spent sleeping next to your hearth, and for a brief moment you doubt every decision that brought you to camping next to a frozen river, during the dead of winter, in the inhospitable frontier known as the Michigan territory. As you rub the sleep from your eyes, your wits follow suit and you start to remember why you volunteered for the Army of the Northwest. You recall your mother's stories of suffering under the British Crown, which supplement your father's tales of glory during the War of Revolution. Your serotonin levels rise further and you remember the brief thrill of battle that you experienced just four days earlier, when you charged across the frozen River Raisin and forced the British and Native American alliance to abandon their positions. You smile as you remember the sight of those red coats ducking into the woods, running for their lives. These thoughts and the slight sound of the gently flowing river bring you some comfort in the midst of this inhospitable environment. The mirage abruptly ends when you suffer a terrifying realization. Your eyes frantically search for your musket. Your sword. Anything. That sound isn't water. The river's frozen. That sound is approaching men. Seconds later and your worst fears materialize as British guns and Native American war cries shatter the calm of a mid-winter morning. Musket balls start to rip through your tent before you can even get your boots on. You fall to the ground as canon fire rains down on your position. The Battle of River Raisin - the worst American defeat of the War of 1812 and bloodiest battle ever to be fought in Michigan - has begun. And you're not even out of that freezing canvas tent. GROUND ZERO: MONROE, MICHIGAN Let's fast forward now to Monroe, Michigan, circa January 2023. Re-named in honor of President James Monroe in 1817, the city straddles the River Raisin as it makes its final approach towards Lake Erie. The past two hundred years shaped the city into a manufacturing hub, mecca of paper production, regional energy producer, and destination for small town recreation and community enjoyment. Monroe provided a peaceful home for several notable Americans like General George Armstrong Custer, as well as household name companies like La-Z-Boy. Monroe also become home to several parks and outdoor recreation destinations, including its litany of beautiful parks along the River Raisin, Munson Park, and William C. Sterling State Park. Monroe's "River Walk" trail, opened only during the warmer months, guides residents and visitors alike along the northern and southern banks of the Raisin, criss-crossing from Saint Mary's Park, through downtown, and finishing at Soldiers and Sailors Park. Intrepid small tourists should continue down E Front St. until reaching Hellenberg Park and its bridge to Sterling Island. Potentially stepping in geese poop will be your only concern as you explore this peaceful, scenic route down the Raisin River. As you get to the bridge to Sterling Island, however, we encourage you to stop. Resist the urge to keep hiking and turn north to look across the Raisin. Today's snowfall (finally) resembles exactly how the banks of the Raisin appeared on that fateful morning, save a thoroughly frozen river. Filled with people - no, let's make them soldiers. Screaming and running for their lives. That's what you would have seen 210 years ago today from that exact spot: a military disaster unfolding into the worst massacre in Michigan's history. That's what occurred in the overgrown field, trash-dotted creek, and woodland patches comprising of River Raisin National Battlefield Park. That's the story that we want to dive into now to better appreciate the experience that our fictional "sleeping solider" actually lived through on that fateful morning. THE BATTLE OF RIVER RAISIN January 22, 1813 Paradoxically, Southeast Michigan's sole national park site should have never existed. In the wake of the humiliating surrender of Fort Detroit to the British on August 16, 1812, President James Monroe charged Brigadier General (and future president) William Henry Harrison with the task of recapturing Detroit and securing the United States' control of the Great Lakes. Despite Detroit constituting the end goal, General Harrison explicitly forbade General James Winchester from advancing beyond the Maumee River Rapids in Northern Ohio. General Harrison envisioned the "Liberation of Michigan" as an incremental, calculated, and tactical recapturing of sovereign American territory from the British and Canadian occupiers. Then General Winchester received a hot tip: the British and their Native American allies from the Shawnee, Potawatomi, Ottawa, Chippewa, Delaware, Miami, Winnebago, Creek, Sauk, and Fox tribes were camping on the outskirts of a budding community called Frenchtown, just north of the River Raisin. Only a few days' march from the Maumee River. General Winchester couldn't resist; one order later and the Americans were marching north. The initial Battle of River Raisin on January 18th, 1813, consisted of little more than a skirmish. The British and Native American force of roughly 200 soldiers stood little chance to approximately 800 eager Americans, who charged across the frozen River Raisin just north of Sterling Island. Following a sporadic fight lasting just a few hours, the British and Native American force retreated north towards Detroit. Frenchtown - for the time being - was American once more. The following days produced several deadly miscalculations. General Winchester had neglected to pack in requisite ammunition and other necessary supplies from the Americans' main encampment at the Maumee River. No orders were given to strengthen the rudimentary barrier walls surrounding Frenchtown, which the U.S. infantry were largely encamped outside of. Last, and most dangerous of all, General Winchester assumed that it would be "some days" before the British "would be ready to do anything." In other words, the Americans had plenty of time for reinforcements to arrive, walls to be built, and positions on the northern bank of the River Raisin to be solidified. Spoiler alert: the Americans didn't have time for any of that. On January 19th, British Colonel Henry Procter mobilized a joint British, Canadian, and Native American force of roughly 1,400 soldiers to move against the Americans. Before dawn on January 22nd, Colonel Procter's men crept towards the American encampments and opened fire while the majority of the American infantry still remained in bed. General Winchester's soldiers could only withstand the onslaught for 20 minutes, which broke abruptly when British artillery devastated what remained of the American lines. The morning only got worse for the Americans as the lines broke in a chaotic sprint south towards the frozen River Raisin. The American retreat prompted an attack by the Native American warriors, which descended upon the U.S. Regulars and inflicted numerous casualties during hand-to-hand combat. While General Winchester shortly surrendered to the overwhelming force, a large segment of surviving Kentuckian volunteers retreated west towards Frenchtown and held out for several hours before surrendering. When the muskets finally fell silent, 24 British and 359 Americans lay dead. A further 575 Americans lay wounded, most of which writhing under the guard of a British musket or Native American tomahawk. One hundred of those wounded American soldiers would meet their demise at the hands of their Native American captors the following day during the "River Raisin Massacre," but for now they were lucky to be alive. The cries slowly faded. The odor of gun powder gradually relented in the freezing winter air. The bloodiest morning in Michigan's history had finally ended. STATE OF THE MODERN BATTLEFIELD While we were researching this article, two profound sentiments struck us: 1. The Battle of River Raisin overwhelmingly constituted one of the most historic days, if not the single most historic day, in Michigan's history; and 2. Hardly anyone knows about it. Don't worry, we're not here to point fingers. There are several rationales for why this battle and historical park lacks the fame of other famous National Battlefield or Military Parks like Yorktown, Gettysburg, or Horseshoe Bend. You could blame it on the lack of educational attention that's afforded to the War of 1812, especially when compared to the unfathomable hours of coursework dedicated to the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War II. Perhaps Michigan's allocation of historical relevancy is way too concentrated on the development of the automotive industry. Maybe the national narrative of significant North American military conflicts occurring on the east coast or out west doesn't lend well to highlighting a major historical engagement in Southeast Michigan - against Canada, of all potential foes. Or - most damning of all - maybe most people simply don't care about recognizing the significance of the Battle of River Raisin. That would be a hard pill to swallow, and unfortunately there's some evidence for it. Which is exactly why we wanted to write this article. Starting on a brighter note, the fact that the powers that be elevated River Raisin National Battlefield Park from a Michigan Historic Site to a National Park unit in 2010 was a very, very good development in the battlefield's history. With the legal protection afforded by the National Park Service, River Raisin NBP will forever benefit from the vast wealth of the federal government's conservation resources. In other words, the visitor experience to the battlefield will always have an opportunity for improvement to a world-class standard. The very recent improvements to the park's pristine Visitor Center evidence the power of conservation at work for public benefit. That's a great start. Truly. But friends, we believe that much more could be done to honor the blood spilled on the banks of the Raisin - especially given the vast resources at our disposal. My trail pup Lucy and I recently hiked the one mile historical trail at River Raisin NBP. The trail starts from the picnic area off of Elm Avenue, marking that location of the American encampment that our "sleeping solider" would have slept at. A paved historical trail - dotted with historical markers providing fascinating information regarding the battle - comprise of the first 0.2 miles of the trail. Take your time reading each and every historical marker to fully appreciate the grounds that you are hiking on. The vast majority of the trail circumnavigates the field where American and British-Canadian lines formed and engaged one another. For any non-Monroe visitors, the size of the battlefield may surprise you. It's very, very small, but that is actually exceptionally common for most historic battlefields (for example, the famous Battle of Lexington that ignited the Revolutionary War occurred within Lexington's minuscule central town park). The trail starts behind the rudimentary barricades that designate the American line of defenses before venturing 0.1 of a mile north to the British-Canadian and Native American line. Note the benches that accompany the trail - the backrest of each contains additional historical information regarding the battle. Part of both the beauty and terror of River Raisin NBP is that literally every natural feature surrounding the trail was used by predominantly the British alliance to decimate the Americans. The little trash-filled ditch running just north of the British line? That's actually Mason Run, and the British and Native Americans used its steep banks to conceal themselves as their forces finalized preparation for their rout. The 0.2 miles of rolling woods on the eastern side of the field? The Native Americans and Canadian frontiersmen militia utilized their backwoods hunting and stalking experience within the trees to get within yards of American tents unnoticed. A topography of horror. Lucy and I were the only visitors on the trail that Saturday afternoon. In fact, we were the only ones in the park, other than a couple utilizing the main battlefield as an ample training space for their bird dog. I couldn't believe that we had such a historical destination all to ourselves, but the apparent lack of care given the extensive litter surrounding the trail gave me cause for serious concern. Hence, this article. Friends and family, we as representatives of Detroit's outdoor community have to be the first to recognize the significance of our region's outdoors. Frankly, River Raisin NBP should be the easiest outdoor recreation space