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The sixth installation of our #TrailTownSpotlight series, this edition highlights the natural gems of one of Michigan's most beautiful, historic, and - as of very recently - controversial destinations: Dearborn, Michigan. Join us as we explore and re-introduce this vibrant outdoor community! First impressions matter. In human psychology, this is called the "Primacy Effect": a cognitive bias where individuals tend to predominantly remember the first piece of information they encounter rather than any information they may receive later on. This first piece of information could comprise of a thought, experience, or second-hand description. When I hear the word "Dearborn," my brain immediately time travels to a first impression resembling a humid evening in August, circa 1998. My family were Detroit region expats at the time, but we made semiannual pilgrimages back to the homeland. This particular year, the legacy of a distant relative was being honored at a special event located at some place called "Greenfield Village" in "Dearborn." Those names meant nothing to me, other than a cessation in cousin playtime in favor of putting on formal clothes and driving some 30 minutes away. Stepping out of the car, I experienced immediate confusion regarding my surroundings. The bright red brick contrasting with white steeples. Row after row of older, victorian-styled buildings. Fancy old cars. Men and women in period clothing. Even an old train stationed not too far away. Sights that I had never seen in Michigan before. "Mom, are we at an amusement park?" She laughed. The memory ends before I can recall her response. For decades, that memory of Greenfield Village constituted my sole impression of the City of Dearborn. After my family reestablished our roots in Southeast Michigan, new experiences and interactions started to accompany my connection with the city. I attended several weddings at The Dearborn Inn. Cycling from Plymouth to Dearborn along Hines Drive became a favorite past time. My father and I ran in the 2019 "Martian Invasion of Races" through its downtown. Most importantly, several of my closest friends - including a significant proportion of my law school class - all came from Dearborn. Men and women of diverse cultures and backgrounds, interests and passions. Amazingly, each and every one of them with a desire to make today slightly better than yesterday - to push themselves towards excellence. Exhibit A is our own Dr. Eric Reilly, a Dearborn High alum, accomplished anesthesiologist, and badass backcountry outdoorsman. I don't believe that my Dearborn story, as a long-term Detroit region local, is unique. Generations of Michiganders have fallen in love with the historic and culturally-diverse mosaic that defines Dearborn. A collective first impression that's overwhelmingly positive. On a national scale, however, Dearborn's public image is under siege. This first came to my attention watching a certain episode of "Designated Survivor," where Dearborn was depicted as a post-apocalyptic hellscape of suburban unrest. And then came this month's infamous article in the Wall Street Journal, which we will not be linking here. A xenophobic hitpiece, written by a non-local, intended to sow distrust within a flourishing community. For better and for worse, we in the Detroit region are no strangers to news headlines painting our communities with a broad, less-than-flattering brush. Especially by "painters" who have never left the confines of DTW. For us at Expedition Detroit, however, we identify with the words of Mark Twain - that "travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." So, in the midst of the swirling headlines, we decided to trek down Hines Drive to Dearborn to experience the city firsthand. More particularly, we sought out Dearborn's outdoor destinations, outfitters, cafés, pubs, and other institutions that form the bedrock of its active community. Our mission at Expedition Detroit involves changing the national narrative regarding the Detroit region's status as a gateway to world-class outdoor destinations, so its our honor to reintroduce Dearborn here with a designation that we all can rally around: an innovative, historic, diverse, and flourishing "Trail Town." MEET DEARBORN Located at the confluence of the Upper, Middle, and Lower Rouge Rivers, Dearborn's monumental recorded history began with a few humble farming settlements strategically centered around a popular Native American trading route. Dearborn's first major industrial event occurred in 1832, spurred on by the U.S. Army's relocation of the "Detroit Arsenal" munitions storage complex to an area outside of a rapidly growing Detroit. This new area was subsequently named after Revolutionary War hero Gen. Henry Dearborn, then called the Village of Deabornville before incorporating as the City of Dearborn in 1897. General Dearborn would eventually become the second most famous Henry within the confines of his namesake city. Starting in 1917, inventor Henry Ford chose to build the Ford Motor Company's "Fordson Assembly Plant" in Dearborn, which at its peak employed 103,000 workers. The Ford Motor Company continues to house its headquarters in Dearborn within a building locally known as the "Glass House." The Dearborn of 2024 carries forward this historical legacy of innovation and growth into one of the most unique destinations within the Detroit region. Aside from the living heritage of the Ford Motor Company, Dearborn is also renowned for constituting the home of the largest Arab-American community in the United States, including the Islamic Center of America that is reputed to represent the largest mosque in America. Dearborn offers all of the cultural amenities that one would expect from Michigan's "fastest growing city," including art galleries, theaters, Ford-related historical destinations, and the Arab American National Museum. Most importantly for Expedition Detroit's audience, the City of Dearborn has also invested heavily into its world-class parks, trails, and other recreational outlets for sustaining its flourishing population. Let's turn to those destinations now. CAN'T MISS EXPERIENCE: Rouge River Gateway Trail When we first launched the Expedition Detroit platform, one of our first "Advocacy" articles focused on the unprecedented recreational opportunity that the Rouge River presents for Detroit's outdoorists. Once the main biochemical drain for our region's manufacturing might, the tireless efforts of groups like Friends of the Rouge are spurring on a renaissance in the river's natural history. Just like the Huron River National Water Trail, we dream of the day when we'll be able to canoe camp seamlessly from Northville to Dearborn. While the Lower Rouge Water Trail remains a transformative work in progress, the paved Rouge River Gateway Trail constitutes Dearborn's "Can't Miss" outdoor experience for recreationists of all abilities and interests. Starting from the S Brady St. trailhead, this panoramic trail crosses scenic boardwalks and bridges providing runners, walkers, and bikers with sweeping river views and Michigan Avenue highlights. The trail crosses the main Rouge River to then meander past the Ford Estate, University of Michigan-Dearborn's campus, and then eventually connect with the Hines Drive Ramble at its northern terminus. BEST FOR THE FAMILY: Ford Field Park The Ford Family left its legacy all over the City of Dearborn. From its skyscrapers to payroll, factories to open air museums, the modern city was unmistakeable shaped by the Ford name. Fortunately for outdoorists of all ages, the Ford Family's activities also journeyed into the recreational space with its namesake destination: Ford Field Park. Ford Field Park offers scenic views of the Rouge River, access to the start of the River Gateway Trail, large picnic shelters, tennis courts, ball fields, sledding hills, and much more. The park is spread over many acres and can be found just north of Michigan Avenue near West Downtown Dearborn. Highly recommended experiences include visiting its covered bridge, multiple hiking paths (especially the Waterfall Loop Trail), seasonal kayak and canoe rentals, and play areas also adorn the park, and attending one of the many local and regional events occurring throughout the year. OFF THE BEATEN PATH: Riverside and Kroger Trails Yes - even in Michigan's "Fastest Growing City," you can still find "off the beaten path" outdoor destinations to explore. One such intrepid experience hiking or mountain biking Dearborn's Riverside and Kroger Trails, located on the western fringe of West Dearborn. Note of caution here: these trails, especially in the off-season, are very poorly marked. Even the trailhead is demarcated simply by a laminated notice tacked onto a tree. As such, we highly recommend referencing the map that we included below. Frequently. Hear us out though - that's what makes this such a great trail. The Detroit region is jam-packed with adventurous, under-explored, and wildlife-filled destinations like the Riverside and Kroger Trails. Better yet, these destinations are often hiding in plain sight. A stone's throw away from suburbia, yet as wild as untamed wilderness can get. We love it. FEATURED OUTFITTER: Nichols Ski and Snowboard 21938 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn As a whole, the Detroit region's outdoor industry is still relatively nascent. Only within the last decade or so have we seen a massive influx of local outdoor brands emerging into the brick-and-mortar scene - a very welcomed sight to say the least. Fortunately, that trend is anticipated to continue for decades to come. In light of the exciting trajectory of our industry, we would be remiss to not express our undying gratitude to the "O.G." outfitters and ski shops that pioneered the trail for Detroit's flourishing outdoor economy. One such establishment is Dearborn's Nichols Ski and Snowboard, family-owned and continuously operating since 1954. Nichols' has maintained its 70-year presence on Michigan Avenue through its commitment to customer service, dedicated staff, and massive selection of downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding equipment. MORNING FUEL: Black Box Coffee and Art 1034 Monroe Street, Dearborn Coffee, like recreation, should be versatile. For Expedition Detroit, our perfect "morning fuel" shop provides a space where we could either "grab and go" or ease into the day with an artisan coffee, relaxing environment, and friendly servers. Extra points if the space is designed as a destination where the exquisite coffee is just the cherry on top of an otherwise unique experience. Enter Dearborn's "Black Box," where world-class art and coffee align for an engaging café experience. As a premier coffee shop, art gallery, and event space in Dearborn, Black Box promotes and showcases premium hand crafted coffee seamlessly alongside the work of local, national, and international artists. Over the next month (February 23rd through March 31st), Black Box will showcase a photography exhibit called "Delicate Moments," comprising of captured images "hidden in every day, short-lived moments" spanning bustling streets to tranquil backyards. Need to cut your visit short for a morning ride? No problem - Black Box also has a walk-up window designed specifically for you. POST-TRAIL WATERING HOLE: The Biergarten 22184 Michigan Ave, Dearborn This may be a cardinal sin as a Michigander, but my go-to brew isn't always a locally-brewed craft IPA. In full transparency, spending 3 weeks hopping trains, hiking trails, and raising steins through Central Europe all but altered my beer inclinations towards German and Czech-style pilsners. So, if you're looking to get a positive review from yours truly, going with a German name might give you a leg up on the competition. On a serious note, The Biergarten off of Michigan Avenue has held a cherished place among locals for nearly 30 years. Biergarten features all of the staples of the ideal post-trail watering hole: welcoming environment, friendly staff, hearty burgers, cocktails, unbeatable prices, and a massive beer selection. Prost! This article only scratches the surface on all that Dearborn has to offer for its residents and visitors. For more information on local businesses, organizations, and outdoor recreation opportunities, be sure to check out fantastic local networks like the Downtown Dearborn Development Authority! Do you live in Dearborn? Have any additional suggestions for our community's attention? Please feel free to suggest any extra experiences, retailers, or outdoor events in the comments below!

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition explores the glistening lakes, vast marshes, and wooded ridge lines of Bald Mountain State Recreation Area's Blue, White, and Orange Loops. Join us as we conquer one of the Detroit region's "Black Diamond" trails on our first visit to Bald Mountain in Oakland Charter Township, Michigan! Some days it's easy to be an "Outdoorist." The cloudless weather sits at an idyllic 60-something degrees. The trail is dry, clear, and teeming with wildlife. Depending on the time of year, you'll be surrounded by blossoming spring buds or vibrant fall colors. As #pure as Pure Michigan can get. And then...some days you'll be hiking in peak "stick season." Muddy, cloudy, rainy, unbecoming stick season. For the uninitiated/unfamiliar with Noah Kahan's discography, stick season runs parallel with late fall and early spring. Its telltale signs include no leaves, no snow, and no flowers. Just...sticks. Monotone, damp, uninviting sticks. Here's the irony about stick season recreation though: it is, without a doubt, the most important time of the year for Metro Detroiters to hit the trail. Especially with our region's shorter days this time of year, clinical studies unfortunately show that mental health conditions plummet in the offseason months. Additionally, a significant portion of our population simply cannot afford to lose out on months of physical, outdoor recreation due to our region's high rates of preventable health conditions. A critical benefit of hiking during stick season also includes the simple act of accomplishing a difficult, rewarding task. By choosing not to wait out poor weather on the couch - opting instead to subject yourself to southeast Michigan's raw elements - you will unleash the floodgates of resiliency benefits that correlate directly with such feats. In fact, leading research shows that the more difficult the task, the more profoundly you will experience the neurological benefits associated with challenging your status quo. The Expedition Detroit team packed this mindset with us on our recent visit to Bald Mountain State Recreation Area in Rochester, Michigan. We picked one of our region's more challenging trails, on a pouring, muddy January afternoon, at a destination that we had yet to visit. Our goal was to recreate in the least hospitable conditions possible. The virtually nonexistent number of fellow hikers solidified that we were on the right track. "Perfect," I said audibly at the empty East Graham Lake trailhead. "Now the adventure really begins." MEET BALD MOUNTAIN STATE RECREATION AREA As you pass by the former site of the Palace of Auburn Hills (rip), you may notice the lack of "mountains" in your general vicinity. While this fact may throw off your orienteering slightly, know that you are indeed heading towards Bald Mountain State Recreation Area's 4,637 acres featuring some of the "steepest hills and most rugged terrain in southeastern Michigan. First established in 1946, the Michigan Department of Conservation (predecessor to the DNR) named the new recreation area after a prominent ski hill located during to the south of the acquired land. The ski hill may have met its ultimate fate on the wrong side of a bulldozer, but its legacy of accessible world-class recreation lived on through the expansion of Bald Mountain's protected acreage. In 1981, an estimated 1,500 acres of land, formerly owned by Chrylser, were added to the recreation area, providing access to Tommy’s Lake, and including property west of Lapeer Road. Another monumental expansion occurred in 2006, when the DNR purchased 62-acres that facilitated access to the Paint Creek Trail. In 2024, Bald Mountain is most celebrated for its expansive and adventure-filled quantity of "Backcountry Zone" terrain. Approximately 3,236 acres, or 63.6% of the entire park, is zoned for backcountry recreational activities like hiking, backpacking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, nature observation, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hunting, and fishing. Most of this Backcountry Zone is included in Bald Mountain's rugged "North Unit," including its most famous Blue, White, and Orange Loops. Let's tackle those backcountry loops now. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 7.3 miles Elevation Gain: 452 feet Trail Rating: Moderate Route Orientation: Figure 8 Loop Parking Specifics: Parking available at the North Unit MTB and East Graham Lake trailheads; Michigan Recreation Passport required for entry to Bald Mountain State Recreation Area In 1983, the DNR crew stationed at Bald Mountain State Recreation Area headed out into its northern woods with one objective: attract cross-country skiers. The trail builders proceeded to construct a 3.6 mile loop through the rugged ridge lines, wetlands, and tower pines surrounding West and East Graham Lakes. This trail - the "Graham Lakes Trail," aka the "Orange Loop" - not only accomplished its goal of serving as one of the best cross-country skiing destinations in southeast Michigan, but also ranking as one of the "Top 50 Hikes" in the entire lower peninsula. Although AllTrails starts its orientation at the main MTB Parking Lot, we recommend starting your hike at the traditional "Graham Lakes" trailhead located off of Predmore Road (Trail Marker #14). Not only does this trailhead feature a visitor-friendly kiosk with interesting insights into Bald Mountain, but this trailhead also contains rustic bathroom facilities, ample parking, and access to the Graham Lakes. Heading west from the trailhead, your hike begins with a 0.4 mile incline towards Harmon Road. Turn right at the fork in the trail to start on the "White Trail," which you will approach in a clockwise direction. Don't miss the quick offshoot below the MTB Parking Lot towards Heart Lake, which provides not only a beautiful vista of the lake but a general insider's view of the terrain that you will trek 3 miles through. From Heart Lake, continue in your clockwise direction through the hardwoods for another 0.5 miles. At this point, you will notice that the trail bisects into two directions. There should be Trail Marker #3 here, but in our case we were left to our AllTrails map. You can skip that step by remembering to turn left at this point to verge onto the "Blue Trail," which heads southwest towards Carpenter Lake. Anyone wishing to cut their hike short can keep right to stay on the White Trail. The Blue Trail will consume a total of 1.7 miles of your Bald Mountain expedition. This segment of the trail features the steepest incline of the trail - a 7% incline hitting at the 1.6 mile marker - followed abruptly by an enjoyable 10% decline. There is a beautiful overlook at Trail Marker #4 that provides glimpses of Carpenter Lake, although you do need to verge off of the marked Blue Trail briefly to reach it (follow the established trail and always remember to Leave No Trace). Note that the AllTrails route displayed above differs from the marked Blue Trail at this point. We strongly recommend following the marked trail for a litany of reasons, the least of which being that the DNR actively patrols and maintains the marked, official Blue Trail. Plus, an extra half mile of hiking never seriously hurt anyone, right?? Trail Marker #5 designates the official terminus of the Blue Trail and your reunion with the White Trail's northern stretch. After a short climb west, you'll hike virtually due east for the entirety of this 1 mile segment, oscillating along the trail's rollercoaster of climbs and descents until one final climb back towards Harmon Road. Here's an exclusive insight just for you: this trail system features a few "hidden gems" that we haven't noticed within any other article or trail map. One of those gems is located along the White Trail, approximately 0.3 miles after Trail Marker #5. You'll notice the ruins of an old structure to your right. We at Expedition Detroit have no idea what this structure once housed, but what we do know is that its ruins now contain a hidden, beautiful mural located just beyond the trail's direct line of sight. We do not advocate for defacing any natural or historic structure, but when said defacement has occurred in an objectively artistic/beautiful manner like this, well, then it's worth appreciating. Once across Harmon Road, you will briefly retrace your steps to Trail Marker #7 before continuing to conquer the remaining stretches of the Graham Lakes/Orange Loop. These final 3 miles, in our humble opinion, are without a doubt the most fun miles of the route. While hiking on a northern parallel route to the road, you'll enjoy view of Shoe Lake and its surrounding marshes while "riding" the downhill banks that were clearly intended for cross-country skiers and mountain bikers - although also great to rip in treking shoes. You'll also cross the first of two scenic bridges 0.4 miles into this segment (see cover photo). While passing by Prince Lake - distinguished along its southern bank by a surprising stretch of exposed grass in an otherwise very forested segment of trail - keep your head on a swivel for wildlife as you ascend and descend along a 0.5 mile segment we've titled "The Ridge Line." The dramatic Ridge Line provides the best wildlife viewing opportunities due to its panoramic views and location between Prince Lake and Duck Pond. Depending on the season, you should be able to spot whitetail deer, grouse, Canadian geese, cottontail rabbits, coyotes, herons, and maybe - if you're very luck - a bald eagle. The Ridge Line ends at one of the lowest points of the trail, a brief 0.2 mile stint that this "Lord of the Rings" nerd nicknamed "The Dead Marshes." Why? Two reasons. First, glance back up at the photo directly above these words. If that doesn't immediately remind you of the scene where Frodo, Sam, and Gollum are traversing the Dead Marshes, then you and I must have had very different cinematic childhood experiences. The second - and more practical - reason is due to mosquitos. Thanks to glacial activity roughly 15,000 years ago, the Detroit region's Jackson Interlobate Range became categorized by two distinct geological features: dramatic moraine ridge lines and sporadic "kettle pools." The compressed kettle pools were formed by stranded glacial deposits that remained amidst the towering moraines while the primary glaciers receded. These pools now form microecosystems of their own, often teeming with rare wildlife found nowhere else in the Great Lakes region. Unfortunately, they're also overrun by mosquitos. Hordes of them. This, my friends, is another perk of off-season recreation - the mosquitos are nonexistent. However, as I've experienced firsthand on countless occasions, the mosquitos residing in kettle pools and their surrounding marshes will consume you alive during the summer. If you visit this trail April through October, please save yourself by wearing bug spray. Our adventure starts to end with a long, relatively straight climb towards the trail's "summit." After ascending 79 feet over 0.5 miles to reach the summit at 1,027 feet., you will, unfortunately, not be rewarded with any "mountain views" from Bald Mountain's highest point. Instead, we advise cracking a trail brew while relaxing at the conveniently-placed bench to honor the accomplishment. Now that you've summited, all that remains of this "Black Diamond"-rated trail is a 1.1 mile decline back to the Graham Lakes Trailhead. You'll cross another scenic bridge at roughly the halfway point of this descent, which provides one of the best photo opportunities of the trail. Otherwise, we recommend enjoying the consistent trail stretching the entirety of East Graham Lake's wooded southern bank. BOOK A GUIDED HIKE WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT! 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!

In the wake of the Detroit Lions' most exciting - and heart wrenching - season in a generation, we're reflecting back on 5 key takeaways that Detroit's outdoor community can learn from this historic football team. #OnePride "This is it - our whole season depends on this play." I said those words audibly from Section 212C at Ford Field on January 28th. I was on my feet, along with tens of thousands of fellow diehard fans, cheering on the Detroit Lions' playoff hopes until our voices dissipated. Ironically, our yells would have zero tangible effect on that particular play - our boys were playing 2,419.5 miles away in Santa Clara, California. But there we were - The Pride - gathered to watch Goff and the offense try to convert on one final 4th down gamble to keep our Super Bowl dreams alive. The ball's snapped. The cheers give way to bated anticipation. Goff's pass is thrown towards ace receiver Amon Ra St. Brown. The ball hits the ground. Incomplete. This season - this glorious, division championship winning, 3 points away from the Super Bowl, unforgettable season - is now, in all material respects, over. Fans started pouring out of Ford Field nearly as soon as the big screens broadcasted that incompletion. I couldn't join them. I had to stay in my seat, cheering the Lions on until the clock struck 0:00. Maybe it was due to my memory of being in that same building when our team came back against the Chicago Bears in dramatic fashion. Maybe it was the fact that the "Conference Championship" banner was located directly in my line of vision, taunting me with one remaining solitary space. Maybe I simply couldn't accept that these were the final seconds that I would watch this team play until September. Ultimately, I stayed because I fell in love with this particular Detroit Lions team over the last two seasons. Beyond finally bringing winning football back to Detroit, the 2022-2023 Detroit Lions initiated a cultural phenomenon that I had never witnessed in my 30+ years of being a Detroit sports fan. A ripple effect that permeated far beyond the confines of Ford Field, the City of Detroit, or all of Michigan. We all witnessed it. From the Honolulu Blue-lit buildings to the "Go Lions!" messages posted on church placards, "JA-RED GOFF!" chants breaking out at high school cheerleading matches to media graphics showing the whole country rooting for us, our One Pride grew exponentially this season. I've had friends from Colorado and Mississippi reach out to me asking about how it felt to be here, during this particular season, rooting for this exceptional team. And once the heartbreak from our loss started to subside (still grappling with it TBH), I was finally able to answer: "Unforgettable." As Detroit-based recreationists, we place our region's outdoor sports and endeavors over every other genre of recreation - including our beloved professional clubs. In that vein, as we at Expedition Detroit have processed this unforgettable Detroit Lions season from our outdoor lens, we zeroed in on these 5 key takeaways for cementing the legacy of this historic season into the culture of our outdoor community. 1. REBUILDING A CULTURE STARTS WITH GRIT "It's our core foundation, men. Grit. And what does it mean? Really, in a nutshell, I think it means this: we're going to go a little bit longer, we'll push a little harder, and we'll think a little deeper, and a little sharper." Head Coach Dan Campbell, October 1, 2023 Grit. One word that became synonymous with the Detroit Lions this season. An adjective also used to describe the 2004 Detroit Pistons and the 1997 Detroit Red Wings. In fact, just the singular descriptor "Grit" could be used to define the ethos of the entire Detroit region. Coach Campbell provided his palpable definition of the word in the above quote, which he stated after the Detroit Lions secured their grasp on the NFC North division. As outdoorists, his words should resonate immediately and strongly with our recreational passions. Regardless of whether you're peddling up an unforgiving hill on your mountain bike, braving below-freezing temperatures in the stand, paddling up stream in a fierce current, or trekking up hill through multiple feet of powder, "grit" is a prerequisite for success in nearly every outdoor pursuit. An integral resolution to not quit when your quads are screaming, your mind starts playing games, and your body desires nothing more than to return to a comfortable, controlled, and likely indoor space. Libraries of research support the irrefutable mental and physical health benefits of participating in gritty, outdoor recreational sports. In fact, this research supports that the more difficult - i.e., gritty - the pursuit, the greater health benefits you will receive. Beyond those benefits, our main reason for starting with individual outdoor sports corresponds with the macro impact that micro actions can have on instilling culture change. Mahatma Ghandi is often misquoted as saying "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Great mantra, but his actual quote is far more insightful: "All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him." Here's the takeaway from both Campbell and Ghandi: as we as individuals embrace grit in our daily recreational pursuits, we will implicitly ignite a revolution within our recreational culture. One in which the Detroit region becomes a magnet for ardent, passionate, and world-class recreationists. A "culture of champions" that advocates for high quality trails, expansive parks, and world-class recreational opportunities. It starts with us getting outside - regardless of the conditions - and pushing ourselves to become the most resilient and gritty outdoorists that we can be. 2. NEVER ACCEPT COMPLACENCY "I think our focus still has got to be we're not hunted. We're still on the hunt, and I said this back in training camp, but if you're hunting us, you don't have to look far. We're going to be on your front porch when you open the door." Head Coach Dan Campbell, August 6, 2022 I have a singular favorite moment while trail running. An experience that occurs regularly in each of my training runs, but provides an X-factor during competitive races. A mental skill that translates to both other recreational pursuits and life as a whole. The moment arrives when I catch a faint glimpse of another runner down the trail. Someone that I hadn't seen before a particular twist, bend, or hill in the route, despite previous straightaways that could have offered a fleeting sight of their vibrant running attire. Regardless of how many hard-fought miles I may have logged, seeing that runner always makes me smile. Why? Because now I have a new target to track down. A tangible metric to literally chase after. It may take 5 minutes. It may take 5 miles. But as soon as that neon fabric cuts through the woods, in my heart I know it's already too late for that runner. I will push myself to catch them and pass them, even if my legs are on fire and the tread is wearing thin. Of course I don't always catch them before the finish line, but that end result is irrelevant to this takeaway. As Coach Campbell summed up, the main point is to always stay in the hunt - to never accept complacency in spite of past success, always striving be 1% better today than you were yesterday. For recreational sports like trail running, that's a relatively simple concept to visualize. We can all increase our mileage and/or speed through training. The construct gets mirkier with pursuits like skiing, snowboarding, mountain biking, kayaking, hiking, and hunting. Yes, we can all always strive to increase our strength or perfect our form. But removing complacency in these less-binary pursuits also involves upgrading the mental side of the activity. Increasing your tolerance to extreme temperatures, palpable boredom, or simple distraction. Allowing yourself to simply enjoy the present moment, even if your competitive days of ripping down the mountain are decades behind you. The key takeaway is less: in every outdoor recreational pursuit, find a metric that you feel you may have grown complacent within and attack it head on. Reach for that extra mile. Tackle that daunting trail. Shoot at a few extra targets. Leave the phone on airplane mode. Find joy in the present. Achieve your full outdoor potential. 3. EMBRACE - AND EMBODY - YOUR ENVIRONMENT "It's not the first thing you think if you go to L.A. . . . Here, it's harsh winters, right, auto industry, blue collar, things aren't always easy. I just think that's what we're about. You want something the city can be proud of. You can look at those (players) and say, 'I can back that guy. I can back that team. I can resonate with that group of guys." Head Coach Dan Campbell, January 21, 2024 "Why Expedition Detroit?" - with a heavy, exaggerated, and often condescending emphasis on "Detroit." If I had a nickel for every time that I've heard that question over the last two years, well, I'd be doing exactly this but with an additional lucrative income stream. I have never given the same answer twice to this question. Beyond the Detroit region simply being "home," there are countless reasons to focus on exploring, promoting, and advocating for our area's outdoor ecosystem and economy. The destinations constituting our Federal, state, county, and Metroparks are immaculate. Our burgeoning trail system is innovative and community-driven. Our open green spaces are sustainable and award-winning. We are positioned to be North America's trails capital by the end of next year. As the cherry on top, we also have a broad range of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, large corporations, and small businesses banding together to work towards a collaborative, dynamic, and inconclusive regional outdoor industry. But here's the crux of all of these efforts: if our industry and ecosystem do not align with realities of our natural environment - and the recreationists within them - then all of the goodwill and energy surrounding our trajectory will be lost. Like this year's Detroit Lions, the outdoor community needs to cater towards our Great Lakes environment and residents in a way that invigorates zealous loyalty and engagement. In MCDC's words, "we want something the city can be proud of." We do not have the glitzy ski towns, dramatic mountains, and hundreds of thousands of acres of protected parkland that the western states boast. We also do not have the tropical climate that beckons far too many Michiganders this time of year. Those are both positive attributes of our region, because what we have is an environment perfectly suited for the intrepid outdoorists that we are. A four season climate enriched with old growth forests, vibrant rivers, panoramic trails, running rapids, and great lakes. Opportunities for solitude in the midst of a heavily-populated urban area. Thousands of acres of reclaimed green space within one of America's largest cities. An unmatched opportunity for international recreation. Most importantly, we have a hard-nosed population - inclusive of every demographic - that's fiercely proud of our region. This gritty bulwark has demonstrated on a generational scale that it will work tirelessly to make our outdoors the best that we can. Long gone are the days of thoughtless urbanization in the name of industrialization. Now, our region's environmental focus solely sets on prioritizing conservation, preservation, and expansion of outdoor opportunities. Detroit built the American industrial dream; now, we can rebuild the outdoor state. What a time to be both a Detroit Lions fan and an outdoor enthusiast here. 4. AIM FOR WORLD-CLASS STANDARDS "Every team should want to go to the Super Bowl every year . . . I think we're positioned much better to swing with the big boys this year. Now I can't tell ya what that means in win totals, but that is the goal, man. We've got to go get this division." Head Coach Dan Campbell, March 28, 2023 From the moment that the 2022 season ended, the professional football world knew that this year's Detroit Lions were on a mission. In 2023, Dan Campbell's troops would do everything in their power to not leave their playoff hopes to the outcomes of several different coinciding games. Another iteration, albeit an improved one, of the "leave it to chance," S.O.L. mentality. No - in 2023, this team's playoffs destiny would rest solely in their hands. And there was no safer way to lock that fate in than by "swinging with the big boys,"playing at a world-class standard, and winning the NFC North Division title for the first time since 1993. The Detroit Lions had every excuse not to hold themselves to such a high standard. A culture of losing had practically instilled a core belief that, regardless of the altruistic values that Sheila Hamp, Brad Holmes, and Dan Campbell might hold, the team would ultimately regress to their mean of mediocrity. Add in a young starting core, barely cracking .500 the previous season, and veterans lurking throughout the NFC North, Campbell's stated goal of winning the division sounded nearly as fanciful as his (in)famous "biting kneecaps" speech. And yet...look at what his team did. Beyond comfortably accomplishing the divisional championship goal, this team earned - and won - TWO home playoff games, the first since 1991. The Detroit Lions nearly punched their ticket to the Super Bowl. Not to play the "what if" game, but if one or two mere bounces would've went a different way during last week's game...we could've actually been within striking distance of beating Kansas City for a second time this season and cementing our place in football immortality. Here's the takeaway: if our professional football team can set AND accomplish world-class standards, then we as an outdoor community should follow suit and not settle for anything less. What does that mean exactly? For us at Expedition Detroit, it means continuing to build and maintain award-winning outdoor spaces that enrich lives - yes, for both wildlife and recreationists. The incredible work that organizations like the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy has already accomplished along the Riverwalk, Dequindre Cut, and Southwest Greenway are prototypical examples of the world-class standard that we as a community are aiming for. The forthcoming Joe Louis Greenway, Iron Belle Trail, and Gordie Howe International Bridge provide further examples of cutting-edge trail infrastructure projects that are fundamentally redefining what it means to live and recreate in the Detroit region. Like our football team, Detroit as an outdoor destination has been overlooked and written off by the outdoor community for far too long. Just as every Detroiter has an inherent and hard-nosed belief that the Lions will earn a Super Bowl berth, we need to maintain the similar expectations of our outdoor spaces. An unwavering commitment to continue protecting the wild and beautiful, while simultaneously refurbishing and repurposing the neglected and forgotten. In both scenarios, those core principles start with believing that we as a region are worthy and capable of reaching world-class standards - and then turning that belief into action. 5. ALWAYS COME BACK STRONGER "We're gonna kick you in the teeth, and when you punch us back we're gonna smile at you, and when you knock us down we're going to get up, and on the way, we're going to bite a kneecap off. We're going to stand up, and it's going to take two more shots to knock us down. And on the way up, we're going to take your other kneecap, and we're going to get up, and it's gonna take three shots to get us down. And when we do, we're gonna take another hunk out of you." Head Coach Dan Campbell, introductory press conference, January 21, 2021 "We will be back, I promise." WR Amon Ra St. Brown, January 31, 2024 This...this is the most difficult takeaway from this historic season. One where success isn't guaranteed. An unshakeable belief that requires blind faith and a diligent work ethic. Discipline in the place of celebration; a blank check written out to more hard work instead of a ticker-tape victory parade. The first quote, reprinted here in all of its unmitigated glory, comes from Coach Campbell on day 1, week 1 at the helm. He inherited a team with a losing culture - the "Same Old Lions" mentality where you gave up late leads, caved into pressure, set "realistic" expectations, and sorely lacked the grit and tenacity necessary to carry a team through the regular season slugfest. So, Coach Campbell did what all great leaders do: He set the tone. He established the expectation. He publicly declared that the culture of his Detroit Lions - the "Brand New Lions" - would play hard to the final whistle. Quitting would never, ever be an option. The rest is now history. During Year 1 of Campbell's reign, the Detroit Lions went 3-13-1. Year 2 started with similar concerns, but the team turned a corner midseason to finish 9-8 and just outside of a playoff berth. And then, there was this season: a historic 12-5 (really 13-4, IYKYK), the NFC North Division title, and THREE POINTS away from clinching the conference and punching a first ticket to the Super Bowl. Now the Lions are facing their most difficult task yet: to outperform three years of consistent progress. To get back up after the most gut-wrenching loss in the franchise's living memory. To fill that remaining space on the "NFC Champions" banner. To truly cement their place in history by finally accomplishing an unfulfilled Detroit dream for over 55 years: playing in the Super Bowl. If there's one shared experience that unites all outdoor recreationists - scratch that, all humans - it's failure. Complete, objective failure. The days on end that I've spent in the woods, only to blow that one singular opportunity at a buck when it finally presents itself. Picking out the perfect backcountry line, only to lean too hard into your ski's edge and tumble halfway down the mountain. The scar tissue on my arms from unanticipated rocks while mountain biking. Freezing nights in my tent that could've been avoided with proper planning. I have a tradition for whenever I "fail" in the outdoors. It works best with "fast failures" like falling while skiing or biking, but it works with "long failures" too. As soon as I get back on my feet and confirm that I don't require emergency medical equipment, I audibly say "Best Day Ever!" I try and say that as close to the "moment of failure" as I can. And then, if possible, I immediately try to succeed in the act that I just failed attempting (e.g., getting back into the stand after discovering a clean arrow or hiking back up the hill to reattempt the line). By publicly proclaiming "Best Day Ever," my goal is to immediately put my mindset back into the place of a champion vs. victim. Far too many accomplished outdoor athletes and enthusiasts cave in to their fear of failure as soon as they experience a bad fall, rough night in the woods, poorly-inflated kayak, or shut-out deer season. As I recently shared with a friend while teaching him how to ski, falling and its inherent feeling of failure are integral components of the learning process. Here's some truth for this overcast Monday: you, dear reader, are going to fall. You're going to fail. You're not always going to have an amazing time. And that's exactly what makes outdoor recreation - and life - so beautiful. The wins are never guaranteed. A perfect day on the trail can be immediately followed by a relentless downpour. You will celebrate and suffer, laugh and cry, reach peaks of strength and valleys of recovery. C'est la vie. So, here's the final takeaway from this Detroit Lions season: don't focus solely on trying to avoid failure, because failure is an integral part of the human existence. Focus on coming back stronger, regardless of your genre of failure. Rigorously analyze, learn from, and capitalize on every failed experience. Systematically improve every step of the process that may have led to such failure. Never give into the temptation that the integrity of your hard work - the blood, sweat, and tears that only you know exists - will never pay off. In the words of Sir Winston Churchill, "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense." Or, as more succinctly put by Amon Ra St. Brown, "We will be back, I promise." Always come back stronger. And bite a knee cap off while you're at it.