in our entire region to maintain in an immaculate, inviting, and respectful condition. It's small. It's powerfully historic. It's the beneficiary of federal funding. How can such a destination be so under-recognized and under-appreciated by its surrounding community? And if River Raisin NBP of all places has suffered from such neglect, what about our other, less objectively significant yet beautiful outdoor destinations? Apologies for pontificating, but we at Expedition Detroit care deeply for the exploration, celebration, and protection of our outdoor recreation opportunities. If we don't recognize the value of our wild, historic, and fragile environment, then no one else will. We are immensely grateful for institutions like the National Park Service and Department of Natural Resources for their immensity of conservation work, but we as an outdoor community can and should do more to support their efforts. Here are a few quick ways to do so, relating specifically to River Raisin NBP: Read Up on the Battle. We've provided a brief overview here, but we strongly encourage you to dig a little deeper and conduct your own research. Especially if you are a Monroe resident, learning more about the overwhelming historical significance of your backyard could serve as an inspiring, humbling, and pride-inducing experience. Visit the Park. This is the fun part, especially since visiting the actual battle location is free. Go for a hike or run along the historical Battlefield Trail. Take your time reading the historical markers, imagining all along what an average American, British, Canadian, or Native American soldier must have experienced on that fateful day over a century ago. Be sure to visit the state-of-art Visitor Center as well. Pack In a Trash Bag. As you're hiking on the trail, don't be afraid to leave the trail better than you found it by picking up some trash along the way. This action goes beyond the "Leave No Trace" principles that all outdoor enthusiasts should aspire to; in fact, you will be "paying it forward" by actively creating a more welcoming, pristine, and respected environment for others to enjoy. Trust us, karma points add up. Share Your Experience. This final action item provides both the most critical and easy item to complete. If the apparent neglect of River Raisin NBP has resulted simply from lack of awareness of the park's significance or existence, then don't hesitate to speak openly about your time spent within the battlefield's hallowed confines. Historical facts, trail conditions, recommended activities, and ideas for future improvement are all fair game for discussion. On this 210th anniversary of the Battle of River Raisin, we would like to end this article by honoring the soldiers who fought and died in that pivotal battle. We would like to thank the National Park Service, the River Raisin National Battlefield Park Foundation, Friends of the River Raisin Battlefield, City of Monroe, and the Wyandotte Nation for the countless hours of service that such organizations and institutions have dedicated to the preservation of the battlefield. Last, we want to thank you for taking the time to read about this momentous battle, visit the park, and participate in the expansion and sustainability of Detroit's outdoor recreation community. We'll see you on the trail.

JULY IS OFF WITH A BANG! With our area's recreational opportunities exploding with incredible events this month, we have zeroed in on these "Top Ten Outdoor Events near Detroit" for navigating your perfect July in our region's outdoors. Picture your perfect summer morning or evening in the Detroit region's idyllic outdoors. The sun is eagerly rising or lazily setting over your lakeside vista. The towering trees are reflecting a golden glow off of their uniform foliage. A fawn haphazardly chases after its mother. The consistent hum of the bullfrogs and song birds ease you into the day. CRACK! Without warning, an explosion rips through the tranquil scene. While you remain shell-shocked for a moment, idling for a few heartbeats in fight or flight mode, an ensuing applause assures you that said explosion was not only intentional, but anticipated by a larger crowd. "That's right," you say to yourself as a calmer mind prevails. "It's July." Indeed, friends - the most explosive month of the year has arrived, both for pyrotechnics and outdoor events near Detroit! Regardless of whether you'll experience the quick startle of a firework exploding or a race gun firing, the woods, trails, and parks throughout the Detroit region will come ALIVE over the next several weeks. Bike relays, paddle races, trail events... you name the activity, Detroit's got a recreational event fine-tuned for it. Without further delay, here are the Top 10 Outdoor Events near Detroit going down this month. We can't wait to see you out there! 1. Run on Island Time at the Kona Race July 8th | Maybury State Park | 8:00 a.m. Say Aloha to summer running! Kicking off July's outdoor events calendar this weekend at Maybury State Park, Kona Running will host its namesake annual "Kona Hawaiian Run"with 5K, 10K, and 15K events. Perfect for road runners looking to explore one of the Detroit region's most accessible parks, the race course will follow Maybury's main paved trail. Don't forget to stick around for a post-race celebratory luau featuring shaved ice, tropical snacks, and - of course - a post-trail brew! 2. Teach the Family to Fish Along the Detroit River July 8th | Riverdance Park, LaSalle, ON | 8:00 a.m. “If you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” While we've all heard this famous Lao Tzu quote, the exceptional team at the Essex Region Conservation Authority invites you not only to feed your families for a lifetime, but instill a lifelong appreciation for nature along the Detroit River! Head over to Riverdance Park in LaSalle, Ontario with your loved ones for the "Detroit River Family Fishing Day." This event occurs during the province-wide "Ontario Family Fishing Event" week when residents can fish in Ontario waters without a mandatory license. Fishing equipment will be available for public use for free and there will be displays, giveaways and more! 3. Paddle the Beautiful Isle in the Belle Isle Classic July 8th | Belle Isle Park | 8:00 a.m. While Canadian families start peacefully casting lines into the Detroit River, the paddling action will start heating up just a few miles north around Belle Isle Park. Hosted by Paddleguru LLC, the world-class Belle Isle Classic event invites paddlers of all vessels to circumnavigate Belle Isle – both competitively and none-competitively - in any human-propelled water craft. This includes kayaks, canoes, SUPs, surf skis, prones... if you can paddle it, you can race it. This event will occur rain or shine, so participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the conditions and wear Coast Guard-approved PFDs (life vests). The total paddling reaches an estimated 6.7 miles, so aspiring paddlers should train to cover such lengths within a 2 hour cutoff time. There's also a 200 participant maximum for this event, so REGISTER TODAY if you are interested in participating! 4. Ride with Your Crew at the Tree Farm Relay July 22nd | Lakeshore Park, Novi, MI | 8:45 a.m. Cyclists of all interests, rejoice: July should be officially renamed "International Biking Month" due to the plethora of pedal-related events occurring on both sides of the border in the Detroit region. On our list, the first biking event of July involves the MCMBA-hosted "Tree Farm Relay" at Novi Lakeshore Park (formerly known as "Tree Farm"). This year marks the 18th annual riding of the Tree Farm Relay, featuring the outdoor event's unique 4-person team relay race. The course features lots of hills and passing zones, while the festival itself includes its customary tiki party and hundreds - if not thousands - of your new best friends and riding buddies! 5. Dabble with a Gravel Cycle at the De Ronde van Grampian Race July 22nd | Upland Hills Farm, Oxford, MI | 9:00 a.m. As the legions of mountain bikers start ripping through dirt in Novi, gravel bikers at the other side of Oakland County will start churning up some trails of their own! Setting off from Upland Hills Farm in Oxford, this year's De Ronde van Grampian gravel race will feature two distances: 25-mile and 50-mile courses consisting of 100% gravel. These routes travel through the natural rolling terrain in the area with amazing scenic views and special single and double tracks (keep an eye out for a Dutch Windmill out on the 50-mile course). Food will be available for purchase from Uncle Peter's Pasties Shelby. 6. Conquer the Michigander Bicycle Tour July 22nd - 28th | Ann Arbor, MI Did we already mention that July will be a month for biking across the Detroit region...? And of all of the outdoor events near Detroit that we have detailed so far, this particular event - the Michigander Bicycle Tour - takes home the gold as the most panoramic, physically-demanding, and profoundly rewarding experience on this list. Setting off from Ann Arbor, the Michigan truly constitutes a whirlwind highlight reel of the best of the best of the Detroit region's outdoors. Navigating the seamless fluidity of our region's most expansive bike trail - the Great Lake-Lake Trails Route #1 - the Michigander leads participants through such beloved outdoor destinations like the Nichols Arboretum, Dexter-Huron Metropark, Waterloo Recreation Area, Mike Lakelands Trail State Park, Island Lake Recreation Area, Proud Lake Recreation Area, Stony Creek Metropark, the Clinton River Trail, Rouge Park, and Lower Huron Metropark. The Michigander comprises of an expansive, multi-day event, so prospective participants are strongly encouraged to train and prepare for a true cycling expedition. Each day's ride reaches upwards of 40 miles per day, so participants should regularly ride at least 120 miles per week before embarking on a journey of this scale. That being said... if there's any singular event that will fundamentally enhance your appreciation for Detroit's outdoors, this is the event. Add it to the bucket list - it's now certainly on ours! 7. Get Jurassic at the Pterodactyl Triathlon July 26th | Island Lake State Recreation Area | 6:00 p.m. Completing an outdoor race of any kind typically represents one of the crowning achievements of a month well spent. With a triathlon - especially at a destination as idyllic and well-suited for swimming, biking, and running as Island Lake State Recreation Area - you get a 3-for-1 special that's a bucket list-worthy accomplishment. Anyone who's completed such a feat will back us up on this point. As the temperatures continue to rise well into July, treat yourself to an unforgettable experience by diving into the cool waters of Kent Lake during the RF Event's Pterodactyl Triathlon race! The "Pterodactyl" represents the third installment of RF Event's summer-long "T-Rex Triathlon Series" - everyone's favorite mid-week triathlon race. We'll plan on seeing you at the beachhead! 8. Race for Summer's Favorite Beer at the Oberun 5K July 28th | Ypsilanti, MI | 6:30 p.m. Each of us have a moment when summer finally arrives. Obviously we mean on a metaphysical level, not a simple turn of the calendar. Maybe it's the taste of the first hot dog at Comerica Park, when the boat finally launches, or the crackle of a roaring campfire. For me, it's that first swig of a bottle of Bell's Oberon Ale - Michigan's official summer beer. And there's truly no better way to celebrate mid-summer than planning a 5K race themed solely around said beer. Bell's Brewery invites its faithful yet again this year to participate in the summer racing rite known as the "Oberun 5K." The 5K race concludes at a beer garden serving up none other than ice-cold Oberon beer. Participants will also earn a coveted bottle opener finisher's medal and a finisher's pint glass. Better yet, the race's after party taking place at Wiard's Orchard will feature bonfires, sand volleyball, corn hole, food trucks, and more beer. Proceeds from this event benefit the Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative in support of the Border to Border (B2B) Trail. 9. Ride the Rocks & Roads Race Series July 29th-30th | Malden Park, ON | 9:00 a.m. Wait...did you really think that July would close out without another biking event? How about a double-header..? That's right - to close out this month's extravaganza of cycling events, the teams at LETR Windsor and Cycle Culture have combined forces to host the "Rocks & Roads Race Series" at Malden Park! This cycling series will kick off with a 10K "time trial" race on July 29th, covering a course consisting of grass, gravel and dirt in a mix of single and double track. The course follows Malden Park's green novice trail, blue intermediate uphill, and red advanced downhill and flow trail. The main event - the "Rocks and Roads Race Series Relay Race" - features teams of 1 person, 2 people, or teams of 3 or 4 people to complete as many laps as possible on the 10-kilometer course within the 6-hour time limit. But there's a twist: each rider will have to dismount and "pass the baton" to their teammate to continue the race. 10. COME EXPLORE WITH US! Throughout July (and beyond!) | 11 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas Looking to FINALLY capitalize on July's beautiful weather and explore your local Michigan State Parks?? Perfect - we are ECSTATIC to invite YOU to join us on our brand new Guided Trips platform! The Expedition Detroit team is proud to represent the Michigan DNR's largest commercial provider of guided hikes, backpacking expeditions, and trail running coach across ELEVEN of the Detroit region's most pristine state parks and recreation areas. Each of our guides has the field experience, wilderness first aid training, park knowledge, and outdoor passion that you can - and should - expect from any world-class trail experience. We will be gradually adding new guided summer trips over the coming weeks, as well as special trips like night hikes, photography-specific treks, and eventually guided snowshoe, mountain biking, and kayaking trips. So, stay tuned friends. We can't wait to host you on one of our trips soon! P.S. Subscribers to our content get discounts on our Guided Services AND online store items..... 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.