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition explores the towering pines, vast meadows, and glistening snow-covered vistas of Island Lake State Recreation Area's Hickory Ridge Trail! Join us as we capitalize on the Detroit region's first snowfall by exploring Island Lake's most accessible - and possibly most beautiful - trail. Let's start with a polarizing confession: I am a "Thanksgiving believer." That means that I absolutely refuse to engage with the connotation of "Christmas" until that extra plate of turkey has reached its final destination, a post-meal nap has concluded, and a Detroit Lions loss has adequately been mourned. I try not to take hard stances on trivial matters, but I will absolutely die on the hill of delaying any Christmas activities until Black Friday at the earliest. I may or may not have lost relationships over this belief. Where did that irrational stance originate? Right here in the Detroit region's outdoors. Growing up as a Michigan transplant to Washington, D.C., my family always made the pilgrimage back to Metro Detroit on the Wednesday prior to Thanksgiving. That 8 hour drive from the Mid-Atlantic to the Great Lakes struck my impressionable mind as a seasonal rite of passage: the gradual shift of fall into winter, with one final autumnal act to go before the great jovial wave of Christmas cheer covered all. Don't get me wrong - I absolutely love winter (and Christmas, I swear I'm not the Grinch). In fact, a large part of why I vividly recall that episodic childhood experience involves the Thanksgiving weekend snowfall that always seemed to arrive in step with our family minivan. For a D.C. kid, venturing out into the snow-covered expanses of the parks near my cousins' homes felt like journeying into the frontier of the "Great White North." An adventurous expedition from fall into winter. And yes, an internalized sensation that winter recreation - in all of its varieties - starts after Thanksgiving. Fast forward a few decades, I'm making fresh tracks during yet another Thanksgiving weekend snowfall along the beach at Kent Lake. The crisp air, crunch sensation of fresh snow, and ethereal silence of the iced-over waves confirm that winter has finally arrived in Detroit. As the snow rapidly accumulates around me, a familiar childlike instinct starts compelling me to go explore. "Genius is no more than childhood recaptured at will." That quote from 19th century poet Charles Baudelaire has inspired, both implicitly and directly, most of the growth of the Expedition Detroit platform. This winter, we invite you to join us on rediscovering your childlike genius along Detroit's stunning, snow-covered trails. Especially when those trails are as diverse, picturesque, and accessible as Island Lake State Recreation Area's Hickory Ridge Trail. MEET ISLAND LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA If Yellowstone National Park is widely considered the "Grandfather of the National Parks," then Island Lake State Recreation Area is undoubtedly the "Grandaddy of the Detroit Region's Parks." This designation goes far beyond the park's size, location, and recreational capacity. The history of Island Lake is objectively fascinating. Traveling back to eastern Livingston County of the 1800s, most of the area had been purchased by livestock and grain producing farmers. However, along the sandy beaches just south of Kent Lake, the Federal government had ordained a small portion of the growing county with a very distinct purpose. The U.S. army utilized this area as for summer encampments and training for its soldiers, including Michigan regiments shipping overseas in 1898 for the Spanish American War. Following its military use, the park also briefly hosted a boys' academy before its purchase in 1922 by Dodge Motor Company. Similar to several other areas in Livingston and Oakland Counties, the Dodge Motor Company decided to donate the area surrounding Island Lake and nine other distinct recreation areas to the State of Michigan. Island Lake was the first and one of the larger parcels to be donated, therefore earning the designation "Dodge Park #1" between 1923 through 1943 - the Detroit region's first state park. Due to the increased interest in the Detroit region's park system and corresponding conservation acquisitions made by the state during those two decades, the Michigan Department of Conservation formally reopened the park as Island Lake State Recreation Area in 1944, including an acquisition of 1,868 additional acres. In 2023, Island Lake preserves more than 4,000 acres along the banks of the Huron River. The park has retained its popularity over the past 80 years through its accessibility from I-96 and plethora of recreational activities. The park represents a world-class destination for mountain biking, paddling, hiking, swimming, triathlon training, picnicking, hunting, fishing, trapping, and target shooting. Despite its improvements over the years, Island Lake has excelled in maintaining a backcountry and natural feel, featuring four inland lakes and a mixture of open brush, mature hardwood forest, pockets of open meadows, and its famous "Badlands" region that belongs more in the Dakotas or Colorado than southeast Michigan. With a lifetime of recreational activities, Island Lake has the potential to overwhelm its visitors. We get it, and that's where this article comes in handy. Again, if you only have time to visit one outdoor destination in the Detroit region, then you should visit Island Lake. And, if you're itching to start your winter trail while at Island Lake, then there's no closer trailhead to the main Kent Lake entrance than the Hickory Ridge Trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 5.1 miles Elevation Gain: 173 feet Trail Rating: Easy Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Parking available at the main Kent Lake trailhead; Michigan Recreation Passport required for entry to Island Lake State Recreation Area Stepping out at Kent Lake is always a sight for travel-weary eyes. In the warmer months, you'll be greeted by whistling birds, budding trees, or hordes of beachgoers sunbathing, swimming, or paddling in the gentle waves. The crowds thin in the fall, but the brilliant leaves still welcome you to one of the Detroit region's most iconic trailheads. The colder months hit a little different though. The vacated picnic tables, complete absence of sand, and icy waters of Kent Lake evidence that peak tourist season has indeed closed for the season. A cold gust of wind to the face further demonstrates that winter has come. There may even be another car in the parking lot - a far cry from the frequent parking space battles accustomed to July. My intrepid friends: these are all signs that you are exactly where you should be for your wintry expedition on the Hickory Ridge Trail. Especially after fresh snowfall, you are all but guaranteed to make first tracks on the trail, spot undisturbed wildlife meandering right off of the trail, and experience the masterfully-healing solitude of winter recreation. Before starting on the trail, however, remember to take extra precautions prior to setting off into Island Lake's winter wonderland. Make sure to download a comprehensive trail map via AllTrails+ prior to embarking down the trailhead. Dress in layers and pack in any extra gear that you might need for hiking during the darker months of daylight savings time. Always remember to pack water within an insulated container that will prevent it from freezing. Once you've verified your kit, head towards the western edge of the beach for the trailhead marked with an "A." Your adventure will conveniently track the alphabet. The first 1.1 miles consists of a forested oscillating trail running parallel to the Huron River. On a clear winter's day, this segment of the trail will provide unbeatable views of the river and its non-migratory wildlife perched or grazing along its banks. Unfortunately, this segment is also situated directly south of Island Lake's shooting range. Don't worry, the gun shots will quickly fade to the point of blissful silence as you continue down the trail, but you may wish to bypass this section of the Hickory Ridge Trail if hiking with any noise-sensitive companions. Yes, that includes our four-legged pals. As this section gradually ascends towards Kent Lake Beach Rd., your river views will be pleasantly supplemented by towering pines and other hardwood trees. Densely forested sections of trail like this are enjoyable in every season, but there's something undeniably special about massive pine trees covered with fresh snow. The "Narnia" comparisons are endless, especially if you're fortunate enough to solo hike this mesmerizingly beautiful section in the snow. After crossing Kent Lake Beach Rd., follow the unmissable "HIKING TRAIL" directions into the 1.3 mile segment that we dubbed "The Meadows." While every Detroit region state park contains unique experiences for outdoor enthusiasts, the Expedition Detroit team's favorite aspect of Island Lake involves its vast range of topography, landscapes, and habitats. As you ascend into The Meadows, you'll immediately be struck by the stark departure from the dense forest that you just spent the previous mile hiking under. The Meadows consists of far-reaching vistas of the disparate "oak savanna" grasslands that uniquely decorate the Detroit region's natural environment. You will trek this this meadowed grassland directly towards - and around - Trout Lake. Note that there is a "short cut" route that eliminates the Hickory Ridge Trail's circumnavigation of Trout Lake, but we strongly suggest that you do not deviate from the longer route unless necessity requires such deviation. Plus, you'll miss the several offshoot opportunities to venture down to the lake. As you pass back into another heavily-forested section of the trail at the 2.5 mile marker, please be aware the you are entering an area that is very popular with hunters - especially during firearm season. While on my winter hike last weekend, the only other trail users that I came across were two hunters heading into the woods for their afternoon sit. There was also a pop-up blind located in a field at the 2.6 mile marker and plenty of deer sightings to validate their decision to hunt that evening. This part of the trail is stunning - the density of the snow-covered trees truly creates an other-worldly experience. The sensation of solitude despite your proximity to the park's boundary. However, you're probably not alone this time of year, so it's incredibly important to review our "Tips for Recreation During Hunting Season" included below. As we've recently covered, hunting is immensely important for the sustainability of the Detroit region's outdoor industry. Hikers and hunters alike deserve the equal opportunity to recreate in our shared outdoor spaces. Better yet, both groups can do so safely by following a few simple best practices. Hickory Ridge Trail sign "F" starts to mark your return to civilization. Beyond crossing the paved Huron Valley Trail, your undisclosed proximity to I-96 will become apparent as the vehicular noise reverberates over Kent Lake. Trust us, you won't mind at all. In fact, in our humble opinion, the Hickory Ridge Trail saves its best features for last as you descend the boardwalked stairs towards the vastness of Kent Lake. After taking a few minutes to enjoy the boardwalk platform's vistas, your trail concludes with a 0.8 mile highlight reel of Kent Lake's southern shoreline. Trail runners will especially enjoy this segment, which features sharp turns, ascents, and descents. Slower-paced hikers will equally enjoy how the trail meanders along the shoreline, including multiple beach opportunities to break from the trail and visit the waterfront. The Hickory Ridge Trail ends right back where it started: a long promenade along Kent Lake Beach. From here, the choice is yours whether to make snow angels over the sand, dare to take a polar plunge, or B line it back to your car. TIPS FOR RECREATION DURING HUNTING SEASON In light of the arrival of firearm hunting season, here are seven Expedition Detroit tips for avoiding hiker-hunter conflicts across our region's most beloved outdoor destinations: 1. REVIEW LOCAL REGULATIONS. Regardless of whether you're hiking or hunting, do your homework before hitting the trail on whether hunting is permitted along your route. As a general guideline, Michigan's "State Recreation Areas" permit hunting unless stated otherwise; conversely, Michigan's "State Parks" prohibit hunting unless stated otherwise. 2. WEAR BRIGHT ORANGE. While "hunter orange" is required for hunters during certain firearm seasons, we strongly advise both hunters and hikers to wear at least one article of orange clothing on public land trails between September 15th and January 31st ("Hunting Season"). Aside from regulatory requirements, wearing orange promotes both safety and awareness along our shared trails. 3. MIND YOUR PETS. This one goes out directly to hikers along hunting-permitted trails that enjoy trekking with your four-legged best friend. Hikers should keep their dogs on-leash throughout Hunting Season. Dogs should also be outfitted with hunting orange attire (leashes or vests). 4. LEAVE ANY AGENDA AT THE TRAILHEAD. While we all have our own particular ethics, morals, politics, or other heartfelt leanings, the only mindset that each of us should be packing into the woods is a spirit of enjoyment, rejuvenation, exploration, and lawful recreation. Hunters, this means recognizing the responsibility that accommodates the joy of ethical hunting. Hikers, this means recognizing that hunters have the right to lawfully pursue their chosen recreational activity. Both groups should remember that both poaching and hunter harassment are actionable offenses under Michigan state law. If you suspect that the actions of either a hiker or hunter have violated Michigan state law, DO NOT ESCALATE the situation by attempting to confront the suspected person. Instead, contact the DNR's law enforcement's communications center via 800-292-7800. 5. MIND THE TRAIL. Trail awareness for both hikers and hunters is very, very important during Hunting Season. For hikers, the ask is quite direct: STAY ON TRAIL. Other than aligning with "Leave No Trace" best practices, keeping to the trail will minimize your likelihood of interacting with hunters in the field. For hunters, we advise that you setup at least 100-150 yards from any maintained trails. Beyond minimizing the likelihood of interacting with other hunters and trail users during your hunt, this is also a best practice for safety during especially firearm season. 6. MAXIMIZE YOUR RECREATION WINDOWS. Popular hiking and hunting windows do not inherently need to overlap during Hunting Season. Although hunters can technically head into the woods at any time with daylight, the "peak hunting hours" are typically 3 hours after sunrise and 3 hours before sunset (i.e., complete darkness). The hunting windows do fluctuate with changes in daylight, although planning to recreate as close to mid-day as possible would be a non-hunter's best bet for diminishing the likelihood of seeing a hunter along the trail. Also, don't forget about headlamp hiking and the perks of nighttime recreation, which by law are 100% void of any hunters. 7. SMILE. This might be the single most important - and simplest - item on this list. In fact, this point was brought up during the 2023 Michigan Outdoor Summit as a key action step towards making Michigan's outdoors a more welcoming, sustainable, and economically viable space. If you see someone on the trail that looks different than you, is engaging in a different recreational activity than you, or appears either intimidated or disgruntled by you - just smile at them. Let's go even further and say "Hi!" to them. Beyond humanizing your shared experience and introducing a second or two of kindness into their day, this simple act is the best way to prevent any sort of contentious situation from arising. Plus, smiling requires less effort than frowning. BOOK A GUIDED HIKE OF ISLAND LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT! The #TrailTuesday Series idea started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast network. One of our main goals for this platform is to produce content that reflects the outdoor interests and desires of our community, so please continue to provide us with your suggestions via our contact form or here in the comments! This article contains sponsored links.

Now that Arctic temperatures have retreated north, the Detroit region is in peak condition for winter camping expeditions! Here is our #ExpeditionEssentials guide to the best gear, destinations, and best practices for your next winter camping adventure near Detroit. "Ah, so this most qualify as 'snowing' out here." I said those words mockingly as flurries started to drift down from the overcast skies at Grand Canyon National Park. It was early March in northern Arizona, and my buddies and I had just spent a full, mostly warm day exploring the South Rim. None of us knew if yet, but that trip would be the first of countless "squad camping trips" that would bind us together despite a decade of significant life changes. We also didn't know that we were about to experience winter camping. Calorie-burning, bone-chilling, and immensely humbling winter camping. The type of experience that makes you question your entire being: your passions, grit, ambitions, experiences. Every decision that led you to this exact moment, shivering in a tent, in the desert, in 19ºF whiteout conditions. If you're reading these words, then you know that at least I survived that harrowing night (yes, we all did). That night - and the two nights that followed - all qualified as "sufferfests" where Mother Nature unsparingly taught us not to underestimate her power. We arrived at that campground thinking that our northern acclimation would carry us through off-season temperature swings. We were gravely mistaken, and paid for it in lost sleep. Dear reader, here's the good news: our sad story does not need to be repeated. In fact, the whole introduction to this article could've been largely omitted if we would've done the slightest amount of research into winter camping. I would've recognized immediately that my base layers, sleeping pad, and sleeping bag were all inadequate for the conditions that I was heading into. Even my trail shoes could barely handle the icy conditions near the Grand Canyon's rim. As our research has proven, winter camping can represent a fun, rejuvenating, and crowd-less means of experiencing the Detroit region's trails in the "offseason." That being said, trekking out to a backcountry campsite in January vs. July simply requires more prep work. From gear selection to route preparation, colder temperatures mean extra decisions - but very, very important ones to make. This article is your cheatsheet to preparing for your next winter camping venture near Detroit. The exact article that I wish had existed before shivering through three sleepless nights in the desert. The type of resource that the Expedition Detroit team hopes will fuel your intrepid adventures all year long. Winter Camping Essentials Let's start with the obvious: this article is intended for anyone interested in winter camping in the Detroit region. What that means is that we will not venture into the extreme mountainous or polar genre of winter gear that 99.9% of winter camping articles tend to cover. Crampons, avalanche beacons, shovels, ice axes, and other extreme winter survival gear will be omitted here. Stated differently, if you are looking to thru-hike the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail or Potawatomi Trail this winter, then you're at the right place. If you're preparing to camp in the Cascades next month, well, you might want to do a little more research beyond this article. Shelter: Building your Winter Base Camp If you're a fan of any survival reality show like "Alone," then you're already familiar with the four basic pillars of a wilderness survival scenario: water, shelter, fire, and food. While either bringing or obtaining potable water reigns supreme as the key survival element, the second most important - shelter - rises to a very close second when winter camping. Even if you're just car camping for the night, picking the right shelter area, packing the right tent, and bringing the right sleep system will determine whether you sleep or shiver. Purposefully selecting and preparing your shelter area is a critical first step towards an incredible winter camping experience. Start by picking a location that sheltered from the wind and protected from potential hazards like falling tree limbs. You should also consider whether your tent will have direct sunlight access coming from the east so that your morning will be as warm as possible. Last, prep the actual location for your tent by packing down the snow so that any loose snow won't melt from your body heat. Tent Specifics Contrary to most winter camping articles on the web, Detroit region campers most likely do not need a "Four Season Tent" in order to embark on offseason camping adventures. Even with Detroit's harsh winters, a typical "Three Season Tent" should work fine unless the forecast calls for unusually high levels of wind or snowfall. In general, Four Season Tents come with sturdier poles and heavier fabrics than their Three Season counterparts. While those beefed up features add weights, they are much better suited to withstand powerful gusts of wind and heavy snow loads. Four Season Tents also have less mesh (i.e., more insulation) and the rainflys extend close to the ground to keep swirling snow from getting inside. Sleep System When it comes to winter camping, your sleep system is just as valuable as your shelter. Actually, we may argue that it's even more valuable. For me personally, I've spent far too many sleepless nights in offseason conditions due to poor insulation, unreliable mattresses, and simple lack of knowledge concerning adequate sleeping gear. Please - don't be me. Educate yourself on proper sleep system selection and maintenance. Pack the right gear for the conditions. Your reward will be a blissful night's rest in the backcountry, which is worth its weight in gold. Let's start with the choice of sleeping bag. For winter camping, you should always err on the side of being too warm for the projected conditions. My cold weather bag is rated to 10ºF, which I use anytime the nighttime lows are expected to dip under 45ºF. You can also add insulation to your sleeping bag by using a sleeping bag liner to add 15ºF of warmth to a 3-season sleeping bag. Another lesson that I learned far too late in my backpacking career is proper sleeping bag storage. A cold weather sleeping bag should NEVER be stored long-term in a stuff sack or similar compression bag. While stuff sacks are lifesavers for maximizing space while backpacking, subjecting your sleeping bag to extended compression while have devastating effects on the longevity of its insulation. Instead, loosely roll up your bag for storage after letting it air out post-trip. For your sleeping pad, the two key components are essential insulation and cushioning. If you expect to camp on top of compressed snow, then most experts advise utilizing two pads to keep from losing body heat. More specifically, it's recommended that you use a closed-cell foam pad directly next to the ground and a self-inflating pad on top of that. You should also utilize sleeping pads that have an R-value of 4.0 or higher for winter camping (higher R-value means better insulation). Staying Warm: Layered Clothing As the famous Norwegian saying goes, "There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing." For winter weather, you should always dress in layers, especially for the cooler-to-freezing temperatures that fluctuate in the Detroit region during the winter. Here's a refresher on layering: Base Layer ("underwear layer"): Arguably the most important layer; the goal is to wick sweat off your skin. For winter camping, midweight long underwear is a good choice for all-around use. Lightweight is best for mild conditions and heavyweight for below-freezing temps. Look for fabrics like polyester or wool that wick perspiration away from your skin and dry quickly. Middle Layer ("insulating layer"): Should retain body heat to protect you from the cold. In general, thicker/puffier equals warmer. For your upper body, most winter campers prefer a puffy down or synthetic insulated jacket. If you prefer fleece, make sure your jacket is heavyweight fleece. For your legs, fleece pants or heavyweight long underwear are good options, Outer Layer ("shell layer"): Largely weather-dependent; shields you from wind and rain and provides extra insulation. In winter, it is important to have a fully waterproof jacket and pants rather than merely water resistant. However, these also need to be breathable so that perspiration wicked away by your base layer can escape. You should also add in a few "accessory items" to your winter clothing kit. These include a basic wool or synthetic beanie, insulated gloves with waterproof/breathable shells, glasses or googles, and non-cotton socks. With regard to socks, extra-thick pairs will not keep your feet warm if your boots become too tight. Fuel Up: Best Camp Stove Options If you've ever spent a cold night in a tent, then you hopefully know the life-giving sensation of waking up to a hot mug of camp coffee. Easy to use camp stoves like those produced by JetBoil are a must-have in the backcountry, although "canister stoves" without pressure regulators cab depressurize in extremely cold temperatures, resulting in a weaker flame. Fortunately, cook systems like those produced by JetBoil feature pressure regulators on top of their lightweight, compact, and user-friendly technical aspects. Another camp stove option includes "liquid-fuel stoves." These stoves run on white gas, which burns hot and clean and performs well in below-freezing temperatures. But, they tend to be heavier and slower to boil than canister stoves, and you typically have to prime them before you can cook. The Best Winter Camping Destinations Now that you're fully-outfitted for your next winter camping adventure, let's zero in on the best winter camping destinations near Detroit. While our region is blessed with several beautiful and unique campgrounds, most of the Detroit region's camping destinations shutter for the offseason right around when hunting season kicks off. For general camping considerations, that's a huge bummer. On the other hand, for those of us interested in winter camping - the expeditious, intrepid audience that inspires the Expedition Detroit team every day - that reality amounts to a massive blessing. The complete absence of fair weather campers means that our region's most secluded backcountry campsites will be free for the taking by those willing to venture out and seize them. Even popular campgrounds that are booked solid May through September will be readily reservable during winter. If you're looking for blissful solitude this offseason, then here are the Detroit region's top four winter camping destinations waiting for you: 1. Blind Lake Campground |  Pinckney State Recreation Area | Pinckney, MI The top winter camping destination is without a doubt Pinckney State Recreation Area's Blind Lake Campground. Conveniently located along the Detroit region's first thru-hiking trail, the Potawatomi Trail, this campground is a hike or bike-in only destination that features 10 highly sought-after campsites. Site 3 is Blind Lake's most desired site due to its location along a wooded rise overlooking Blind Lake. Recommended Trail: Potawatomi Trail 2. Pines Campground |  Waterloo State Recreation Area | Chelsea, MI Thru-hikers of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail are already very familiar with the wooded refuge of Waterloo's Pines Campground. However, even campers looking for a more manageable overnight backpacking experience can enjoy a night under the pines without committing to a ~40 mile adventure via the Grass Lake Trail. Setting out from the Glenn Road trailhead and following the Grass Lake Trail counter-clockwise, you will reach the Pines Campground at mile marker 8.5. Recommended Trail: Grass Lake Trail 3. Bishop Lake Campground  |  Brighton State Recreation Area | Brighton, MI While Brighton State Recreation Area's Bishop Lake Campground does not provide the backcountry experience of the above destinations, the campground more than makes up for that with other natural amenities. First, you will be camping just a stone's throw away from the famous Penosha Trail - one of the top day-hiking destinations throughout the entire State of Michigan. You will also be within striking distance of Brighton's tasty mountain biking trails, one of the three "Black Diamond"-rated trail systems in the Detroit region. Last - if you're daring enough - the frigid waters of Bishop Lake will invite you to take a cold plunge to rejuvenate your body and mind. Recommended Trail: Penosha Trail 4. Portage Lake Campground  |   Waterloo State Recreation Area |  Chelsea, MI Last but certainly not least, a stay at Waterloo's Portage Lake Campground provides the perfect gateway to an unforgettable winter adventure. Scenic Portage Lake represents much more than a picturesque modern campground along the banks of stunning Portage Lake. The trailhead located just north of the campground also provides the primary starting point for the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail - Detroit's preeminent backpacking trail that does remain accessible and conquerable throughout the winter months. Recommended Trail: Waterloo-Pinckney Trail Quick Safety Add-Ons Before signing off on this article, we wanted to close by sharing the following winter camping safety and best practices as prepared by the talented team at REI. Each of these best practices are key not only for enjoying your time camping under the wintry stars, but also mitigating your exposure to serious health risks like frostbite and hypothermia: STAY WARM, DON'T GET WARM. By dressing appropriately, you can maintain a comfortable temperature, which is much simpler than trying to warm up after getting too cold. DON'T TRY TO TOUGH IT OUT. If you feel your fingers or toes getting cold, stop and take the time to check on them and warm them up. Placing cold fingers in your armpits or cold toes on a partner’s warm stomach are good ways to warm up. Using hand warmer and toe warmer packets is also effective. EAT FOOD FOR WARMTH. Your body generates heat as it digests food, so if you’re feeling cold try eating some food. Before you go to bed, have a snack to keep your metabolism going and keep a candy bar nearby if you get cold in the middle of the night. MULTI-USE YOUR FOAM PAD. Use your foam sleeping pad to sit or stand on while you’re cooking. It helps you stay a little warmer and drier. FILL YOUR TENT'S FLOOR SPACE. A bunch of empty floor space inside your tent will make it hard to warm up the interior space. Bring your backpack and other gear inside (avoid sharp items that could rip your tent) and place it around you on the floor of your tent to act as insulation against the cold ground. LIGHT EXERCISE BEFORE BED. Crawling into your sleeping bag cold is a sure way to shiver all night long. Do 50 jumping jacks, jog in place, or run a quick lap around camp. When your heart is pumping and you’re feeling warm, get in your sleeping bag and zip it up tight. GO PEE WHEN NATURE CALLS. By emptying your bladder, your body will use a little less energy to stay warm. If the idea of getting out of your warm sleeping bag in the middle of the night seems unbearable, use a pee bottle. Women can use a pee funnel to go into the bottle. SLEEP IN CLEAN CLOTHES. Over time, body oils, sweat and dirt will rob your sleeping bag of its insulating power. Change into clean long underwear and socks for sleep. STOW YOUR WATER BOTTLE UPSIDE DOWN. Water freezes from the top down, so by stowing bottles upside down, the bottle tops are less likely to freeze shut. Just make sure your bottles lids are screwed on correctly and won’t leak. KEEP YOUR ELECTRONICS WARM. Cold temps can zap battery power. When not in use, stow things like your headlamp, cell phone, GPS and extra batteries in your sleeping bag or a jacket pocket close to your body. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources makes reserving any of these campgrounds effortless through their online booking platform. You can also reserve "glamping" winter camping options via their platform, including Waterloo's "Green Lake Yurt" and other rustic hut lodging destinations. Have fun and be safe out there, Detroit - we'll see you around the fire ring!

Just when any dreams of deep powder days had diminished to a fool's hope, January has delivered with over a foot of snow over the last week. Here's our breakdown of which winter trails activity is best suited for these wonderland conditions. Let's kick this off with an undeniable truth: winter is the most polarizing season. No, that's not a nod to the north and south poles existing in a state of perpetual, Narnia-like winter. Despite the abundant love that us Midwesterners have for living in our "four season climate," there's also a common joke that Florida is Michigan's "lower-er peninsula" due to the annual snowbird migration from our region. We've already covered this topic at length, but the mid-November to mid-March evaporation of recreationists on Michigan trails demonstrates just how cold-averse humans truly area. Then there's the other faction of outdoor enthusiasts - the "Winter Believers." The Expedition Detroit archetype of recreationist. One who hits the trail regardless of the conditions, seizing on an opportunity to fully experience our natural environment during heat, rain, sleet, darkness, and certainly the freezing cold. For this adventure seeker, each fresh layer of snow represents a blank canvas, a pristine trail just waiting to be explored. Who cares if its your favorite local out-and-back - that spotless blanket of powder represents a clean slate and fresh opportunity for first tracks, re-establishing you as the first trailblazer to embark on its route. That's why we love winter. Beyond the open trails, crisp air, and beauty of a snow-covered landscape, our coldest season provides daily opportunities for new recreational opportunities. Snow is the only natural phenomena that transforms your ability to engage with and explore terrain literally overnight. The powder dump that Mother Nature finally blessed us with over the past few days proves that theory in spectacular fashion. Winter Believers do tend to struggle with one decision in these powder conditions, however: what is the best way to experience our snow-covered trails? Should I bust out the snowshoes for the first time this season or lace up the hiking boots? Is this the season to finally give cross-country skiing a go? Which activity fits within my budget or fitness goals? We dive into each of these questions and more ahead as we breakdown a winter trail's three most popular winter recreational sports: snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snow hiking. SNOWSHOEING Best Conditions: Any quality snow; accumulation of at least 6 inches Equipment Required: Snow shoes and trekking poles Thrill Factor: 🤟🤟 Skill Factor: Minimal skill acquisition required. Cost Factor: 💵 💵 💵 ($100-250 for snow shoes and trekking poles) Why You Should Snowshoe As "long-time" Expedition Detroit readers know (and hopefully appreciate), we don't like to hide information behind the proverbial 8 ball in our articles. What I mean by that statement is that if we believe that a piece of equipment, trail, or advocacy cause is good or valuable to our readers, we declare that statement as straightforward as we can. The opposite is obviously true for any aspects of Detroit's outdoor ecosystem that we strongly disagree with. For the purposes of this article, snowshoeing will check almost every box as the best-suited winter recreational activity for the vast majority of readers. For starters, as long as the snow quantity - not quality - metric of at least 6 inches is hit, then you have the climate's green light for snowshoeing. Yes, that means even in icy, somewhat slushy, or very deep powder conditions, snowshoes will easily and efficiently guide you through the least hospitable of Great Lakes trail winter conditions. Snowshoeing also attracts most winter recreationists due to the minimal amount of equipment required, the relative affordability of that equipment, and the negligible amount of skill required for proficiency on snowshoes. Beyond obviously acquiring a sturdy pair of snowshoes, we strongly recommend acquiring multi-sport trekking poles for additional stability. Otherwise, always remember to dress appropriately for the conditions, but note that your body temperature will warm up dramatically as you engage the trail. You will burn noticeably more calories snowshoeing vs. hiking, especially given the additional weight on your feet. Opt Out of Snowshoeing There's really only two reasons why you may want to leave the snowshoes at home for wintry trail outing: (1) the snow accumulation is too low or (2) you are looking for an especially high or low-intensity workout experience. For snow accumulation, snowshoeing should be your default activity if there's more than 6 inches of powder on the ground; conversely, you will most likely have a miserable time on the trail if you're snowshoeing over 3 inches of light snow. Likewise, if you're looking for a high-intensity workout, complete with fast downhills and heart-thumping climbs, snowshoeing will leave you wanting