In light of the toxic fumes engulfing the Detroit area right now, here's a short guide on how to effectively and safely enjoy a campfire - without starting a wildfire that engulfs our entire corner of the Great Lakes region. In case you've been living under a rock this past week, you've probably realized that things have become a little smokey around Detroit. Scratch that, our environment has become dangerously smokey. Yesterday, Detroit's air quality at one point ranked second-worst in the world , topped out only by the horrid atmospheric conditions in New Delhi, India. The cumulative apocalyptic effect of two wildfires in northern Michigan, plus the 150 wildfires that are currently burning in Quebec, have prompted public health officials to encourage outdoor use of N95 masks again. Yeah. For the next few days, we're back to those kinds of messages again. Here's the uncomfortable truth about all of this: as experts continue to expect global temperatures to rise , the likelihood of widespread wildfires is predicted to rise in tandem. Dryer than normal conditions means that environment turns into natural tinder, ready to ignite from even the most minuscule of sources - cigarette butts, sparks from dangling trailer chains, overheated landscaping equipment, and certainly careless campfire starters. Beyond the hazy skies and Star Wars -esque orange sunsets, this wildfire smoke causes a litany of health issues . Shortness of breath, an elevated pulse, chest pain, inflammation in the eyes, nose, and throat, and even long-term health issues like cancer or lung disease. At this point, some astute readers may note that wildfires are, and always have been, a natural occurrence that provides undisputed value to most ecosystems. Fair point, but such natural fires are carefully monitored by forestry professionals in our modern, science-driven conservation operations. The goal for EVERY human-made fire, ESPECIALLY when inadvertently started, is to suppress the fire as quickly as possible - ideally before it even starts. The alternative looks something like this:

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

Welcome back to our weekly #TrailTuesday Series! This edition explores the highland loops of the West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve, a forested oasis amidst the abundant lakes of West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. "Hey Dan, have you ever explored the West Bloomfield Nature Preserve?" This question from my uncle at first seemed to spring out of left field, but I've come to accept that wearing any Expedition Detroit merch now constitutes a public invitation for any and all questions related to Detroit's outdoors. "No, can't say that I have," I replied over the hum of the ascending airplane that we were sitting within. "Well, you should. It's pretty cool." Our brief discussion ended there - most likely due to the number of relatives that we were speaking over - but the suggestion stuck with me. Not only is my uncle an accomplished outdoorsman in his own right, but at this point in Expedition Detroit's storied four month operating history, any suggestions for new outdoor destinations to explore are worth their weight in gold. Especially the destinations that I have never heard of. Fast forward 48 hours and my return flight to Detroit has already touched down. With an open Sunday afternoon and an activity-starved golden retriever on my hands, I fired up AllTrails to see which "Top 50" #TrailTuesday trails were in my general vicinity - particularly one with just enough mileage and terrain variation to fill up the remaining hours of daylight. Lo and behold, the closest, "yet-to-be-explored" trail just so happened to be located within a string of lakes in western West Bloomfield Township. A satellite image forming a green patch of forested oasis amidst the foreboding shades of blue of Orchard Lake, Upper Straits Lake, Morris Lake, and Mirror Lake. A local gem hiding in plain sight just south of Pontiac Trail. "Alright Lucy," I said to my pup as I powered down my laptop. "We've got ourselves a new trail to hike!" MEET WEST BLOOMFIELD WOODS NATURE PRESERVE While driving along Pontiac Trail, you may have never noticed the vast acreage of forest standing just south of Mirror Lake. I sure hadn't, even despite countless traverses while in route to visit family living just east on Pine Lake. The dramatic approach of massive Orchard Lake may be to blame, but I can't help but feel slightly robbed of never noticing the existence of the stunningly beautiful West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve until literally a few days ago. Originally owned by Willis Ward and his family during the late 19th century, the Wards were the first private owners of the Preserve to dedicate the land as a "private community park." Over the next century, successive owners continued to act as stewards over the large tract of land that would eventually become the Preserve, including the planting of flowers, protection of evergreen trees, and building of bridle paths for future generations to enjoy. Those original bridle paths now constitute the Preserve's hiking trail. In the mid-1980s, the Preserve nearly lost its century-long conservation treatment when local developers designated its 162 acres as "prime for development." Fortunately and due largely to West Bloomfield community activism, the West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission purchased the Preserve in 1988, thereby ensuring its lasting security from suburban development. Two years later, the National Institute of Urban Wildlife designated the Preserve as an "Urban Wildlife Sanctuary" - the first nature preserve in Michigan to receive such a distinction. Today, the Preserve is home to more than 100 bird species, white-tail deer, red fox, coyote, weasel, mink, and salamanders. The Preserve is also renown for its great stands of 200-year-old trees and vibrant wildflowers. Most importantly, the Preserve serves as the core of West Bloomfield's centuries-long ambition to promote and protect community outdoor recreation opportunities. Now - let's get to the trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 2.2 miles Elevation Gain: 144 feet Trail Rating: Easy Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Free parking lot located at trailhead parking just east of Arrowhead Road. The West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve Trail wins the prize so far as the best beginner hiker-friendly trail that we've explored to date. Why? One key reason: trail navigation clarity. If you're a hiker, runner, cross-country skier, or snowshoer that's prone to wandering off-trail (don't worry, that's not always a bad thing), then the West Bloomfield Woods Nature Preserve is the park for you. It's sole hiking trail is not only clearly marked from start to finish, but the width of the trail is unmistakable in comparison to the smaller game trails that criss-cross the trail. In other words - and I mean this affectionately - it's more or less idiot proof. Which we can all benefit from here and there. The trailhead is located at the main parking, just east of Arrowhead Rd. and across the West Bloomfield Trail. If you have a few minutes at the trailhead, I encourage you to take some time to read the informational display that marks the formal trailhead. The information regarding the history of West Bloomfield's rails-to-trails initiative, formation of public parks, and biodiversity is surprisingly fascinating. If you'd prefer not to nerd out on the history and ecology of regional public recreation, then keep on keeping on towards the natural footpath waiting just right of the display. The trail starts with a steady 0.2 mile descent towards the Preserve's main wetlands, including a board walk for wildlife viewing. Immediately after the board walk, the trail ascends over 40 feet towards an area that we've designated "The Highlands" - the upper forested rim of the Preserve that circles a surprising deep valley containing the Franklin Branch of the Rouge River. The next 1.2 miles of your hike will traverse rolling terrain of The Highlands, which during the winter months provide stunning views of the valley and wetlands below. Don't miss the chance to take in the dramatic vista from the "Eagle's Nest" outlook at the 1 mile marker. There are only two potentially challenging points of the hike, especially when the trail consists of slick or icy conditions. The first hits at the 1.1 mile mark and comprises of a relatively quick decline at 9% decline over 0.1 of a mile towards the bridge over the Franklin Branch. The second strikes immediately after the bridge: a 9% incline over 0.2 miles to reach the trail's "summit" at 991 feet of elevation. Don't worry though, newer hikers. These two back-to-back segments of the trail are actually fan favorites that provide the necessary adventure element for establishing any trail as a Detroit region favorite. WEEKEND BONUS TIPS If you have a few extra hours on your hands - or even a full day for exploration around West Bloomfield - then buckle up, you've got some trails to check out. For road runners and cyclists, your next adventure begins right where the Preserve's hiking trail ends: the 6.8 mile linear West Bloomfield Trail (the "WBT"). The former Grand Trunk railroad corridor now connects the communities of West Bloomfield, Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor, and Sylvan Lake along the continuous trail, complete with scenic overlooks, picnic areas, portable restrooms, and direct access to stunning parks like the Preserve. Looking to extend your ride or run? Again, you're at the right spot my adventurous friend. Heading northeast, the WBT connects directly to the 16-mile Clinton River Trail, which runs parallel to several communities along the Clinton River and terminates within beautiful Bloomer Park in Rochester Hills. To the south, the WBT ends at the eastern terminus of the Michigan Air Line Trail, which stretches from Haggerty Road in Commerce Charter Township nearly 6 miles to downtown Wixom. If you would prefer to keep hiking other local trails in West Bloomfield, the shorter and very picturesque hiking loops through Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary are a quick 1.3 mile drive east on Pontiac Trail (note: dogs are not permitted on these trails). Other regional hiking options include Bloomer Park-West Bloomfield, Wise Woods, Victory Park, and Dodge Park #5. The #TrailTuesday Series idea started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast network. One of our main goals for this platform is to produce content that reflects the outdoor interests and desires of our community, so please continue to provide us with your suggestions via our contact form or here in the comments!