in comparison to cross-country skiing. Hiking is on the other end of the spectrum - especially if you're only looking to ease into winter recreation with a leisurely stroll in low-snow conditions, lace up your trusted boots and leave the big ones in the closet. CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING Best Conditions: Groomed or maintained trails; accumulation of less than 3 inches Equipment Required: Cross-country or nordic skis, ski boots, poles; ski goggles also recommended Thrill Factor: 🤟🤟🤟 Skill Factor: Notable skill acquisition required for turning, stopping, balance, and maintaining momentum Cost Factor: 💵 💵 💵 💵 💵 ($350 - $1,000 for skis, boots, and poles) Why You Should Cross-Country Ski In one word, "Adrenaline." You should cross-country ski if you are looking to pack in as much adrenaline as you can into your winter trail experience, especially if you the wallet and determination to learn a new and intense sport. Let me pause by addressing the elephant in the article: yes, fellow downhill skiers and snowboarders, describing cross-country skiing as "adrenaline-inducing" and "intense" may have caused you to spit out your Red Bull. I had the same initial reaction when researching this article, but it turns out that cross-country skis get the heart pumping. As in a full-body, 700 calories per hour, continuous aerobic burn fest of a sport described famously as "the best cardiovascular exercise known." Cross-country skiing still provides some of the thrill of downhill, resort-style skiing, but the main draw of the sport is based less in the speed factor (cross-country skis have an average speed of 7-10 mph) and more in the versatility of terrain that you can traverse. All across southeast Michigan, state, community, and certain Huron-Clinton MetroParks offer a variety of maintained and natural trail options of cross-country skiers, ranging from beginner cross-country skiing courses to the untamed berms and hills of mountain biking trails. Put differently, cross-country skiing easily provides our most intrepid outdoor enthusiasts with access to thousands of miles of trail exploration during the winter months - trails that otherwise may not be accessible due to heavy equestrian, mountain biking, or general hiking use. Opt Out of Cross-Country Skiing Sorry, cross-country skiing advocates - you knew that this section was coming. There are unfortunately several reasonable reasons to opt out of a day spent burning trails (and calories) all over the Detroit region on your skis, some of which are entirely out of your control. To kick this downer topic off, cross-country skis are only effective in low-ish snow conditions - no more than 3 inches of powder, and ideally on groomed or well-trodded trails. Cross-country skis lack the width of their downhill or alpine touring cousins, and certainly snowshoes, thereby rendering them immensely ineffective in deep powder conditions. Second, cross-country skiing has two significant barriers to entry: cost and skill. Even though cross-country skiing equipment is significantly cheaper than downhill skiing equipment, a quick glance at its "Cost Factor" indicator compared to snowshoeing and hiking will illustrate that this is perhaps not the activity for the cost-conscious recreationist. Mobility on cross-country skis may also not come as naturally to most winter adventurers, especially when snowshoeing takes all of roughly 30 seconds to adjust to. If you feel like a newborn giraffe just learning to walk while on cross-country skis for the first time, then you're probably doing it right. The sport certainly has a learning curve, but it's extremely rewarding for those who persevere through the initial growing pains. Last, cross-country skiing provides a bona fide kick-ass workout. You will sweat. Your legs, lower back, and triceps will likely ache. Don't get us wrong, you will certainly grow to love this intensity of a workout experience if you stick with the sport, but if your idea of a blissful few hours spent in the woods doesn't involve a borderline-masochist calorie burn, then please opt for the hiking boots. SNOW HIKING Best Conditions: Fresh snow; accumulation of less than 6 inches Equipment Required: None other than waterproof hiking boots Thrill Factor: 🤟 Skill Factor: None - if you can walk, you can hike Cost Factor: 💵 💵 ($125-175 for waterproof hiking boots) Why You Should Snow Hike As many a wise person have said, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Hiking - which we are aptly dubbing "snow hiking" for the purposes of this article - fits squarely into that sage advice. Especially if you're a recreationist on a budget, looking for relaxed trail exploration, in relatively tame winter conditions. Snow hiking should always be your "snow trail" default recreational activity. Why? Well, if you're an avid consumer of our content, I'd be willing to bet that you already own a pair or two of sturdy, waterproof hiking boots. You may want to acquire snow spikes and trekking poles for icier conditions, but for an average winter day's trail conditions in the Detroit region, your normal hiking boots should be well-qualified for the trail. Standard hiking boots can also provide mobility advantages when compared to snowshoes in "cusp conditions" - let's say 5-7inches of snow accumulation. Especially after a fresh snowfall when a boot's ability to grip the terrain is enhanced, your feet will greatly benefit from the decreased weight and range of mobility of your hiking boots vs. snowshoes. Opt Out of Snow Hiking By this point in the article, you can probably guess when you shouldn't disturb your hiking boots' winter hibernation, opting in favor of your snowshoes or cross-country skis. We'll state the reasons here anyways, regardless of how obvious they may appear. To start with, if you're looking to recreate during a true powder day - 6+ inches of fresh snowfall, on top of whatever else may already have accumulated on the ground - then don't give your hiking boots (or cross-country skis) a second thought. Grab your snowshoes. Grab your trekking poles. Hit the trail knowing that you have undoubtedly selected the most efficient and enjoyable means of wintry trail recreation, because any alternative would result in agony-inducing muscular pain from your lower back to your calves. Even in low-snow conditions, the other reasons to select cross-country skiing over hiking involve the desired intensity of your trail experience. Simply put, hiking is undeniably underwhelming as an adventure activity when compared to cross-country skiing. On average, you will be traveling three times faster on cross-country skis than even an elevated hiking pace, thereby enhancing your capacity to cover more terrain via an exciting mode of transport. Similar to snowshoeing, you will also burn noticeably more calories cross-country skiing vs. hiking. What are your favorite snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or snow hiking trails? Do you have any special recommendations for beginners in any of these sports? Let us know in the comments!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Just like waking up to today's fresh snowfall, January provides a perfectly clean slate for pursuing your wildest outdoor goals for 2024. We're absolutely STOKED for all that this new year will bring for Detroit's outdoors, starting with these top 5 outdoor events near Detroit this month! There's something beautiful about waking up on the morning of January 1st. The past year's successes and failures are logged into the annals of history. We're all provided with a clean slate - a perfectly snow-covered trail of a calendar year, ready for you and your adventures to mark its first tracks. Even though January still falls within Detroit's "off-season" for outdoor recreation, we should all strive to continue with any momentum gained during the tail-end of 2023 and keep getting outside. In fact, we'd go so far as to argue that now is the single best season for recreating in Detroit's natural environment. The colder, darker days act as an antithesis to crowds, fair-weather adventurers, and other human elements that detract from an outdoor experience. In other words, if you're training for spring races, looking for natural solitude, or simply hate sharing the trail with the masses, then January is your time to shine. These top 5 events are geared towards recreationists just like you, and we can't wait to see you at one, two, or all of these events! 1. Defrost your Cross-Country Skis for Frosty Fest! 2024 January 13-14th  | Huron Meadows Metropark | 10 a.m. Full-disclosure, the Expedition Detroit team has had cross-country skiing on our recreational activity wishlist for some time now. In other words, we're complete rookies at this sport - despite decades of downhill skiing experience. We've been looking for an opportunity to dive head first into this sport, and this year's iteration of Frosty Fest! represents an ideal chance to start getting into the action! Located at Huron Meadows Metropark, Frosty Fest! will include a man-made snow course of multiple 2.4km loops. If natural snow permits, then the races will take place on the normal cross-country ski trails. The race offerings include 5K (MI Cup Junior points), 15K (MI Cup Senior points), and the "Krazy Klassic" 7K and 10K distances. Quick note on Huron Meadows Metropark: the metropark is dubbed the "Southeast Michigan destination for skate-style and classic cross-country ski trails." Skiers can choose from 14.8 miles of trails for classic skiing or 9 miles of skate skiing. All trails are groomed daily and are lighted at night. The metropark's "Ski Center" (Golf Starter Building) features classic-style and skate-style ski rentals and a heated lounge, restrooms, and snacks. Groups of 10 or more can make arrangements to rent skis during the week. 2. Embrace the Elements in the Ode to Snow Ultra Race January 20th  | Holly State Recreation Area | 9:20 a.m. Let's call a spade a spade: winter trail running in Michigan is not for the faint of heart. The cold temps, unpredictable conditions, and fleeting daylight has a cumulative effect of weeding out any recreationists that prefer their trails, clean, dry, and warm. The Detroit region's winter trails are the playground of our most passionate, badass, "no pain no gain" genre of runners. If you fit in that camp, then oh boy - do we have the event for you. Crazy trail runners, meet "Ode in the Snow": an up to 8 hour "backyard style" ultra trail race along the (in)famous Ode to Laz Trail Loop in Holly State Recreation Area. The trail constitutes a 4.167 mile trail loop that has approximately 450 feet of climbing, is 2/3 technical single track, 1/3 moderate walking/hiking path, and a few hundred yards of pavement. For the event, runners are free to pick their favorite distance or run as much as they'd like, starting at 9:20 a.m. Runners looking for shorter distances should join Wave 2 at 2:20 p.m. 3. Keep your Senses Sharp at a Winter Tracking Workshop January 20th | Kensington Metropark | 1 p.m. Contrary to popular belief, not all species of wildlife either migrate or hibernate during Detroit's colder months. In fact, the rangers at Kensington Metropark have nearly-perfected the art of tracking down our region's wintry wildlife during these colder, darker days of the year. The metropark is hosting an interactive Winter Tracking Workshop - including both indoor exhibitions and outdoor field tracking - through the park's beautiful nature trails in search of the park's wildlife, adaptive seasonal behaviors, and other interesting attributes regarding each animal's ability to survive Michigan's harsh winters. The hike will take participants through approximately 1 mile of trail on uneven terrain with possible snow coverage in search of fox, coyote, mink, and other wild animals. 4. Ditch your Skis at the Duct Tape Derby January 20th  | Mt. Brighton Ski Resort | 1 p.m. Mt. Brighton may be famous for its impressive slopes, but this month the resort invites us all to ditch our skis and boards for its annual Duct Tape Derby event! Participants are encouraged to design a vehicle or sled exclusively out of reused cardboard, duct tape, and paint to race down the hill. Spectators will not only enjoy the hilariously fun racing action, but also live music, giveaways, outdoor food and bar, and much more. For those charismatic souls interested in racing, note that spots are limited on a first come, first serve basis. Teams must be comprised of 2-3 racers, and no paint is permitted on the bottom of a sled. Register in advance by emailing your team name, participant names, and participant ages to MtBrightonInfo@vailresorts.com. 5. Cross-Country Ski Under Candlelight January 20th | Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area | 6:30 p.m. As we said - we're really excited about getting into cross-country skiing this season, and this illuminated trail event hosted by the DNR at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area provides the perfect opportunity for skiers of all abilities to hit the trail. Skiers will traverse a well-groomed trail through the park illuminated by candles at night. The event also includes a post-ski warm up by a roaring fire with refreshments. Snowshoes are also welcome to walk along side the groomed ski track as well. If there is a lack of snow, this will be a walking event. Note that cross-country skis and snowshoes will not be available to borrow or rent. BONUS: Capitalize on your New Year Resolutions with a Guided Trip with Expedition Detroit! All January | 11 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas In case you missed it, Expedition Detroit is currently offering a "NEW YEAR'S DEALS" special on ALL GUIDED TRIPS! That's right - only until January 31st, we are offering the following special offers geared towards anyone looking to #OptOutside more in 2024: 10% off of all pre-booked Snowshoe Treks with the code "SNOWDANCE24." Automatic "Book 2 Trips, Get 1 Free" special - applicable to all trip offerings. Free Expedition Detroit beanie for the FIRST 24 BOOKINGS OF THE YEAR ONLY. For anyone interested in our guided snowshoe treks, note that we offer no-risk reservation transfer options for any treks that are cancelled due to conditions. In other words, we guarantee that you will enjoy a world-class outdoor experience. The Expedition Detroit team is proud to represent the Michigan DNR's largest commercial provider of guided hikes, backpacking expeditions, and trail running coach across ELEVEN of the Detroit region's most pristine state parks and recreation areas. Each of our guides has the field experience, wilderness first aid training, park knowledge, and outdoor passion that you can - and should - expect from any world-class trail experience. P.S. Subscribers to our content get discounts on our Guided Trips AND online store items... Happy New Year to you all, and wishing you nothing but the best throughout 2024. We can’t wait to see you at the trailhead! Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.

Happy New Year, Detroit!! In light of the impending arrival of 2024, here are the Expedition Detroit team's top "outdoor New Year's resolutions," covering the most ambitious, exciting, and rewarding experiences that the Detroit region offers throughout the year - plus a SPECIAL NEW YEARS OFFER for our readers! I love the moment that midnight strikes on New Year's Eve. Yes, I agree that over-hyping the start of a new calendar year easily wades into the territory of cliché, idealistic, or even setting yourself up for disappointment literally from the get-go. And yes, "New Year's Resolutions" - self-improvement goals to be accomplished over the next year - are the manifestation of lofty ambitions made by quixotic daydreamers like myself. But here's the catch: I annually find myself entranced by the allurement of a fresh start. Like a skier ready to drop into a pristine powder run, or a paddler launching into perfectly still water. There's an inherent beauty to a new year, and if establishing a few ambitious resolutions provide the framework for plotting your course through 2024, then I'll gladly adopt the "cliché" or "basic" label. I'm far from being alone in looking forward to setting new goals for a new year. In fact, the outdoor New Year's Resolutions social trend is so widespread that there's a growing body of research regarding the science of accomplishing or failing to achieve such goals. The TL;DR summary of such research includes that successful outdoor New Year's Resolutions typically consist of the following characteristics: Specific or well-defined (e.g., "Run a half-marathon" vs. "Exercise more") Framed in positive, actionable terms (e.g., "Eat more broccoli" vs. "Stop eating Big Macs") Focused on the goal-setter's individualists interests (vs. societal, familial, or work-place expectations) Keeping these traits in mind, the Expedition Detroit team has curated this list of 10 specific, ambitious, actionable, and rewarding New Year's Resolutions to be accomplished over the next 12 months. Spoiler alert, each of these resolutions directly involve world-class experiences in the Detroit region's outdoors. But these aren't just any experiences - completing any of these goals could easily stand out as your "Outdoor Highlight of 2024." Oh, and as a little New Year's surprise, we've included a special offering below regarding our 2024 guided trips offerings..! Here are the top 10 outdoor New Year's resolutions that we will be striving for this year: 1. Ski or Ride the Big Four Resorts Mt. Brighton, Alpine Valley, Mt. Holly, and Pine Knob Ski Resorts | Skiing or riding down the slopes of each of Detroit's pristine "Big Four" ski resorts Don't let the recent spring weather fool you - each and every new year for us in Detroit begins in January, during the dead of winter, within a northern climate. Snow will return, hopefully sooner than later, and while our backcountry skiing aspirations will be on hold for a bit, Detroit's "Big Four" ski and snowboard resorts will be back in action in no time! In line with our recently updated article on the "Big Four" ski resorts, each of these resorts have special attributes that make them well worth a visit over the next few wintry months. Alpine Valley provides a full-service mountain within a stone's throw of the Detroit region's best hiking, paddling, and mountain biking destinations. Mt. Brighton has state-of-the-art facilities and direct connections to world-class ski resorts around the country. Mt. Holly provides skiers and riders with Up North-caliber vertical terrain. And Pine Knob packs the largest adrenaline punch for our resident terrain park junkies. Those are just the 30,000 ft. highlights; to get the full experience, take on all four mountains this season and rediscover your love for our local runs! Look for us on the chairlift. 2. Thru-Hike the Potawatomi Trail Pinckney State Recreation Area | Overnight backpacking trip along the Detroit region's oldest thru-hiking trail Last fall, we wrote a feature on the Detroit region's best trail for experiencing peak fall colors: the Crooked Lake Trail at Pinckney Recreation Area. While visiting the trail for that article's field research, we noticed an ornate plaque located just to the left of the trailhead, right beside a maple tree. We at Expedition Detroit are suckers for a good plaque, so naturally, we read it. Here are a few snippets: "In 1957, Boy Scouts of Michigan had to travel to other states for hiking trails. They solicited the State of Michigan to establish and construct a hiking trail in Lower Michigan. The POTAWATOMI TRAIL was formally approved in an agreement with the State of Michigan and the Portage Trail Council Boy Scout of America in early 1962. "The official opening of the trail was May 23, 1964. The original trail was about 12-14 miles and was extended over many years to the current trail system of 17.4 miles." As noted by the plaque, this year marks the 60th anniversary of the inauguration of the Potawatomi Trail - the Detroit region's first backpacking trail. In honor the living legacy of the trail, we plan on completing its overnight thru-hike at least once this year...maybe twice for winter and spring. Stay posted, and we hope that you will join us in celebrating the trail this year! Looking for a guided experience on a shorter trail? Explore Pinckney Recreation Area with Expedition Detroit throughout 2024! 3. Paddle the Entirety of the Huron River National Water Trail Proud Lake State Recreation Area to Lake Erie Metropark |  Multi-day canoe camping adventure along the Detroit Region's longest water trail Let's stay on the theme of thru-expeditions, shall we? We have already written extensively on the beauty of the Huron River - especially during peak fall colors - but the true blessing of the river is that it provides an endlessly flowing supply of recreational opportunities. Day paddles, fishing, wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, camping, or hunting along its banks. In spite of these incredible activities, we must give credit where credit's due and crown the most adventuresome, comprehensive, and awe-inspiring endeavor that one can pursue on the Huron: Thru-paddling the entirety of the Huron River National Water Trail's 104-mile route. Launching at the headwaters of Proud Lake, the official water trail route guides paddlers through several of the Detroit region's idyllic parks and quintessential trail towns along the journey to Lake Erie. Milford, Dexter, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Flat Rock are the trail's official "Water Trail Towns," although the trail provides for ample exploration opportunities throughout the Huron-Clinton Metroparks, state recreation areas, and other destinations that encompass its surroundings. There are four official canoe campgrounds along the water trail: Kensington Metropark (appropriately located off of Group Camp Rd.), Island Lake State Recreation Area, Hudson Mills Metropark, and Lower Huron Metropark. As the above map shows, there is quite a stretch between the Hudson Mills and Lower Huron campgrounds - a 38.7 mile stretch. A previous expedition camped at a "secret campground" location referred to as "Superior Pond" to break up this segment, but we are unsure whether this pre-approved "campground" was located on private property. We'll dig a little deeper into that detail, but for the time being, we would advise maybe breaking up that segment with a night spent in Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti. A proper beer, burger, and bed rarely hurt anyone. As a bonus perk of completing the thru-paddle, you will earn access into the Huron River Watershed Council's "Huron104" Trail Registry. Huron104 lists the names of each successful adventurer that has completed at least 100 distinct miles of the water trail within a calendar year. As of the date of this article, the registry lists only 12 names. Is that a comprehensive list of everyone who has completed the trail from point-to-point? Probably not, but it's hard to imagine a better way to add an adventuresome exclamation to this year than joining such an exclusive club. 4. Cycle the Century Challenge during the Milford Bike Fest Milford, Michigan | Completing a 100 Mile Challenge at Michigan's Quintessential Mountain Biking Festival Call us jaded, but our taste for adventure drifts subconsciously towards the extreme. The experiences that push our bodies to the limit, demand more energy than we thought we were capable of delivering, and leave us with a newfound appreciation for what the human body is capable of. Several of these resolutions fit into that genre of adventure, but I have to be completely transparent: just the thought of taking on the Milford Bike Fest's "Century Challenge" makes my palms sweat (sorry, keyboard). Allow me to back up for a moment. The MCMBA-sponsored Milford Bike Fest is, at its core, a celebration of Southeast Michigan's mountain biking community. The festival occurs in Milford because of the trail town's central location to five world-class single track mountain biking trails, including the top-tier Highland A-B-C-D loops. While the festival comes complete with live music, complementary drinks, food discounts, and hundreds of your new favorite riding buddies, everyone knows that the main draw of the festival is the Century Challenge. Here's the challenge: completing a mountain biking ride that covers THE ENTIRETY of all five trail systems that are readily accessible from Downtown Milford over a distance of at least 100 miles. These include the Milford Trail, Highland State Recreation Area, Hickory Glen, Proud Lake State Recreation Area/the Kensington Connector, and Island Lake State Recreation Area. I have biked each of these trail systems independently, and each one packs one hell of a punch. So, the thought of conquering all five in a single day...yeah, that's definitely one way to earn a post-ride beer! We're crazy enough to give it a go. Please, comrades, join us on this odyssey! 5. Conquer the Black Diamond Trails Bald Mountain, Brighton, and Highland State Recreation Areas | Hiking - or trail running - the trinity of the Detroit region's most difficult trails When it comes to hiking trails, not all trails are created equal. Hear me out, that's a good thing - you wouldn't want to take someone making their first steps towards a lifelong fitness journey on a rim-to-rim trek of the Grand Canyon. Such an endeavor would likely kill their drive to ever set foot on a trail again (or just to ever hike with you again). The same concept holds true for our local hiking trails. Here at Expedition Detroit, we have already covered our area's top-ranked trails for every genre of hiker. We have also wrote about our most accessible trails for venturing out on a night hike. But for this special article - the shoot-for-the-moon "New Year's Resolutions" article - we're aiming for our three toughest, steepest, and most challenging trails: our three "Black Diamond" rated-trails at Bald Mountain, Brighton, and Highland State Recreation Areas. We wrote a feature on these trails in the past, so we won't recreate the wheel now. What I will state here though is that completing this triple crown of Detroit hiking is no easy feat: the combined stats of these trails are 1,560 feet of elevation gain over 37.6 miles of Southeast Michigan's most rugged, variable, punishing, yet beautiful terrain. In 2023, we were only able to complete the Bald Mountain trail system. So for 2024, conquering Highland and Brighton are very high priorities. Who knows, we may go crazy and try to knock out all three trails in a single day...stay tuned my friends. Stay tuned. 6. Bike, Hike, or Run the Entirety of the Trans Canada Trail in Windsor Windsor, Ontario | Exploring the extensive trail system located south of the border In one of our earliest articles, we made a prediction that in the not-too-distant future, Detroit will claim its place as the international trails capital of North America. Yes, the State of Michigan's immense investment in trail infrastructure as part of its campaign for Michigan to earn recognition as our nation's "Trails State" has facilitated immense momentum for our city's outdoor recreation economy. That being said, our Canadian cousins have undeniably acted as pioneers in this space: the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational trail network in the world covering over 15,000 miles, extends directly to Windsor’s Riverfront Trail. Will we ever trek across all of the TCT's 15,000 miles, completing an epic journey from the Atlantic waves of St. John's Island to the icebergs of the Northwest Territories? Eh, probably not in this lifetime. We very much can - and therefore will - take on the 15.5 miles of its trail that stretch across Windsor's northern shores, including the stunning Riverfront Trail, Malden Park, and Ojibway Prairie Provincial Nature Preserve. As a 2024 bonus, the long-awaited Gordie Howe Bridge - including its non-motorized lanes - is expected to open towards the end of this year! We can't wait for the opportunity to bike, hike, or run seamlessly from Detroit's greenways to Windsor's trails. 7. Volunteer Alongside our Parks' Best "Friends" Throughout the Detroit Region | Stewardship volunteer opportunities to eradicate invasive species throughout Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas One of REI's core marketing slogans has evolved into one of our mantras at Expedition Detroit: "A life outdoors is a life well lived." Well, we would like to revise that slogan a tad: "A life outdoors with friends is a life well lived." Yes, that could refer to actual, adventurous, human friends, but for this article we're writing about the vast volunteer network of "Friends" organizations of specific parks that accomplish amazing environmental feats throughout our region. We try to regularly spotlight these organizations on our Instagram feed, but groups like the Friends of Maybury State Park, Friends of Point Pelee, and Friends of the Rouge dedicate countless hours towards making our outdoors more accessible, beautiful, and sustainable for generations to come. During 2024, we humbly ask that you join us in volunteering for one or more outdoor stewardship work days with these "Friends." Aside from earning some good karma for this year, donating your time and muscle to such causes instills a sense of pride and ownership in our outdoors that simple recreation just can't hold a candle to. Oh, and don't worry, we will blow up our social media feeds well in advance of those volunteer opportunities, so you'll know exactly where we will be getting our hands dirty at. 8. Run the Detroit Free Press Marathon Detroit, Michigan and Windsor, Ontario | Running in our region's hallmark race across two international border crossings We've said it once, twice, and will say it proudly a million times more: the Detroit Free Press Marathon is the crown jewel in the treasure trove of Detroit's outdoor events calendar. The race embodies everything that we love about our region's outdoors: breath-taking views from the Ambassador Bridge, international fraternization along the Windsor and Detroit riverfronts, and heartwarming, encouraging interactions with Detroiters and Windsorites throughout the event. Yes, we are generally more pro-trail running than road running. However, the Detroit Free Press Marathon will forever lure us back on an annual pilgrimage to the concrete labyrinth of Detroit's core routes. We emphatically urge you to join us in this amazing, heart (and lung)-pounding race that briefly turns the attention of the international running community towards our great city. In 2023, the Expedition Detroit team ran in the International Half-Marathon event - one of my personal favorite races that I've completed several times now. In 2024, we're going for the full 26.2 - and we hope that you will join us in that bucket list-worthy endeavor! 9. Actively (or Passively) Support Conservation Throughout the Detroit Region | Proactively supporting the conservation of our natural resources through hunting or simply buying a hunting license Let's cut right to the chase: hunting and fishing are not everyone's cup of tea when it comes to outdoor recreation options. We get it - we even wrote an article addressing the negative stereotypes that hunters face head-on, as well as steps that the hunting community can take to address such public apprehension towards our passion. The bottom line is that any recreational sport that involves the taking of life will raise eyebrows. Now, here's another uncomfortable, universal truth: in our modern, sprawling suburban ecosystem, hunting and fishing are vital to the DNR's ongoing conservation efforts. In the past, the Detroit Free Press published a front-page article covering the devastating impact that exploding deer populations are unleashing on habitat sustainability, vehicular safety, and the environmental longevity of the Great Lakes region. Add in the material detriment of decreasing hunting and fishing license sales on the DNR's annual budget, the net result is that our developed region can't afford to lose its hunters and anglers. While we strongly encourage anyone looking to lead a more environmentally-conscious lifestyle to consider actively supporting conservation by hunting or fishing in 2023, we adamantly argue that all ethical outdoor recreationists should purchase a hunting and/or fishing license. If that statement comes off as a little "pushy," well, I unapologetically stand by it. The DNR desperately needs our participation in its greater conservation program in order to properly care for the outdoor spaces that we love. Actively hunting or fishing gets you in the game, but even just purchasing a license - with no intention of hunting or fishing - will provide the DNR with revenue to reinvest into the sustainability of our wilderness. Easily the best $20 you'll spend this year. 10. Fully Embrace an Outdoor-Centric Lifestyle Throughout Southeast Michigan | Learning to incorporate the benefits of the outdoors into everyday life - no matter the season If you are able to accomplish only one outdoor New Year's resolution in 2024, we sincerely hope it's this one: to incorporate the benefits of Detroit's outdoors into your everyday life. You read that correctly, everyday life. Rain or shine. Hot or cold. Light or dark. The full spectrum of our outdoor ecosystem. The Norwegians have perfected this approach to an outdoor-centric lifestyle - their word for it, both a noun and verb, is "Friluftsliv." By prioritizing friluftsliv's "get outdoors, every day, no matter what" lifestyle, Norway experienced a fundamental cultural transformation that has resulted in improved mental health, the good standard of societal fitness levels, and the prioritization of environmental conservation. The best part about this "friluftsliv resolution" is the least physically-demanding resolution on this list - just spending any amount of time in nature counts as a successful friluftsliv outing. The difficult aspect of this goal, as with any truly transformative goal, is consistency. Fortunately, there are several months-long events or habits that can assist with getting outdoors. For me personally, I have participated in RF Events' trail racing series called "The GOAT Series." In summary, the GOAT - which stands for "Greatest Of All Time" - comprises of competing in at least 3 of RF Event's 5 flagship races, spanning from April 27th ("Trail Weekend") to November 2nd ("Bonfyre Trail Fest"). At the end of the season, runners who qualified for the GOAT Series will be eligible to win special awards if they ranked as either the top three runners (by gender) for each of the Sprint and Open categories. In the spirit of expanding friluftsliv opportunities throughout our region, we at Expedition Detroit are also proud to announce our 2024 "New Year's Deals" for our guided services! More information will be released in the coming week, but here are the highlights of our current deals: SNOWSHOE TREKS PRESALE: Use discount code "SNOWDANCE24" to save 10% on any of our planned snowshoe treks! BOOK TWO, GET ONE FREE: Book any two guided trips and receive a third one on us! FREE BEANIE: In honor of 2024, the first 24 participants to book a guided trip will receive free Expedition Detroit beanie with their booking! These offerings are only available through January 31st, so we hope that you will kick off your New Year with us as we continue exploring the beautiful parks and trails surrounding Detroit! START YOUR NEW YEAR WITH A GUIDED SNOWSHOE TREK! PRESALE IS LIVE NOW WITH SPECIAL OFFERINGS FOR EARLY BOOKINGS! Before signing off on this article and getting a jump on these resolutions, we also formally want to invite you to join us on each and every one of these goals. Another less-known characteristic of successful goal-setting is accountability. Well, this article is our team's public accountability notice. We fully intended on accomplishing each of these New Year's Resolutions, and we hope to see you on the trail, in the river, or across the finish line. Happy New Year, Expedition Detroit community. As always, we can't wait to see you out there!

In honor of the Winter Solstice, here is Expedition Detroit's guide to harnessing the physical, mental, and cultural benefits of Norway's transformative "Friluftsliv" approach to winter recreation. "Yeah...these definitely aren't waterproof." It's 9 a.m. sharp and I've just reached the Vidden trailhead in Europe's rainiest city: Bergen, Norway. A ~10 mile trek across the roof of Bergen lies ahead, starting with 1,300 steps to reach Bergen's highest point, Ulriken. I had assumed my brand new trail shoes were waterproof; the unmistakable sponging noise emanating from my feet dictated otherwise. At the halfway point on those stairs, I turned around to admire a nonexistent vista of Bergen that the thick mist robbed me of. The density of the cloud cover shrouded over the world below, save only the barren hillside and carefully-placed stone steps within my immediate vicinity. Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" played on a loop in my head, and since I had found myself alone in this cloud country, I decided to sing along: "There's a lady who's su-" Just seconds into belting my best Robert Plant impression, the show ended as I realized that I was not alone on the stairs. A figure dressed in all white emerged from the mist below, climbing at an alarmingly quick pace. I had read about the "legendary athleticism" of Norwegians, so seeing this figure trekking up the hill lit that competitive fire burning within every American. Soaked shoes be damned, I was going to beat this person up the mountain. Yeah...I didn't. A few minutes later I found myself on the side of the trail, giving him a courteous "Hallo" as he ran right past me and up the stairs. In my defense, this was clearly not his first time on this trail - the dude was decked out in trail running swag, dressed more for an Olympic heat than a casual morning trek like yours truly. He ran up this slick stairs like a mountain goat - and was heading back down before I could even summit. Beyond upholding the national stereotype, what impressed me the most about this particular Norwegian wasn't his pace, technique, or sponsors, but simply that he was out there in those conditions. And he wasn't alone - as I completed the Vidden Trek, I crossed paths with countless Norwegians of all ages enjoying downpour conditions along the trail. From young school children to elderly couples, they ventured through the windswept, rain-clogged terrain like a bluebird summer's day. I tried to emulate the locals by seizing every recreational opportunity that day, including a "true summit" of Mt. Ulriken. Back in the States, a quick Google search unveiled that my experience wasn't some rare encounter with extraordinary outdoor enthusiasts. Norway, along with Scandinavia as a whole, has adopted a social construct known as "Friluftsliv" (pronounced "free-loofts-liv"). While this word translates roughly to "open-air living" or "free air life," its practical application to Norway's year-round outdoor culture, quality of life, and national heritage has fundamentally changed the country for the better. In fact, despite experiencing more rain, cold, and less daylight than most countries on earth, Norway consistently ranks as one of the world's happiest countries. As we in the Detroit region head into our "dark season" - which, again, is significantly tamer than Norway's - we would immensely benefit from a wholesale adoption their friluftsliv lifestyle. Just like Scandinavia, the Great Lakes region as a whole is blessed with a four season climate that perfectly supports year-round recreation (verifiably one of many reasons for a century of Scandinavian emigration to the Great Lakes). We already have the temporal elements, recreational infrastructure, and world-class destinations to reap the benefits of friluftsliv. All that we're missing is the cultural component - the critical missing piece that this article is intended to remedy. INTRODUCING FRILUFTSLIV: NORWAY'S FAVORITE PASTTIME Centuries of Norwegians have instilled an integral love for nature in humanity's most sustainable way: habitual and generational introduction to seasonal recreation. Similar to the modern father who teaches their child to hunt or mother that skies just behind her toddler, Norwegians recognized the purely recreational benefits of spending time in nature long before the term friluftsliv was first penned by Henrik Ibsen in 1859. In doing so, Ibsen simply wanted to create a name for his country's love of spending time in remote locations for spiritual and physical well-being. The Norwegian government, on the other hand, decided to formalize their citizens' connection with nature. The government created a set of laws that codified Norwegians' right to enjoy friluftsliv, including the famous "Right to Roam." The government also sponsors "libraries" where outdoor enthusiasts can "check out" outdoor gear. Even Norway's educational system has followed suit, including the establishment of several outdoor kindergartens (friluftsbarnehager) where the children spend 80% of the time outdoors, and the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in friluftsliv. According to Norway's official tourism site, friluftsliv is not "just a thing," but rather "a whole philosophy, a way life." Friluftsliv represents a "commitment to celebrate time outdoors, no matter your age, physical condition, and regardless of the season and weather forecast." Better yet, there's no wrong way to friluftsliv - regardless of whether a Norwegian has embarked on a multi-day cross-country skiing expedition or is spending an afternoon relaxing in their hammock, the universal goal of a successful friluftsliv endeavor involves "relaxing, refreshing, and re-energizing." Unsurprisingly, friluftsliv constitutes Norway's most preferred recreational activity, with a reported 90% participation rate. Seriously. And, with participation figures that high, Norway boasts equally impressive data regarding the physical and mental benefits of its recreational culture. MENTAL AND PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF FRILUFTSLIV This should hopefully come as a shock to no one, but regular physical exercise is extremely good for you. This is a point that the Expedition Detroit team tries to reinforce across the entirety of our platform, including Dr. Eric Reilly's fantastic article on the longevity benefits of hiking