Welcome back to our weekly #TrailTuesday Series! This edition digs into the sole "Top 50" trail within our namesake city - the Dequindre Cut Greenway. Join us as we explore this quintessential Detroit trail! What makes a world-class outdoor destination? Striking natural landscapes preserved for exploration? A culture that prioritizes equitable access to outdoor experiences? An economy that fosters opportunities for innovative recreational ventures? How about showcasing public art? A core focus on community engagement? A safe, accessible, and interconnected trail network in the heart of an urban metropolis? While there's no consensus on the answer to these questions, the Dequindre Cut Greenway - one of Detroit's "Essential Trails" - checks the box of each of these disparate elements. The stunningly bright and glistening waves of the Detroit River mark the southern trailhead. The trail literally resulted from an industrious coalition of community advocates. The pathway embodies the values of its supportive community through its cutting-edge artwork, entrepreneurial pop-ups, and moving feast of festivals and events. Here's the point: the Dequindre Cut represents Detroit's beautifully diverse outdoor community at its very best. An archetypal prototype and testament for the effectiveness of community empowerment through outdoor recreation and interconnection. A manifestation of the lasting impact of intentional regeneration of industrial byproducts. And, most importantly, a damn good trail. MEET THE DEQUINDRE CUT Possibly the most famous "Rail Trail" in Michigan, the Dequindre Cut Greenway trail was part of the Grand Trunk Railroad line in a former life, running parallel to St. Aubin Street. Since 2009, however, a coalition formed by the U.S. Government, City of Detroit, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, and the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation has provided new life to this formerly abandoned and blighted outdoor space. In its current glory, the Dequindre Cut is a 2 mile trail that serves as a lightening rod for invigorating community recreation, social events, and urban art inspiration. In the Detroit of 2023, a walk, run, or bike down the Dequindre Cut provides a quintessential experience - a microcosm showcase of the past, present, and future of one of America's greatest cities. Now - let's get to the trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 2.0 miles Elevation Gain: 49 feet Trail Rating: Easy Route Orientation: Point-to-Point Parking Specifics: Paid parking available along Atwater Street; other free and paid parking options available near William G. Milliken State Park If you are a runner or biker that infamously tends to wander off trail, then do we have the perfect trail for you! When it comes to the Dequindre Cut, you need only to keep moving forward in your direction of choice. No turns. No second guesses. Just maintained momentum over 2 miles of gradual incline or decline, depending on whether you choose to start from the Atwater Street (shown above) or Mack Avenue trailheads. From the Atwater Street trailhead, you will gradually ascend an imposing 49 feet as you walk, run, or bike along the paved trail. Please be sure to stay in your lane of choice as you explore the trail - the cycle traffic is two-way, while the trail also has a third lane for largely pedestrian travel. Also remember to exercise caution as you cross Franklin and Woodbridge Streets. Your sub-street level sanctuary of recreational solitude starts under E Jefferson. The Dequindre Cut, like most converted rail-trails, is a relatively flat, variable-controlled paved trail, so we will not be diving into any natural features of the trail like our typical #TrailTuesday articles. Instead, we will detail what makes the Dequindre Cut a highly-sought after destination for urban exploration: the public art, repurposed architecture, and trailside amenities that only accompany world-class urban recreational trails. One could easily argue that the Dequindre Cut is essentially a two-mile outdoor art museum. Fortunately for all of us, our friends at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy maintain a "Dequindre Cut Art Walk" map that pinpoints and details the entirety of breath-taking artwork along the trail. The public art decorates the entirety of the trail, but the single-largest concentration of art is located with the Larned Street to E Lafayette Blvd. segments. The Dequindre Cut also features a highlight reel of destinations along its humble 2 miles. Starting with the DNR's Outdoor Recreation Center off of Atwater Street, the trail also provides recreationists with direct access to Fit Park, Campbell Terrace, the Dequindre Cut Freight Yard, and Eastern Market. Each of these destinations host community outreach gatherings, themed festivals, live music, and other crowd-drawing events throughout the year. WEEKEND BONUS TIPS Let's not overcomplicate anything: when a trail connects directly to the #1 riverwalk in the country, you explore said riverwalk trail. The Detroit Riverwalk is currently in a state of constant change - we are barely able to keep up with the near-daily updates regarding the expansion or further improvement of our beloved riverwalk. As of March of 2023, the official Riverwalk Trail stretches roughly 5.3 miles from Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park to Gabriel Richard Park. Ongoing projects will further expand the Riverwalk Trail both east and west along the Detroit River, so be sure to circle back to Expedition Detroit regularly as we continue to expand our coverage of this essential trail route at the heart of our region. The current iteration of the Riverwalk Trail starts at western edge of Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park, right where W. Jefferson Avenue and Rosa Parks Boulevard meet. While the trail briefly connects to W. Jefferson Avenue around the Riverfront Towers, the trek rejoins the river just south of the former Joe Louis Arena site (RIP). Continue east as you venture past the skyscrapers of downtown, including memorable highlights like Huntington Place, the Detroit Princess Riverboat, Hart Plaza, the International Memorial to the Underground Railroad, and the Renaissance Center. With the towers of downtown behind you, the Riverwalk Trail leads directly into William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor, featuring the aforementioned direct link to the Dequindre Cut Greenway. To complete the trail, continue pressing east - past the Aretha Franklin Amphitheater, through Harbortown Marina and Mt. Elliott Park, and finally reaching the finish line at Gabriel Richard Park. The #TrailTuesday Series idea started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast network. One of our main goals for this platform is to produce content that reflects the outdoor interests and desires of our community, so please continue to provide us with your suggestions via our contact form or here in the comments!

Timeless. Powerful. Hand crafted in Detroit. It is our privilege to feature Motor City Axe as our first #ExpeditionPartner! We pity anyone who has never experienced the primal satisfaction of splitting a log in one clean strike. Or glanced back at their freshly-cut trail that will forever lead to your favorite campground, stand, or wilderness destination. Or even, God forbid, never sensed their own power simply by holding an axe. The first trails and settlements across the Detroit region were tamed through harnessing the power of these tools. The tomahawks of the First Nations of the Great Lakes - the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Huron, Iroquois, and Odawa - cut the initial trails that now form our roads and crafted the canoes that first explored our waterways. The hatchets and axes of 18th century Europeans built our first cities. The woodsmen of the 19th century formed the bedrock of Michigan and Ontario's behemoth lumber industry. And these same tools were largely wielded by our returned WWII heroes to establish Greater Detroit's first state parks. Fast-forward to our own century, many an outdoor enthusiast often feels lost in digital or corporate dementia. Truth be told, Expedition Detroit partially launched from an innate desire to reclaim a sense of adventure and resilience within our immediate outdoors. A local escape from the confines of the Covid-era's "work-from-home," and therefore almost always working, construct. We're far from being the only venture to answer this calling by aligning our business with our great outdoors. In fact, we're far from being the first in the Detroit region to do so. Our first "Expedition Partner" - Motor City Axe - has been outfitting our outdoor community with the tools to reclaim an intrepid lifestyle since 2018. It's our privilege to partner with this awesome brand now. RE-INTRODUCING MOTOR CITY AXE Our story with Motor City Axe dates way back to roughly a month ago. In case you missed our April Newsletter (not so subtle hint to subscribe), our store is a featured partner with the Michigan Department of Natural Resource's "These Goods are Good for Michigan" campaign. The "These Goods" campaign features several fantastic vendors of goods and services that collectively support Michigan's state parks, trails, and waterways, but one good in particular jumped out at us when we first discovered the campaign. What can we say - handcrafted, sleek axes and hatchets are compelling products. Motor City Axe immediately caught our attention, and fortunately we were able to connect with them literally the morning that Expedition Detroit went live within the "These Goods" campaign. The story of Motor City Axe started far beyond this fruitful coincidence - and even before the company's initial launch. Four years before Motor City Axe first cut into Detroit's outdoor industry, its founder discovered his late grandfather's Kelly Axe and Tool hatchet in a garage. His experience with refurbishing that heirloom - plus the countless outdoor experiences begotten from the reinvigorated hatchet - forged the vision for Motor City Axe. A company was born out of a love for lasting craftsmanship, desire to work with their hands, and passion for the outdoors. MOTOR CITY MADE. WILDERNESS READY. Motor City Axe's online shop features a wide variety of new, custom, and vintage axes and hatchets. Each axe and hatchet is made in the U.S.A. and hand-painted in Detroit. The company also sells axe and outdoor-related accessories to complement their flagship products, such as knives, tools, sheaths, hats, and t-shirts. We'd like to close out this inaugural feature with some inspirational words from Motor City Axe themselves: The tools we sell have and will withstand the test of time. They tell a story. The city they are crafted in has, countless times, been ruled out, but both have risen from the ashes. What will your story tell? If that doesn't get you fired up to start chopping, then we don't know what will. Do you own or operate a local outfitter, small business, or organization involved in the outdoor industry? Would you like to partner with an innovative media company focused solely on outdoor recreational experiences and opportunities within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit? Awesome - we'd love to work with you! Contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com.

In a region that's undeniably spoiled by world-class mountain biking trails, here are the Detroit area's top 5 trail systems that climb higher and ride faster than the rest. Michigan’s official state motto translates to “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” Well, Southeast Michigan’s wilderness motto should be “If you seek a pleasant hiking trail, look about you - because there’s probably a mountain biker ripping down it.” Our suggested motto should honestly be codified since most of the Detroit region’s most scenic hiking trails were either originally designed or overwhelmingly adopted as mountain biking trails. A quick glance at our “Destinations” map and you’ll see that the data holds up. Our great outdoors are disproportionately blessed with world-class mountain biking trails - only rivaled in-state by the Upper Peninsula’s most scenic and rugged trails - thanks largely to the trail construction and preservation efforts spearheaded by organizations like the Motor City Mountain Bike Association, Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association, and Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association. Curating this list of Detroit’s best mountain biking trails was one tough hill to climb (a great problem to have). So, just in time for October’s colors to fully set in, here are the Detroit region’s five best MTB trails to send it down: 1. POTAWATOMI TRAIL Trail Length: 17 miles Climb: 876 ft. Trail Rating: Intermediate-Advanced Trail Sponsor: Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association We don’t like saving the best for last here at Expedition Detroit. Credit’s owed where credit’s due, so the Potawatomi Trail - “Poto” - is presented right where it should be: first in line on our list as Detroit’s most sought-after, kick-ass, bucket list-worthy mountain biking trail. Found in Pinckney State Recreation Area, Poto provides riders with a grand tour of the park. The trail is also shared with hikers and trail runners, although it is an unspoken agreement that mountain bikers are at the top of the food chain for trail courtesy. From the trailhead at Silver Lake (parking lot trailhead for all of Pinckney’s chart-topping trails), Poto’s deviates from the Silver Lakes Trail at 0.42 miles in and continues clockwise for 16.6 miles. The trail is a scenic roller coaster, trademarked with heart-thumping climbs and rewarding declines as you navigate around Pinckney’s series of lakes and the Portage River. Naturally, the trail’s most imposing challenge strikes right at the end - a nearly 100-foot climb with an 8% incline at mile 15.73. Survive the climb and you’ll be rewarded with a mile-long decline back towards the trailhead. Bonus Tip: Looking to turn your ride into a de facto expedition? Poto offers riders with the ability to turn an MTB afternoon into a bike-camping weekend adventure. Pinckney’s two rustic campgrounds, located at Blind Lake and Crooked Lake, are directly accessible from the trail. New to bike-camping? REI has some epic gear to get you started. 2. LAKESHORE PARK (TREE FARM) Trail Length: 8.9 miles Climb: 423 ft. Trail Rating: Intermediate Trail Sponsor: Motor City Mountain Bike Association Single-track lovers, rejoice! Novi’s Lakeshore Park - formerly known as “Tree Farm” - has roughly 9 miles of fast, technical, and flowy trails for every level of rider. Starting at the main trailhead just south of Walled Lake, Lakeshore Park’s network of interconnected loops and segments with relatively little elevation gain provide for a seamless ride across variable terrain. The majority of Lakeshore Park’s loops are rated as “Easy,” although the “Expert Loop” accessible at the 0.7 mile mark, “the Crater” segment at the 3.7 mile mark, and the “Flack Attack” segment at the 5.1 mile mark entail more challenging terrain that’s fit for lapping. Be sure to spend some extra time at the pump track to test your balance and technical skills. Bonus Tip: If you and your crew regularly ride Lakeshore Park, why not up the ante a bit with some harmless competition? Every summer the MCMBA hosts its famous tiki party + bike race, the “Tree Farm Relay,” for some 4-person team relay action over its trail network. Extra points are awarded for best costumes too, so riders have every reason to go all-out for this highlight event of the summer! 3. PONTIAC LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA TRAIL SYSTEM Trail Length: 9 miles Climb: 713 ft. Trail Rating: Intermediate-Advanced Trail Sponsor: Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association One Loop to Rule Them All - that should be the official slogan of Pontiac Lake’s legendary MTB trail, although the Tolkien Estate’s legal team may beg to differ. Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area contains 9 miles of fast, elevation-oscillating, single track trail, with the main challenge of a 22% incline grade striking just 1.5 miles into the adventure. Each gueling climb is typically rewarded with a refreshing decline, although Pontiac Lake is also infamous for the tactical maneuvering demanded by some of its downhills (especially right after the 2 mile mark). The majority of the ride leads bikers over a series of rolling climbs and declines through the park’s northern string of lakes, with the final segment consisting of one long decline back to the trailhead. Just as a fair warning, the immense popularity of this trail comes at a price. Pontiac Lake is not the trail for any riders seeking two-wheeled solitude in nature - its proximity to Downtown Detroit and the northern suburbs makes Pontiac Lake’s trail one of the most frequented in the Detroit region. Expect to share the trail with hikers, trail runners, and even equestrians in some segments. Always be courteous to others on the trail, and note that the trail right-of-way food chain goes like this: hikers < bikers < equestrians. Bonus Tip: If you look at a map of Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, its main campground is located directly in the center of its famous mountain biking trail. This pristine example of exemplary park planning has made Pontiac Lake’s campground a favorite for mountain bikers looking to make a weekend out of their rides (Highland Recreation Area is also just down M-59, so it’s not too far of a stretch to imagine tackling both trail systems in a weekend). Party responsibly and aim to find the elusive balance between evening campfire drinks and morning tight turns. 4. HIGHLAND STATE RECREATION AREA A-B-C-D LOOPS Trail Length: 14.7 miles Climb: 1,584 ft. Trail Rating: Advanced Trail Sponsor: Motor City Mountain Bike Association Built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers, Southeast Michigan’s most difficult MTB trail system may very well be its best kept secret. Highland’s alphabet loops cover almost 15 miles of technical and tight single-track trails, filled with sharp descents, steep climbs, rock gardens, and lots of tight, off camber turns. The loops slightly vary in difficulty, with the A (3.5 miles) and C (2.2 miles) Loops being slightly easier than the challenging B Loop (5.4 miles) and dreaded D Loop (3.6 miles). Most riders take on just the A and B Loops for a heart-pumping 9.7 miles through the core of the course, although plenty of adrenaline junkies and admirable psychopaths will knock out the full system in 2 or 3 hours. The D Loop’s climb of 130 feet over roughly half a mile - including a 20% incline grade at certain points - is the crown jewel achievement of this punishing yet rewarding course. Please note that even relatively experienced bikers should not take conquering all four alphabet loops lightly. Beginner and freshly-minted riders are advised to ride with more experienced riders and tackle just a loop or two during your first visit to Highland. Bring plenty of water, take your time navigating these black diamond-rated trails, and wholly embrace the ass-kicking that Highland’s loops indiscriminately unleash on us all. Bonus Tip: The Highland trail system is the northernmost segment of a larger 100-mile trail system that connects several parks and independent mountain biking trails. While you can conquer this daunting trail system any time during the year, we recommend tackling this feat alongside hundreds of your new best friends amidst the festivities of the annual Milford Bike Fest and Trail Challenge. Beyond Highland’s alphabet loops, your ride will take you on a grand tour of the Milford Trail, Hickory Glen Park, Proud Lake Recreation Area, Kensington Metropark, and Island Lake Recreation Area. Yes, don’t worry - beer tents in Downtown Milford will be eagerly waiting for your return from this MTB odyssey. 5. BRIGHTON STATE RECREATION AREA TRAIL SYSTEM Trail Length: 16.9 miles Climb: 916 ft. Trail Rating: Intermediate-Advanced Trail Sponsor: Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association Last but certainly not least, Brighton State Recreation Area provides riders with a “choose your own adventure” approach to its two-loop trail system. More advanced riders typically tackle the black diamond-rated “Torn Shirt Trail” first, a 7.9 mile loop that contains steeper climbs and more technical features (NOTE: the Torn Shirt Trail has recently been extended to include 3 additional miles, so published trail guides may be outdated). The foremost challenge of the Torn Shirt Trail strikes 1.82 miles into the loop with a 10% incline grade climb to an elevation of 954 ft., the highest point on the entire trail system. The more moderate Murray Lake Loops cover a total of 9 miles of riding if you take on the Purple, Orange, and Green Loops. Enjoy your flowy, single-track grand tour of the northeast segments of the park, complete of course with technical challenges throughout to keep the ride engaging for bikers of any skill level. Bonus Tip: Why not combine your ride with a paddle? The MTB trailhead parking lot also services access to Bishop Lake, one of the crown jewels of Brighton Recreation Area. Trust us, there are far worse places in the world for that mandatory post-ride beer (alcohol prohibited at Bishop Lake Day Use Area April 1st - September 30th). We cannot overstate that this list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are several trail systems that we ride regularly and love dearly - such as Maybury State Park, Island Lake State Recreation Area, Hines Park, and the Milford Trail - that are spectacular in despite of being omitted from this article. However, if you are a top-tier mountain biker that regularly rides in the U.P. or out west, this list is your guide to the Detroit region’s crème de la crème of MTB trails. Send it responsibly. We’ll see you out there. Photos courtesy of Trailforks Mapping Inc. and Adventure Projects, Inc.