that we strongly recommend for everyone to read. Thanks to friluftsliv, Norwegians have reaped these health benefits for generations. Norway's population enjoys a verifiably good health status: the country's life expectancy of 83.3 years is the highest in Europe, its has one of the lowest rates of deaths from treatable causes among Europe, and 75% of the population is categorized as being "in good health." When discussing winter recreation, however, we place slightly more emphasis on the measurable mental health benefits of friluftsliv. As we mentioned prior, engaging in friluftsliv isn't limited in Norway to specific activities, demographics, or seasons. Anyone, at any point in the year, time of day, or temporal condition, can engage in a friluftsliv adventure. As you may have predicted, the mental health benefits from such accessibility - especially during winter - are astonishing. Norwegian studies have demonstrated that just being in outdoor spaces for extended periods of time reduce anxiety and improve cognition. In a 2020 survey, 90% of Norwegians stated that they felt less stressed and in a better mood after spending time in nature - regardless of their recreational activity of choice. In 2023, the U.N.'s "World Happiness Report" ranked Norway as the seventh happiest country in the world, while both Bergen and Oslo placed among the top 10 happiest cities Specifically with regard to the mental health benefits of winter recreation, health psychologist Kari Leibowitz, PhD noted an interesting fact regarding Norway's population. Her work found that "the further north people lived, the more positive their view of winter was – and that this mindset that ‘winter is wonderful’ was associated with life satisfaction and psychological wellbeing.” Here's the wildest part: that data comes from cities like Tromsø where the sun does not rise between November 21st and January 21st. Despite the perpetual darkness, locals actually report lower levels of wintertime depression due to continuing to engage in recreational activities like hiking, dogsledding, skiing, whale watching, and viewing the Northern Lights. HOW DETROITERS CAN ADOPT FRILUFTSLIV THIS WINTER Now that we've inundated you with more Norwegian recreational knowledge than you ever wanted to learn, one looming question remains: If Norway can harness the physical and mental benefits of prolonged winter, then why can't we..? Spoiler alert: not only can the Detroit region successfully adapt the friluftsliv lifestyle to our outdoor culture, but we would be fools not to. The health statistics regarding the Detroit region are disappointing at best when compared to Norway's high-flying stats. The average life expectancy within the City of Detroit has dropped to 69 over the last decade, Seasonal Affective Disorder ("SAD") hospitalizes an estimated 500,000 Americans each year, and historically marginalized demographics within the Detroit region like Black and Hispanic residents are statistically more likely to encounter severe and incapacitating symptoms of SAD - while paradoxically having less access to beneficial treatments. Will the widespread adoption of friluftsliv remedy these societal ills overnight? We wish so, but sadly, no. As we have covered, it took even the Norwegians centuries for the outdoor lifestyle to fundamentally permeate and change its culture. But hardly anything good in life comes quickly, and in light of the explosive growth that Detroit's outdoor industry is continuing to experience post-pandemic, NOW represents the perfect opportunity to start implementing friluftsliv's core components into our wintry recreational ecosystem. Here are four friluftsliv actions that you can start adopting today: 1. DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE CONDITIONS | There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. At the core of Norway's outdoor cultural phenomenon lies one simple belief: "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." I learned this lesson firsthand while hiking 10+ miles in water-logged hiking shoes. Others have learned through nearly freezing to death, both in Scandinavia and throughout the Great Lakes region. Friends, here's the best news: you do not need to re-learn this lesson. When it comes to cold weather recreation, the name of the game is simply dressing in layers. Here's a crash-course on layering: Base Layer ("underwear layer"): Arguably most important layer; goal is to wick sweat off your skin. Middle Layer ("insulating layer"): Should retain body heat to protect you from the cold. Outer Layer ("shell layer"): Largely weather-dependent; shields you from wind, snow, sleet, and rain - and provides extra insulation. Specifically for the Detroit region, your middle layer should provide enough warmth to handle freezing temperatures. Likewise, your outer layer should be waterproof for sleet and snowy conditions. For visibility purposes, also look for jackets that have reflective attributes like reflective logos and other hits that light sources will pick up. The final clothing items that you should include in your winter recreation gear checklist are for your extremities. Regardless of whether your middle or outer layer features a hood, we always recommend a warm beanie or similar hat to cover your head and ears. Gloves or mittens are also an essential, especially if you plan to carry trekking poles with you. Last but certainly not least, don't forget warm and durable hiking socks to ground your trek. 2. CONTINUE RECREATING OUTDOORS | Friluftsliv is more than just an activity, it’s a lifestyle. Now that you're fully-outfitted for the cold, the next step is both the simplest and hardest: keep recreating outdoors. As any Norwegian can attest, a "friluftsliv offseason" simply does not exist. Rain or shine, snow or mud, even light or dark, every day provides an opportunity for engaging in friluftsliv. Again, here's the most beautiful component regarding the friluftsliv lifestyle: the goal is finding peace and quiet, not necessarily breaking a sweat. Friluftsliv is purposefully inclusive - in fact, we can't think of a more disability-friendly activity than simply pursuing the act of being present in nature. A winter friluftsliv outing could include a slow hike along your favorite snow-covered trail, cross-country skiing, fat tire mountain biking, ice skating, ice fishing, ice bathing (more on that in a minute), stargazing, or simply sitting by a campfire. BOOK A GUIDED HIKE WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT THIS WINTER! 3. BUILD RESILIENCY BY NORMALIZING DIFFICULTY | Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. Alright...here's where we add a special Expedition Detroit twist on the friluftsliv ethos. One which Norwegian professional athletes have harnessed and utilized to dominate the Winter Olympics for nearly a century. A component that we vow to encourage as friluftsliv hopefully catches on throughout our region. Winter recreation provides the perfect opportunity to build resiliency. Grit. Toughness. Fortitude. All of the basic components required to excel in a sport, venture, pursuit, and life as a whole. Okay, we'll tone it back for a second. Just by simply engaging in friluftsliv during our winter months, you will instill some degree of resiliency into your life. Winter in Detroit is cold, and therefore uncomfortable. By consistently encountering that discomfort, you will gradually normalize facing adversity - and overcoming it. If we as a community were to comprehensively adopt that approach to our daily life, then only God knows what we other challenges we could overcome. Here are three ways that you could introduce resiliency into your wintertime recreational agenda: TAKE ICE BATHS. Yes, believe the hype that you've seen all over social media. Taking regular ice baths (i.e., at least 11 minutes per week) have been purported to reduce inflammation and swelling, boost your mood, relieve sore muscles, aid in recovery, support immunity, and generally improve mental health.* CAMP OUTDOORS. Camping season does not end during the warmer months. In fact, simply sleeping outside throughout the year has proven to improve immune system functionality and speed up metabolic rates. During winter, studies show that continuing to camp in cold conditions helps reduce inflammation, improve our brain's cognitive functionality, and further increase metabolism as the body burns more fat to keep warm. LEARN A NEW SPORT. When the snow starts falling and the ice freezes over, a whole new world of outdoor recreation comes alive. The Detroit region provides ample, beginner-friendly terrain for new skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers, and fat tire mountain bikers to hone their new skills. Better yet, the act of acquiring a new skillset has been proven to diminish the onset of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and other memory-affecting ailments. 4. PERFECT YOUR "HYGGE" RECOVERY ROUTINE | Balancing intensity with deep rest and recovery keeps you fresh and strong In Robin Sharma's incredible book The 5AM Club, its fictitious protagonist Stone Riley provides a lifetime's supply of wisdom to his two pupils. While the majority of his lessons center on self-optimization and productivity, one particular lesson addresses the same but through an entirely different lens. One that provides the "ying" to resiliency's "yang." "You really must learn how to balance working intensity and brilliantly with deep rest and recovery so you can remain fresh and strong over a long career." For Scandinavians, the restful component to friluftsliv's activism - and one that's especially important during the winter months - involves the concept of "hygge" (Danish, pronounced "hoo-guh"). Simply put, hygge embodies "the pursuit of joy and coziness." Think snow-covered rustic cabins, roaring indoor fires, big mugs of hot cocoa, thick blankets, great books, friends, family - a perfect escape from the often harsh realities of the season. Why should hygge be incorporated into the inherently outdoor lifestyle of friluftsliv...? In one word, recovery. Even the most ardent and expeditious of endurance athletes need a period of rest for their bodies and minds to heal from the demands of their life's pursuit. As such, we owe it to ourselves to create our own version of hygge this winter. A place where we can recover, unwind, and feel rejuvenated for the adventures ahead. For us at Expedition Detroit, our favorite version of hygge as of late has been utilizing a portable sauna after our workouts. While ice baths are largely recommended pre-work out, post-work out sauna sessions have been demonstrated to promote muscle recovery, improve heart health, and aid in relaxation. Please always hydrate before using a sauna, and experts recommend staying in for no longer than 10-20 minutes. *Note: Medical experts recommend avoiding ice baths if you have a history of heart problems.

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! Nestled in the heart of Troy, Michigan, this edition explores the pines, meadows, and marshes of the Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center's Blackbird, Fox, and Sugar Maple Loops! Join us as we rediscover this suburban oasis of wilderness that has hosted post-holiday hikes - and community activism - for generations. December 26th, 2023. "Boxing Day," as today is more commonly referred to throughout the English-speaking world. But for us in the Detroit Region, a better denomination would be "Recovery Day." And aren't we all owed a formal recovery day after the events of this week..? Beyond the conclusion of the Hanukkah and Christmas holidays - including all of the family and friends gatherings that accompany them - Detroiters were treated to a special gift this year. In case you've been off-grid since Christmas Eve, the Detroit Lions won their first NFC North Division Championship in franchise history, also their first divisional title in 30 years. This platform is geared towards Detroit's outdoor recreational arena, but even so we weren't going to miss watching the Lions take care of business and finally take the North. The cumulative effect of those celebrations takes us to today: an overcast, rainy, sluggish, and likely burnt-out Tuesday. Trust us, we absolutely get the natural inclination to spend your day-off - and possibly your week-off - horizontal on the couch, waiting for a spirit of motivation and activism to miraculously return. To that effect, we have good news and bad news for you. The bad news is, as Sir Isaac Newton stated within his First Law of Motion, an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. Put differently, if you're reading this from the couch, then you will stay on the couch unless... You get outside. Now. Before the natural human preference of taking the path of least resistance tries to keep you at rest. Hear us out - your ability to do so is the good news, because clinical data overwhelmingly supports the finding that outdoor recreation decreases stress, activates neural activity, boosts creativity, and enhances feelings of revitalization. Something we could all benefit from in the post-holidays/Lions celebratory wake. But wait, there's more. The even better news is that the majority of Detroit's suburban residents hardly need to travel in order to reach one of our region's "hidden natural gems." While massive Michigan State Recreation Areas like Waterloo, Pinckney, Holly, and Highland offer opportunities for multi-day wilderness adventures, the reality for most Detroit region residents remains that beautiful, scenic, relaxed, and convenient trails are often the best trails for "Recovery Days" like today. We've covered some of these in the past, like West Bloomfield's Woods Nature Preserve Trail, Livonia's Newburgh Lakeview Trail, and Detroit's Dequindre Cut. This edition introduces another beloved trail to your local rolodex: Troy's Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center's Blackbird, Fox, and Sugar Maple Loops. MEET THE LLOYD A. STAGE NATURE CENTER Outdoorists love natural places for a vast variety of reasons. Wildlife and wildflower viewing. Stunning terrain. Challenging exercise. Connection. Isolation. An opportunity to retreat from modernity. One rationale that often gets overlooked however - one that is especially pertinent to developed areas like Metro Detroit - was best summed up by George Mallory: "Because it's there." In the brief history of the Lloyd A. Stage Nature Center, there was nearly a reality where the Stage Nature Center and its 100 acres would not "be there." After the Stage Nature Center's acquisition by the City of Troy in 1970, the Center gradually grew to provide the public with an interpretative nature center building, an observation bee hive, wildlife viewing area, more than 145 plant and animal species, and nearly 2 miles of natural trails. The cumulation of those conservation actions were nearly dashed in 2010, however, when the city announced the planned closure of the Stage Nature Center. Fortunately for all of us, the newly-created Troy Nature Society raised adequate funds to acquire - and preserve - the Stage Nature Center for generations to come. In its present form, the Stage Nature Center continues to engage greater Troy's recreational community with nature-inspired public programs designed for families, children, and seniors. The Stage Nature Center also conducts programming for school and community groups, along with guided nature walks and targeted school outreach nature studies. Most importantly, the incredible team at the TNS maintain the Stage Nature Center's trail network: nearly two miles of trails that take visitors through lowland and upland forests, a meadow, and across boardwalks through marshlands. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 1.7 miles Elevation Gain: 72 feet Trail Rating: Easy Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Free parking available at the main Coolidge Hwy trailhead Your "Recovery Hike" at the Stage Nature Center begins right where all great hikes do - the edge of the parking lot. Follow the paved path out of the parking lot and directly towards the nature center before passing through the gate on your left side. There are restrooms within the nature center, although note that the center closes at either 3 (weekdays) or 4 p.m. (weeknights). The trails are open from dawn until dusk year-round though, so anyone heading straight for the trails will have unrestricted access as long as the sun's shining. Before digging into the Stage Nature Center's trail system, be advised that the trails are only permitted for hiking and walking. Pets, bikes, running, skiing, collecting, foraging, and wildlife feeding are strictly prohibited. Interestingly, snowshoeing along the trails is not only permitted, but encouraged by the Stage Nature Center. So please, when the pow's fresh, be sure to whip out the snowshoes! Once you reach the paved portion of the Sugar Maple Loop at approximately 0.1 miles into your hike, turn right to follow the trail along the northern banks of the Rouge River. Once over the bridge and on the natural trail, continue for 0.2 more miles until reaching the origination point of the Stage Nature Center's longest loop: the forested Blackbird Loop. Stay left at the Blackbird Loop's divergent point at the 0.3 mile marker. Taking this route will guide you to the trail's highest elevation at 851 feet, which you'll reach just before the 0.5 mile marker. There are benches available at this point for rest, although the gentle 6% incline on the way up may only a brief, moderate challenge at its worst for certain hikers. Most will simply enjoy the elevation change and panoramic views as they reach the top of the trail. After a 0.2 mile decline, keep left at the 0.7 mile marker to continue onto the Stage Nature Center's "Fox Trail." This brief marshland section of the trail provides great wildlife viewing and boardwalk hiking opportunities. On our trek, we came almost within petting distance of a few whitetail deer. Truly, suburban deer have no fear. One "can't miss spot" along the trail pops up at the 0.8 mile marker. Head right at the trail split to briefly detour to the center's "Marsh Tower," an excellent opportunity to view the Rouge River, underlying marshlands, and any wildlife that may be traversing below or flying right at your eye level. Bird watchers may want to linger here for awhile: the tower will provide your best shot for photographing the wild turkeys, herons, songbirds, and other birds that frequent the preserve. From the Marsh Tower, briefly double-back to complete the remaining 0.3 miles of the Fox Trail. This portion of the greater trail system was one of my personal favorites. Beyond fluctuating elevation changes and more deer sightings, the trail also takes hikers through the Stage Nature Center's "Outdoor Classroom." With towering pines overhead, walking through this area brought me right back to long days spent at summer camps as a kid, which often featured outdoor educational sessions that were brief enough to keep my attention but long enough to make an impact. We at Expedition Detroit firmly believe that the world needs more outdoor classrooms. Places where children learn about the natural environment - and then immediately experience it firsthand to create a lasting, tangible impression. Books and screens can only accomplish so much, especially in a post-pandemic world where virtual learning has largely become the norm. There's nothing wrong with those technologies, but there's just something innately human about genuine field research. Anyways... that's an example of the thoughts that cross your mind while on trail. Big fan of the outdoor classroom concept. Back to the trail. The final 0.2 miles of the Blackbird Loop - which you will rejoin after crossing a bridge currently undergoing renovations - largely consists of retracing your steps as you venture closer to the Sugar Maple Loop. Once you reconnect back to Sugar Maple, however, keep right to complete the loop within the preserve's only "lowland forest" habitat. Again, keep your head on a swivel here for both wild turkeys and very desensitized deer. They seem to really, really like this trail. With a fourth and final crossing over the Rouge River, you will have successfully trekked through the Stage Nature Center's five distinct habitats - all under two miles and within 100 acres. Most importantly, you will have given yourself the gift of fresh air, pristine trails, and a much needed dose of revitalization. This is our final #TrailTuesday for 2023, so we'd like to briefly thank our faithful following for reading and experiencing each of this year's highlighted trails. There are still SO MANY TRAILS left to uncover in 2024, so we hope that you will stay with us as we continue this series. Happy New Year, everyone. As always, we'll see you at the trailhead! Looking for any belated gifts to keep the holiday spirit going? How about something easy for kicking off any outdoor New Year's resolutions? Expedition Detroit has the perfect solution for you - give the gift of Detroit's outdoors with our EGIFT CARD, available for use when booking any of our guided hikes AND for purchases from our online store! 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!