In honor of Black History Month, we are exploring the complexity, bravery, and utmost historical significance of the Underground Railroad - especially within the scope of the Detroit region's unique role within its operation. Part II follows the final phase of the great journey - and the railroad's lasting legacy on our outdoors. "Wake up. It's time." You wipe the sleep away from your eyes just in time to see a vaguely familiar face looking back at you through candlelight. A dark face that you only recognize since you met the man just hours prior, and his confident stare provides you with a sense of ease despite the total absence of familiarity surrounding you. As the shapeless beings around you in the dusty, crowded, and freezing basement start to come alive, you manage to get your exhausted legs under you. The temptation to collapse back onto the floor nearly overtakes you, but a final push of adrenaline keeps you concentrated on the task at hand. Many months, countless miles, and one singular goal have all led to this pitch-black early morning. "The boat is waiting. We need to hurry." Once the signal from the nearby docks is received, the man guides you from the sanctuary of a church basement and through a rudimentary tunnel. A cool, chilling breeze - with a growing hint of fish and freshwater - beckons you towards the shrubbery-hidden mouth of the tunnel and a steamship laden with lumber and other goods. A white man stands of the helm of this ship, but - to your pleasant surprise - the black man leading you appears to be running the entire operation. This black man positions you and others securely within the ship's hull, bolts the hatch down, and gives one final instruction within earshot: "To the Fort first, then Sandusky. Black wool is secured." The steamship's engines spurt to life. Hours pass, and your stomach turns in and over itself. A combination of anxiety, anticipation, malnourishment, and the natural bob of open water. Your mind drifts back over the past several months - the oppressive heat of the deep south, the beatings, the escape, the close encounters, the freezing starlight nights, claustrophobic basements, barn latches, famished steps. All those moments led to this...one final journey. The engines calm to a whisper. Strange voices are heard above you, steadily dropping from maritime calls to rushed, hushed utterances. The latch above you opens and a combination of excited white and black faces peer down into the hull of the T. Whitney. "Welcome to Fort Malden. Welcome to Upper Canada. Rise up, brothers and sisters - you are free at last." Welcome to Part II of our limited series on the Detroit region's pivotal role in the Underground Railroad! After field-testing a few ideas, we decided to launch this article at the climax of the railroad's most critical moment: the most historic "summit push" or "final mile" that humanity's greatest journeys have ever accounted for. The final hours separating fugitive from free, hunted from protected, life from near-certain death. The meat of this article will surround both sides of this crucial final passage between "Midnight," the City of Detroit, and "Dawn," the Canadian shoreline. Picking up where we left off in Part I, we will first retrace and remember the routes, locations, and key conductors that safely guided fugitive "passengers" through the dangerous streets of heavily-patrolled Detroit. Next, we will follow the paths of the tens of thousands of freed slaves that formed new lives on the free shores of Upper Canada. Our series will conclude with a dive into the living legacy of the Underground Railroad within our region, especially focusing on the opportunities available to us today for further honoring and expanding its impact on Detroit's outdoors. Underground Railroad Self-Guided Tour Map, provided by the Detroit Greenways Coalition SURVIVING THE MIDNIGHT MASQUERADE Fugitive slaves arrived within the City of Detroit predominantly following the Rouge River, just north of today's City of River Rouge. As discussed in Part I, the requisite secrecy for safely operating the Underground Railroad means that modern historians must settle for incomplete or unverifiable information regarding its exact operation, although historical evidence suggests that most Detroit-based conductors made contact with fugitive passengers near the location of today's Zug Island. Once contact was safely established, all roads led north to the city's center. A quick glance at the map shared above demonstrates that the Detroit of the 19th century was utilized by railroad conductors almost in its entirety for safely housing and transporting passengers. The route depicted above provides a comprehensive guide for visiting any and all of Detroit's railroad-related sites, including the gravestones of several prominent abolitionists and fugitives that established Detroit as the "Great Refuge of the North." For this article, we will condense this list to Detroit railroad's key historical stations - and their operators - that you can still visit and honor today. Second Baptist Church. When it comes to Detroit’s role in the Underground Railroad, Second Baptist Church is largely considered the single most historically-significant location within the city. The safe house in the church’s basement, known as the “Croghan Street Station,” represents one of the only remaining documented Detroit stations on the Underground Railroad. Thirteen freed slaves founded the church in 1836, thereby establishing Michigan’s first black congregation. Although first located on Fort Street, the congregation moved in 1857 to its current location in Greektown. The church evolved into a critical station on the Underground Railroad, housing an estimated 5,000 freedom seekers at both of its locations over a 30 year period. Abolitionist leaders including Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, and John Brown worked with Second Baptist in its railroad-related operations. First Congregational Church. First established in 1844, the First Congregational Church of Detroit supported antislavery activism in numerous ways. The church's second location's proximity to the Detroit River made its basement an ideal location for concealing fugitives while they awaited safe passage to Canada. Rev. Harvey Kitchel, who pastored the church from 1848 to 1864, staunchly advocated for the abolitionist cause during his tenure. Following Kitchel's example, church members like Horace Hallock sheltered freedom seekers in their homes and served within antislavery political organizations. First Congregational Church moved into its current building in 1891 and opened an Underground Railroad Living Museum in 2001. Mariner's Church. The connection of Mariner's Church to the Underground Railroad was forgotten for nearly a century - until construction workers in 1955 discovered a tunnel that traversed Jefferson Avenue, under Hart Plaza, and opened via a clandestine gateway to the Detroit River. The tunnel was discovered when the city decided to move the church from its historic location on Woodward Avenue to its current location, and it is believed that a hidden door in the original church's sub-basement opened to the tunnel that led to the Detroit River and waiting boats. You may have picked up on this, but we utilized Mariner's Church within our opening dramatization of the final journey from Midnight to Dawn. Tommy’s Detroit Bar and Grill. Built in 1840, and just steps away from the Detroit River, Tommy’s also has a tunnel beneath the bar that is believed to have been used during both the Prohibition era to funnel alcohol and as an outlet for the Underground Railroad. Site of Finney Barn. Located roughly half a mile from the Detroit River, Seymour Finney’s barn provided a common last stop for freedom seekers on their way to Canada. In the early 1850s, Finney built the barn to serve the guests at his hotel, "the Finney House." In an almost Tarantino-style scenario, runaway bounty hunters often stayed at the Finney House while fugitives simultaneously took cover in the barn’s hayloft until nightfall, when abolitionists coordinated secret trips across the Detroit River. A FINAL JOURNEY TO DAWN There is one final character that we need to introduce into Midnight's story - the final "ferryman" that's largely credited with transporting most of Detroit's passengers from bondage to freedom. That man is George DeBaptiste, a black man born free in Virginia in 1815 that brought his abolitionist talents to Detroit in 1846, the shadow-owner of the steamship T. Whitney, and the final conductor described in this article's opening passage. Publicly, DeBaptiste worked in a variety of positions including caterer and clerk. In private and under moonlight, however, the ardent abolitionist secretly transported men, women, and children out of the United States aboard the T. Whitney and to freedom, putting his own safety at risk for the sake of others. And what was the T. Whitney's principal port-of-call? No, not Windsor - which I had erroneously believed until conducting research for this series. The answer is actually the small yet gargantuanly-historic town of Amherstburg, Ontario - Upper Canada's equivalent of "Ellis Island" for fugitive slaves during the 19th century. Thanks be to Heaven that I have got here at last: on yonderside of Detroit River, I was recognized as property; but on this side I am on free soil. Hail, Brittania! Shame, America! This is an actual quote from a freedom-seeker's documented account of their passage on the Underground Railroad, as published in Ann Arbor's Signal newspaper in 1846. Better than any words that I could attempt to type here, this quote succinctly captures the jubilance, relief, pain, and bitterness that refugees from the American south felt upon touching tierra firma in Canada. Cargo ships like the T. Whitney would typically south down the Detroit River towards Fort Malden, the principal port of entry into Upper Canada. Upon arrival at the docks near Fort Malden, international commerce involving mostly lumber would coincide with an importation of "black wool" - the fugitives that would, for the first time in their entire lives, breathe in fresh air as free men. Starting in 1850, an estimated 30 passengers per day obtained freedom via this method of morally illicit human trafficking. Despite their arrival in Canada, the free men, women, and children still found themselves largely at the mercy of their new community. These newly-minted African-Canadians often arrived without money, food, or clothing suited to the rigors of a Canadian winter. Fortunately, fugitive-established churches like the Amherstburg First Baptist Church (founded in 1836) and the Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church (founded in 1848) were ready and willing to shelter the arrivals in desperate need of community support. Both of these community organizations - and the multigenerational congregations that support them - are still vibrant and active today. THE RAILROAD'S LIVING LEGACY So... what's the point in retracing the journey of the Underground Railroad through the Detroit region? Why spend the time and effort in researching, visiting, and hiking these routes? Yes, history is interesting, but why take an active audience through this academic exercise? The simple answer is that this exercise matters because we as a society disregard what we do not value - and our region's historical significance is often indefensibly undervalued. Beyond a general interest in writing about an outdoor recreation theme that has relevancy to black historical events, our desire to reach and write about the Underground Railroad stemmed from childlike curiosity in its specifics. Which routes did fugitive slaves travel on? Where did they shelter? Who guided them? Who hunted them? What organizations still honor and preserve their legacy? Ladies and gentlemen, our conclusion is that the Detroit region has an immense opportunity to honor the living legacy of the Underground Railroad in two profound ways: 1. Rediscover, Rebuild, and Maintain the Underground Railroad's Routes. Not to sound like a broken record, but we spun our wheels fairly excessively trying to track down common routes of the Underground Railroad. Yes, historical records to date appear unpromising for pinning down the exact routes traveled. However, other regions have uncovered - and maintained - other well-known or alleged routes of the Underground Railroad for historical preservation and modern recreation. The Detroit region should embark on similar trail building and preservation initiatives for our Underground Railroad routes. As we noted in Part I of this series, there are at least three virtually-certain routes of the Underground Railroad that are already being incorporated by various organizations into larger trail networks. Why not expand the operations of the State of Michigan's Freedom Trail Commission towards formally reestablishing the historical routes used within the railroad? Especially with the future connection of the Gordie Howe International Bridge to Canada's established trail systems and Michigan's campaign to be universally recognized as the "Trails State," this initiative should be a no-brainer action towards protecting the legacy of the Underground Railroad. 2. Strengthen our Support of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion ("DEI") Initiatives Despite the thousands upon thousands of miles that black Americans traversed along the Underground Railroad, de facto and de jure policies, laws, and norms implemented throughout the 19th, 20th, and even early 21st centuries have largely kept our outdoor spaces fragmented and inhospitable along racial lines. Across the country - and specifically within the Detroit region - private companies, community organizations, and governmental institutions alike have adopted DEI initiatives to create more diverse, equitable, and inclusive outdoor recreation opportunities for recreationists of every race, religion, and walk of life. These initiatives include actions like ensuring that cost is not a barrier to accessing parks and outdoor recreation, implementing more culturally-competent programming, and working to better include people of marginalized identities in planning, programming, and staffing. Organizations like Detroit Outdoors, which is centered on fostering more meaningful connections between Detroit's urban youth and the outdoors, provides opportunities for engagement with the outdoors through offering learning opportunities and activities such as overnight camping. As Black History Month comes to a close today, we would like to sign off on this series by acknowledging and honoring the estimated 15 million men, women, and children of African descent that tragically died during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. We also want to recognize and further honor the hundreds of thousands of Black Americans that dared to stand against that grave injustice by reclaiming their God-given freedom via the Underground Railroad. We vow to continue to honor their legacy and sacrifice through promoting an outdoor ecosystem that benefits the livelihood every recreationist in an equitable, sustainable, and supportive manner.

In honor of Black History Month, we are exploring the complexity, bravery, and utmost historical significance of the Underground Railroad - especially within the scope of the Detroit region's unique role within its operation. Join us as we examine this great and tragic trail that forever redefined our region's history. In the America of the 21st century, outdoor recreation - especially for expansive, extended periods of time - is largely regarded as a luxury. Don't believe me? Take a quick look at your Instagram feed. If yours resembles anything like ours, then every couple of scrolls features a young-ish outdoor enthusiast living out their #VanLife, thru-hiking, or related outdoor-influencer lifestyle. Complete with pristine gear, jaw-dropping views, all smiles, and - inexplicably - zero sweat or dirt. Such public personas reflect the new "American Dream" for the "millennial" and "zoomer" generations: unending joy derived from carrying hardly any possessions, exploring beautifully planned and scenic trails, and freely hiking without any external pressures bearing down on you. I wonder how glamorous this lifestyle would appear if we switched up a few variables. How many thru-hikers would complete the Appalachian Trail if they could only hike at night - without any headlamps or trail signs? What would the completion percentage of the Continental Divide Trail reflect if hikers were unable to rest for 20 miles at a time? Would the Pacific Crest Trail retain its popularity if you could only begin the trail if carrying solely the clothes on your back? Would anyone even attempt the North Country Trail - America's longest National Scenic Trail - if they knew, with absolute certainty, that they would be hunted for even attempting the feat? These questions are obviously rhetorical. No one in their right mind would attempt to complete a journey under such harrowing conditions unless their life truly depended on it. America's outdoor culture would erode rapidly. Your TikTok feed would evaporate overnight. Unless... unless such hikers had no other option than to set out on this apparent suicide mission. Unless the alternative of remaining in their current living conditions constituted a far, far worse existence. Two centuries ago, hundreds of thousands of enslaved black men, women, and their families faced such a decision. They chose to potentially - no, likely - die in the pursuit of freedom vs. certainly die in the bondage of slavery. They chose to venture out into the darkness of the unknown, carrying nothing but a day's worth of food, their sweat-stained clothes, and an inextinguishable belief in their dignity as human beings. These black Americans journeyed along the disparate and illicit trail system called the "Underground Railroad," traveling treacherously towards one final and almost mythical destination: Midnight. REINTRODUCING AMERICA'S MOST DANGEROUS TRAIL Let's start by knocking out one common misconception: the Underground Railroad was neither underground nor an actual railroad. Instead, the Underground Railroad grew organically from 1780 through 1861 as a series of interconnected trail networks united by one singular purpose: to guide escaped slaves from the southern United States towards obtaining freedom. This "railroad" consisted of several secret routes and safe houses scattered throughout the northernmost slaveholding states and extending all the way to the Canadian border. Alternative, shorter routes led south to Cuba or west to Mexico, although the vast majority of these routes led north. The Underground Railroad derived its name from the terminology that "conductors" (the abolitionist network) and "passengers" (the escaped slaves) utilized to describe its network of "stations" (the safe houses). Passengers would travel from station to station following the "railway" - an indirect, inefficient, hazardous, and decentralized route intentionally maintained as such to avoid Federal bounty hunters. Even prominent conductors were unaware of the extent of the railroad in order to further protect both the fugitive slaves and the integrity of the routes, which often extended over 1,000 miles. The clandestine nature of the Underground Railroad was brilliantly crafted and absolutely warranted. The success of the railroad in the early 19th century, with new routes opening regularly in tandem with northern states and territories electing to abolish slavery, prompted southern outrage and demand for Federal action. In 1850, Congress appeased the southern states by enacting a second Fugitive Slave Act, which included the following provisions related to convictions for harboring fugitive slaves anywhere within the United States: Imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000 (roughly $38,355 in today's USD) per fugitive. Bonus compensation to judicial magistrates for successful convictions. Bonus compensation to police officers that apprehended alleged runaway slaves. Forced return of alleged fugitive slave to southern state of origin. The passing of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 not only heightened the necessity of secrecy along the Underground Railroad, but also fundamentally changed its routing and composition. Most notably, the Act made Upper Canada (modern Ontario) - which had granted freedom to former American slaves since 1793 - the destination of choice for assured freedom. The conductors wasted no time drawing up new routes to Ontario, including new stations that avoided well-traveled routes alone Lake Erie. New stations were established. And, due to relatively recent historical events, one state in particular became the most sought-after destination for the masses yearning for freedom. MICHIGAN'S STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE TO THE RAILROAD Even in the 21st century, much of the Underground Railroad's history is simply unrecoverable. The requisite secrecy surrounding its entire operation means accepting the reality that we will never fully grasp the depth, nuance, and complexity that defined the long trail to freedom. That being said, we in the Detroit region benefit from indisputable historical evidence that southeastern Michigan constituted a prominent route along the Underground Railroad towards southwestern Ontario. Beyond the geographic proximity of the two areas, abolitionist veterans of the War of 1812 recalled how easily the British-Canadian, American, and Native American armies crossed the Great Lakes during the northwest theater of the war. In fact, American prisoners of war were led on foot by their British captors across the frozen Detroit River to Amherstburg following the rout at the Battles of Frenchtown. . There was just one catch, however: the Feds had just as sharp of a memory as the abolitionists. Bounty hunters during the antebellum era increasingly