Brighton. Alpine. Holly. Pine Knob. You know them, you've skied them, and generations have loved them. But what makes each resort stand out from the pack? Are there any special features, offerings, or other traits that could influence buying one lift ticket over another? We dive into these questions and more in our official Guide to the "Big Four" Ski Resorts near Detroit - UPDATED FOR THE WINTER 2024 SEASON! Ladies and gentlemen, it's officially time to sharpen your skis, wax your boards, update your helmet, and buy that jacket you've had your eyes on. The snow makers are blowing - and as of today the real stuff is FINALLY falling again - which means winter has arrived in Detroit! As excited as that makes us, let's hit the pause button real quick and look outside the window. While we at Expedition Detroit HQ do not see enough of that sweet, fluffy powder to kick off our wishlist of backcountry skiing and snowshoeing adventures, the snow's delayed arrival highlights an under-appreciated element of our region: We have four premiere ski resorts within an hour's drive of our near-sea level city. Four destinations that get busy cranking out snow in November while we're still waiting on Jack Frost to show face. Our "Big Four" resorts - Alpine Valley, Mt. Brighton, Mt. Holly, and Pine Knob - have formed the bedrock of Detroit's wintry outdoor economy for generations, providing slope access to generations that would otherwise need to travel hundreds of miles for the same experiences. This article provides much-overdue recognition and information regarding each of the Big Four. Beyond providing stats and recommendations, we also want to highlight what makes each of these resorts stand out in their own right. New for the 2023-2024 season, we've also included information on each resort's can't-miss events happening throughout this winter. Spoiler alert: you're going to want to ski all four by the time that you finish this article. ALPINE VALLEY SKI RESORT | White Lake, Michigan Hours: Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Weekend: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Saturday) or 9 p.m. (Sunday) Elevation: 1,210 feet Vertical Rise: 300 feet Total Runs: 17 Pass Affiliation: Multi Pass All-Day Lift Ticket Price: $67 (Monday-Thursday) or $82 (Friday-Sunday, Holidays) Expedition Detroit Award: Best for the Weekend Warrior Imagine this: you start your day with a leisurely paddle down the Huron River, launching from Milford Central Park for an out-and-back to Proud Lake State Recreation Area. After a quick refueling stop in Downtown Milford, you bust out the fat tire bike for a ride through either the Milford Mountain Biking Trail or Highland State Recreation Area's A-B-C-D Loops. Still not enough adrenaline for a Saturday? Well, thank God you packed your skis - Alpine Valley Ski Resort is less than 5 miles away from the Highland MTB trailhead. Beyond having the most affordable lift ticket prices in the Detroit region, Alpine Valley provides the most equal distribution of beginner, intermediate, and expert slopes among the Big Four. The expert-rated slopes feature the resort's terrain park runs, which Alpine Valley has improved significantly in recent years. The resort also boasts the Hornet's Nest Lounge, an ideal après-ski destination for enjoying favorite cocktails, dancing, entertainment, and a panoramic view of Alpine Valley's ski slopes. Multi Pass: Alpine Valley, Mt. Holly, and Pine Knob are all members of the regional "Multi Pass" network. The Multi Pass costs $825, so snagging this pass will make the most sense if you plan to hit these resorts consistently throughout the season. Other resorts included in the Multi Pass that are outside of the Detroit region are Bittersweet (Ostego, MI), Alpine Valley Resort (Elkhorn, WI), and Searchmont (Sioux Ste. Marie, ON). FEATURED WINTER 2024 EVENTS: PENNY & DAN LIVE  | January 7th and 28th, 2024  |  Close out your January Sundays on the slopes at the Hornet's Nest Lounge for great drinks and live music provided by local artist duo Penny & Dan! AVSBX KICK-OFF PARTY | January 17th, 2024 | Alpine Valley invites you to head to the Hornet's Nest Lounge for a kick-off party for its 2024 SBX Racing League! JUSTIN ROSE LIVE  | February 4th and 18th, 2024  |  Close out your February Sundays on the slopes at the Hornet's Nest Lounge for great drinks and live music provided by local country artist Justin Rose! MT. BRIGHTON | Brighton, Michigan Hours: Weekdays: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Early Season Hours); Weekend: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturday) or 8 p.m. (Sunday) Elevation: 1,330 feet Vertical Rise: 230 feet Total Runs: 24 Pass Affiliation: Epic Pass All-Day Lift Ticket Prices: $60 - 70 (Monday - Friday), $94 (Saturday - Sunday)* *Early season pricing in effect until December 22nd Expedition Detroit Award: Best for the Jet-Setting Explorer Although Mt. Brighton has been around since 1960, Vail Resorts' acquisition of the mountain in 2015 breathed new life into the Detroit region's largest man-made ski resort. Vail's acquisition included a $10 million investment into improvements like new chairlifts, enhanced beginner terrain, new base area facilities and children’s ski and ride school center, innovative terrain parks, and a state-of-the-art snowmaking system. Eight years later, the net results of those improvements includes transforming Mt. Brighton into an "out west enclave" in the Detroit region, including the modern amenities that top-tier skiers and snowboarders should expect from an industry-defining powerhouse like Vail. While the quality of Mt. Brighton's well-manicured runs and cutting-edge facilities provide the most imminent attraction for riders, the value emanating from the resort's Epic Pass inclusion is undeniably powerful. Especially if you were to purchase the discounted Epic Local Pass, you could ride not only Mt. Brighton to your heart's content, but take a few trips to world-class resorts out west, back east, or around the world with the same pass. As much as we sing the praises of Detroit's outdoor recreation opportunities, we're certainly not immune to the allure of big mountain skiing. Mt. Brighton and its Epic Pass affiliation make such adventures more economic, efficient, and practical for us all. FEATURED WINTER 2024 EVENTS: DUCT TAPE DERBY  | January 20th, 2024  |  Start saving your cardboard to design a vehicle or sled made of only reused cardboard, duct tape, and paint to race down the hill at the Duct Tape Derby! Join the fun with music, giveaways, outdoor food and bar, and more. DEW AFTER DARK  | February 23rd, 2024  |  Taking night skiing to a whole new level! The Drew After Dark event features live DJs, a "Rail Jam," glow sticks, giveaways, and more. SLUSH CUP  | March 2nd, 2024  |  Check out the annual Slush Cup for the biggest spring party of the season! Pond skimming competition (age 7+), music, outdoor bar, tons of giveaways and prizes, and more. MT. HOLLY | Holly, Michigan Hours: Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Weekend: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Saturday) or 9 p.m. (Sunday) Elevation: 1,115 feet Vertical Rise: 350 feet Total Runs: 19 Pass Affiliation: Multi Pass All-Day Lift Ticket Price: $69 (Monday - Thursday) or $82 (Friday - Sunday, Holidays) Expedition Detroit Award: Best for the Downhill Bomber Mt. Holly may not be the largest, highest, or most glamorous of the Big Four, but it packs a big punch right where it matters the most: more vertical feet of downhill than any of the other resorts. Located just on the northwestern edge of the Detroit region, Mt. Holly benefits from the dramatic, rolling hills that define Southeast Michigan's premiere terrain for outdoor recreation. As such, Mt. Holly's deep descents provide the resort with proportionately more advanced terrain than any of the other Big Four. Similar to Alpine Valley, Mt. Holly also provides the wintry cherry on top for an area already absurdly blessed with outdoor opportunities. The resort is conveniently located in between the western and eastern branches of Holly State Recreation Area, with the park's premiere mountain biking trail maintained by the Clinton River Area Mountain Bike Association located within eyesight of the resort's summit. The eastern branch of Holly State Recreation Area also entails opportunities for hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Legs feeling a little wobbly after capitalizing on the additional vert? Fortunately for all of us, Mt. Holly also features a spacious Bavarian-style lodge with two cafeterias, a fireplace room, and a lounge with additional fireplaces. Hard to imagine a better setting to loosen up the boots, order a stein, and kick back after an exhilarating day on the mountain. FEATURED WINTER 2024 EVENTS: THE DESALLE BROS LIVE  | December 28th - 30th, 2023  |  Head over to the Lift Lounge for live music and good vibes, featuring local artices The DeSalle Bros! More Winter 2024 Events at Mt. Holly to come...stay tuned! PINE KNOB SKI RESORT | Clarkston, Michigan Hours: Weekdays: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Weekend: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Saturday) or 9 p.m. (Sunday) Elevation: 1,201 feet Vertical Rise: 300 feet Total Runs: 17 Pass Affiliation: Multi Pass All-Day Lift Ticket Price: $69 (Monday - Thursday) or $82 (Friday - Sunday, Holidays) Expedition Detroit Award: Best for the Terrain Park Junkie Before I converted to a Detroit region local back in 2007, my family made annual pilgrimages to Southeast Michigan during the winter holidays. One of those trips included a ski day at some local resort I had never heard of: Pine Knob. Aside from the vague, childlike memories of the slopes, I remember my surprise at how quickly we got to and from the resort from our lodging in Bloomfield Hills. All of my other ski trips required either hours in the car towards the Appalachians or a flight to the Rockies - this resort felt practically in our backyard. My childhood experience was far from unique. Located just 30 minutes from the City of Detroit, Pine Knob provides the most accessible ski and snowboard destination for the vast majority of our region's resident recreationists. Aside from accessibility, Pine Knob stands out as Southeast Michigan's preeminent destination for terrain park opportunities. Over the last few years, the resort's #TheKnobProject initiative has facilitated massive investments in new jumps, a progression park, a 1000 ft. high-speed tow tope, a "jib bus," and a "monster jump." If you're a terrain park junkie, this is definitely the hill for you. While Pine Knob features extensive terrain parks and intermediate/advanced-rated slopes, the resort also offers plenty of beginner-friendly amenities for newer skiers and snowboarders. The Pine Knob Ski and Snowboard School is dedicated to providing newer riders with a fun and safe experience within their programs, which include alpine, telemark, snowboarding, and even terrain park lessons for visitors of all ages and abilities. FEATURED WINTER 2024 EVENTS: MERRY MITTEN CLASSIC  | December 23rd, 2023  |  A celebration of Michigan snowboard culture, the 5th annual Merry Mitten Classic will feature a jam session, shoutouts, prizes, and an epic apres party. More Winter 2024 Events at Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard Resort to come...stay tuned! Ski season has undeniably arrived in Detroit, but we must note that the Big Four just opened over the past few weeks, so the slope conditions are less than ideal to say the least. Roughly 50% of each resort's runs are open, but the "skiability" of each mountain's terrain will improve steadily as precipitation and snow-making efforts progress. In other words, primetime is coming, so we encourage you to start making your lift ticket purchases NOW if you haven't already. We're closing out this article with a quick, shameless plug for our #EmbraceTheDark series. Each of these resorts offer exceptional night skiing and riding opportunities, so we invite you to join us in occasionally switching up our chilly night hikes or bikes for some hot laps at your resort of choice. Fortunately, no additional night gear is required for skiing or snowboarding under the lights - just bring the right lift ticket and a spirit of adventure. We'll see you at the top of the hill.

'Tis the season for holly, jolly, and freezing outdoor adventures - and we are stoked for them all! As you navigate the madness of the holidays, here are the top ten outdoor events near Detroit to guide you through this most festive of months. Happy holidays! In case you haven't heard, it's the most wonderful time of the year... And yes, not only because of the holiday season. The Expedition Detroit team is STOKED for a December that's JAM-PACKED with recreational opportunities in the Detroit area, which may come as a shock to some outdoor enthusiasts. Especially since we're waaaaay behind the curve here publishing this article on December 12th. Whoops. To be fair, December can be a polarizing month - less in terms of Santa's homestead and more regarding attitudes towards outdoor recreation. The Winter Solstice hitting mid-month means that December brings the shortest and some of the coldest days of the year. Add in the seasonal work and holiday commitments, the net result is that the odds for experiencing bountiful outdoor recreation thin out a bit. That, dear friends, represents the greatest gift that you will receive this month. December rings in opportunities for intrepid recreationists that simply do not exist mid-summer. Virtually empty running, hiking, and kayaking trails. Prime time for fat tire biking season. Expeditious snowshoeing and cross-country skiing routes. Fresh groomer tracks at Detroit's ski resorts. Extended hunting periods. An entire season ripe for outdoor innovation. Put differently, December provides us all with two options: hibernate until spring, or fully embrace and capitalize on the gift that is winter in Detroit. You already know which option we're choosing, so we're kicking off our winter expeditions with these awesome top ten outdoor events near Detroit for December. 1. Earn First Tracks at Detroit's Premiere Ski Resorts Throughout December | Big Four Ski Resorts Winter recreation invokes many different emotions, expectations, and memories. For certain members of the Expedition Detroit team, winter means claiming first chair rights and carving fresh tracks into a perfectly groomed ski slope. Yes, we of course love our backcountry terrain too, but there's nothing quite like a crisp groomer or a deep powder day at one of Detroit's four premiere resorts: Mt. Holly, Pine Knob, Alpine Valley, and Mt. Brighton. As of the writing of this article, ALL of Detroit's "Big Four Ski Resorts" are open for riding! We state this with a little bit of a cavet - all four resorts are largely still in the snow-making/accumulating process. Conditions are only going to heat up (er, cool down?) as this month progresses, so while we're waiting for the snow to fall we will be purchasing our lift tickets (relevant links here and here), sharpening our skis, and dreaming of those first sweet runs. 2. Make First Tracks with Expedition Detroit! Throughout December | 11 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas Wait... you didn't think that our guided trips ended once the leaves dropped, did you..? Detroit is a year-round outdoor destination - and our guided trips are curated to capitalize on each phase of our calendar trail conditions! Beyond our typical offering of guided hiking, backpacking, and trail running adventures, this December we're excited to broaden our offering of guided night hiking safaris and - conditions pending - GUIDED SNOWSHOE TREKS! Both of these trips will provide snowshoes and headlamps for rent. The Expedition Detroit team is proud to represent the Michigan DNR's largest commercial provider of guided hikes, backpacking expeditions, and trail running coach across ELEVEN of the Detroit region's most pristine state parks and recreation areas. Each of our guides has the field experience, wilderness first aid training, park knowledge, and outdoor passion that you can - and should - expect from any world-class trail experience. P.S. Subscribers to our content get discounts on our Guided Services AND online store items... 3. Explore Seven Lakes' Enchanted Borealis Trail December 15-16 | Seven Lakes State Park | 5 p.m. As you're probably aware, we at Expedition Detroit are all about embracing nighttime recreation opportunities (#EmbraceTheDark) this time of year. While most nocturnal exploration requires a high degree of independent preparation, the folks at Seven Lakes State Park have greatly simplified this process by hosting their annual "Enchanted Borealis Trail" night hiking events! The park encourages hikers to meander through the forest by following a one-mile lantern-lit path and enjoy some colorful holiday lights along the way. The hike starts at the Dickinson Picnic Shelter. The event is free, although as an additional option, you can rent your own campfire spot for $20 (wood and fire starting included). 4. Discover the 12 Birds of Christmas at Humbug Marsh December 16th | Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge - Humbug Marsh Unit | 9 a.m. Let's be honest - why just sing about a few festive birds when you can venture into our region's sole International Wildlife Refuge to experience the real deal? The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge is hosting a free "12 Birds of Christmas" hiking and bird watching event at Humbug Marsh. Located along the Detroit River, Humbug Marsh is the last undeveloped mile of the Detroit River on the U.S. side of the border. The guided hike will traverse native prairies, native shrublands, forests with a unique mosaic of 300-400 year old oaks mixed with hickory and ash, diverse wetlands, and beautiful Humbug Island. Rare birds on the viewing agenda include eagles, winter wrens, golden crowned kinglets, herons, and other migrating and resident water birds. 5. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve December 16th | Point Pelee National Park | 6 p.m. Sometimes the best break from the frenzy of the holidays is to do nothing. Well, almost nothing - hiking through a national park to experience the best stargazing in the Detroit region definitely counts as doing something. Fortunately for us, Point Pelee National Park saves the day yet again as our region's sole Dark Sky Preserve - the ideal location for gazing into the cosmos and tuning out the world for an extraterrestrial outing. Point Pelee's "Dark Sky Nights" are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave near-freezing temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. 6. Give the Gift of Stewardship at a DNR Volunteer Workday December 16-17  |  Belle Isle State Park and Pinckney State Recreation Area Of all of the gifts that you will give this holiday season, one of the most impactful (and least expensive) could be the opportunity to give your time and muscle to the wild places that you love! Fortunately for all of us, the DNR has taken the lead in sponsoring three official "Volunteer Stewardship Workday" events at Belle Isle State Park (December 16th) and Pinckney State Recreation Area (December 17th). Work crew activities will focus on piling brush, stacking firewood, cutting invasive shrubs, and restoring wetlands. 7. Run like Rudolph in a Holiday Race December 17th  | Throughout the Detroit Region | 9 a.m. Remember those few extra pounds that you may or may not have packed on during Thanksgiving? Well, lucky for you, 2023's holiday race season didn't end with that Gobbler Gallop your in-laws dragged you out of bed to run. To the contrary, 'tis the season for Christmas-themed races, so you'll burn off those extra turkey pounds in no time. The holiday race season, all of your favorite running Santas will be coming to towns across the Detroit region on Sunday, December 17th. Starting in Ohio, the Run Santa Run 5K kicks off in Perrysburg at 9AM. Lake Orion's Snow Dash 5K - which hopefully will have its namesake bring tidings of much needed powder - takes off at the same time. Last but certainly not least, Shelby Township is hosting their 14th annual Jingle Bell 5K Run at the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center. 8. Trek into the Night on a Twilight Luminary Hike December 22nd  | Lake St. Clair Metropark | 5 p.m. Early winter evenings spent along one of the Detroit region's largest lakes provide an idyllic scenery for trail exploration. The guides at Lake St. Clair Metropark know this all too well, including which trails provide the best wildlife viewing opportunities in step with the setting sun. Join in on the Metropark's final naturalist-led "Twilight Luminary Hike" for 2023, where you'll have the opportunity to listen for owls, search out nocturnal wildlife, and learn about the ways that Michigan’s animals adapt to the long nights and cold temperatures. Don't worry - all hikers get the opportunity to warm up alongside a roaring bonfire with s’mores after the hike. 9. Follow the Lights at Island Lake State Recreation Area December 23rd  | Island Lake State Recreation Area | 6 p.m. For the first time this winter, the team at Island Lake State Recration Area invite you to set off on a twilight journey by embarking on a unique adventure. This self-guided Lantern Hike covers a scenic one-mile stretch along the Hickory Ridge Trail, illuminated by lanterns. A cozy campfire warming station awaits you at the halfway point, so leave your headlamps and other lights at home – they won’t be necessary! The hike commences at the first parking lot of the Kent Lake unit. You’re welcome to bring your dog along; just remember to always keep them on a leash! 10. Sprint into the New Year December 31st | Belle Isle State Park and Perrysburg, Ohio Every New Year's Eve, we all find ourselves looking forward to a blank slate of opportunity. Races to be run. Trails to be explored. Memories to capture. And for the most part, all of those experiences lay just outside of our grasp - one ripped calendar page away from becoming a reality. December 31st also provides us all with one last sweet, finite way of sticking it to the year that's on its way out. Regardless of whether you'll look back on 2022 as the best or worst year of your life, we can't think of a better way to close out this chapter than sweating it out on a New Year's Eve race. Actually, you could run two - the Belle Isle New Year's Eve 5K kicks off at 4 P.M. in its namesake park, while the Midnight Special 5K in Perrysburg, Ohio provides runners with an opportunity to start the race in one year and cross the finish line in the next (race starts at 11:45 P.M.). Happy December to you all, and wishing you nothing but the best heading into 2024. We can’t wait to see you out there! Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.