patrolled the port cities along Lake Erie, especially well-known gateway port cities like Cleveland. Crossing prolonged open water on the Great Lakes evolved into one of the riskiest segments of the entire Underground Railroad. Daring ships that carried fugitives, such as the Arrow, United States, Mayflower and Bay City, are known to us now only because they were caught in their daring mission. With these Great Lakes risks steadily rising, the railroad rerouted its course northwest and over land, with most trails northbound converging upon Toledo, Ohio before diverting away from the lakeshore. The trail continued northwest in a seemingly counter-intuitive route, through Monroe County's sanctuary cities like Adrian and Tecumseh, until aligning with other eastbound routes in the capital of Michigan's anti-slavery movement: Ann Arbor. THE FORGOTTEN TRAILS TO MIDNIGHT While we were researching this article, we stumbled upon two absolute truths. First, that the Detroit region provided an essential and pivotal final destination for the Underground Railroad. Second - and most frustratingly for an outdoorsman that loves retracing history - no one knows exactly where the main routes existed. Similar to most historic Native American trails, the most prominent routes utilized by the Underground Railroad's conductors and passengers are still used today - but in a very, very different capacity. I-94 is the most prominent example of an Underground Railroad route that modern commuters traverse on a daily basis without thinking twice about the historical significance of their surroundings. Despite the tragic paving-over of these historically and culturally-significant routes, our research efforts uncovered a variety of historical information pointing towards modern trails that were almost certainly used within the Underground Railroad. As mentioned, Ann Arbor's preeminent position as the abolitionist mecca of Michigan meant that virtually all Detroit-bound routes passed through the city. In modern times, Ann Arbor continues to lead the Detroit region as an innovator in creating outdoor recreation opportunities for its greater community, including the restoration, preservation, and creation of extensive trail routes. Furthermore, we know that rivers and other natural features were utilized as navigational directives, especially since most fugitive slaves were illiterate. Armed with these data points, here are three modern trails that were most likely - if not certainly - a part of the Underground Railroad's vast network. The Western Road: Dexter to Ann Arbor via the Border-to-Border Trail Distance: 2.5 miles Elevation Gain: 75 feet Trail Orientation: Point-to-Point Recommended Recreation Method: Running (trail and pavement), Cycling, or Kayaking Aside from Midnight, Ann Arbor represented the principal destination of choice for freedom seekers passing through Michigan. Regardless of whether journeying north from Ohio or northeast from Indiana, all Detroit-bound railroad routes eventually converged in Ann Arbor. The efforts of prominent Ann Arbor residents like Guy Buckley, the editor of the anti-slavery newspaper The Signal of Liberty, nationally propagated the worst-kept secret about Ann Arbor providing a refuge for runaway slaves. Just west of Ann Arbor, however, stood another recent settlement that provided a vital station for weary travelers along the desolate western Michigan segments of the railroad: Mill Creek Settlement, now known as the City of Dexter. Thanks to historical, firsthand resources like an 1885 interview with Erastus Hussey of Battle Creek, Michigan, a conductor on the Underground Railroad, we know that Samuel Dexter - Dexter's namesake founder - was also an instrumental conductor along this "northern route" to Detroit. Dexter's prominent home called "Gordon Hall," located just northwest of the Village of Dexter, is also widely believed to have been a key Underground Railroad safe house within the settlement. Despite the inherent lack of certainty that surrounds most Underground Railroad research, available records definitely prove that Samuel Dexter assisted with the railroad's operation in and around Dexter, that a prominent railroad route led from Dexter to Ann Arbor, and that fugitive slaves often utilized rudimentary navigational directives like the Huron River for guidance. As a net result of aggregating these historical data points, we can confidently state that the modern Border-to-Border ("B2B") Trail across Washtenaw County most likely traces the exact routes utilized for the railroad's Ann Arbor-centric segments. Of the B2B's established trails (several segments are still under construction), the Dexter-Huron Metropark segment leading from Downtown Dexter towards Ann Arbor follows the historical route that fugitives almost certainly traversed under moonlit and hushed conditions. The paved trail is best traversed on foot or by bike peddle, but paddling this route also comes with an added element of adventure - especially since voyagers along the Underground Railroad may also have completed this segment utilizing maritime transportation methods. The Eastern Road: Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti via the Ann Arbor Ramble Trail Distance: 5.9 miles Elevation Gain: 42 feet Trail Orientation: Loop Recommended Recreation Method: Running (pavement), Cycling, or Kayaking From the abolitionist stronghold of Ann Arbor, there were two primary routes to Midnight that passengers could follow. The more prominent - and therefore more dangerous - route continued down the banks of the Huron River towards another well-regarded Underground Railroad station: Ypsilanti, Michigan. Similar to Ann Arbor and Dexter, some of Yspilanti's leading public citizens also held instrumental roles in the operation of the Underground Railroad. Ypsilanti resident George McCoy transported fugitives in wagons with false bottoms and gave them shelter in his barn, while Helen McAndrew hid passengers in either her octagon house or barn. Leonard Chase, “who resided on Cross Street at the summit of the hill,” ran a regular station there, and carried food to the hiding places of the near-starving men, women and children. These are just a handful of several brave Ypsilanti founding citizens - both white and black alike - that risked their lives and livelihoods to facilitate this immensely important station on the trail to Midnight. The Ann Arbor Ramble trail displayed above also constitutes a segment of the B2B Trail, although this portion hugs the Huron River within a more urban setting. As such, while trail cyclists and walkers will lose somewhat of the isolation founder within Dexter-Huron Metropark, the constant presence of a large, surrounding community will hopefully instill an appreciation for the risk that fugitives bore while traversing the same route 200 years ago. Yes, abolitionist safe houses fortunately dotted the banks of the Huron along this route, but the homes and developments that you will jog, cycle, or hike past were likely standing in some earlier iteration during the antebellum era - and not all of those homesteads were friends of the abolitionist cause. Nonetheless, thousands of indescribably brave conductors and passengers completed this nearly 6 mile passage from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti in the most rudimentary and secretive of conditions. Today, you can retrace their steps along the immaculate B2B Trail's Ann Arbor Ramble section as a convenient loop, including multiple scenic crossings of the Huron River at Gallop Park. We also could not more strongly recommend paddling this pristine segment of the Huron River National Water Trail. The Great River: Plymouth to Dearborn via the Hines Drive Ramble Trail Distance: 15.1 miles Elevation Gain: 229 feet Trail Orientation Method: Point-to-Point Recommended Recreation: Cycling to cover whole trail point-to-point; Running (pavement) also feasible for conditioned distance runners The northeastern route of the Underground Railroad roughly followed the course of today's M-14 - a direct shot across the rolling hills of eastern Washtenaw County towards western Wayne County. After Ann Arbor, Plymouth provided the next abolitionist stronghold for fugitive passengers journeying slightly north towards the Detroit River. Beyond the litany of Plymouth homes and businesses that operated as safe houses, Plymouth's rise in prominence as a railroad station also resulted from another natural attribute: its location at the source of the Middle Rouge River, the meandering central vein of the entire Detroit region. Nowadays, the route utilized by the Underground Railroad has largely been preserved within the Hines Drive Ramble trail. Just like the natural navigational directions received by the fugitive slaves, this trail follows the course of the Middle Rouge River from its official start in Plymouth Township to its embedment within the primary Rouge River in Dearborn Heights. Several locations along the Hines Drive Ramble were known or rumored to be Underground Railroad safe houses, including several homes, Mead's Mill, and most famously Nankin Mills. The Hines Drive of 2023 provides a community staple for accessible recreation: paved trails, cleared brush, frequent outdoor events, sports fields, and engaging activity centers dotting the trailhead. Perfect for cycling and road running. However, for our more intrepid readers, we recommend that you lace up your hiking boots (or snow shoes) and follow the labyrinth of natural trails that intersect the main paved trail. These natural trails tend to more truly follow the route of the Middle Rouge, thereby increasing the likelihood of their use by freedom seekers two centuries ago. The light amount of maintenance allocated to these trails also preserves their inherent and somewhat unforgiving natural qualities - the perfect conditions for transporting back in time despite hiking through the heart of the developed Detroit region. If you're still reading, thank you - this first part of our two-part series on the Underground Railroad covered a lot of ground (please forgive the pun) concerning the railroad's immense historical background, the Detroit region's significant role in the railroad's development, and the modern routes that sustain the legacy of the brave souls that traversed our familiar trails centuries earlier in the name of freedom. This is a heavy topic, and we sincerely hope that this lengthy article has provided some value to your understanding of the wealth of history and sacrifice that defines our beloved outdoors. Part II of this series will zero in on the last stop on the Underground Railroad: station Midnight, aka the City of Detroit, and the conductors that facilitated the railroad's final passage across the Detroit River. We'll see you at Midnight.

In recognition of this winter's inaugural snow storm, this edition of our #ExpeditionEssentials Series focuses on five essential survival skills to learn prior to venturing into the snow-blanketed backcountry.