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Overview of the top ten outdoor events that we're looking forward to during our favorite month of the year. Happy Fall! I’ve said it once, twice, and possibly a thousand times: nothing beats October. Crisp fall mornings, warm days, screensaver-worthy foliage, less crowded trails and campgrounds, open season for hunting, and premiere road racing…and, finally, the launch of this business! We’re pretty stoked on October to say the least. Each month, the Expedition Detroit team will do some heavy lifting on researching the best upcoming outdoor events for your viewing and attending pleasure. Full disclosure, we’re only scratching the surface here for October - this month is jam-packed with exciting, relaxing, adrenaline-pumping, and/or educational opportunities for our region to engage in. Whittling this article down to 10 events was a monumental feat, but any of these events will be a highlight of the best month to explore our corner of the Great Lakes. We think you’ll agree. 1. Attend a Michigan DNR Fall Festival Throughout October | Various State Parks and Recreation Areas Looking for a festive autumnal getaway? Well, there’s a good chance that if you camp at one of Michigan’s 103 state parks and recreation areas during the month of October, you will find yourself conveniently camping in the midst of a DNR-sponsored Fall Harvest Festival. The tradition that started at Metamora-Hadley State Recreation Area over 30 years ago has spread throughout the Detroit region, with most festival events only open to weekend campers. The festivities include hay rides, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, costume contests, haunted trails, nature programs, and horse-drawn carriage rides. Oh, and don’t forget to explore some of the most beautiful trails in the State of Michigan while you’re at it. 2. Get in the Woods for Whitetail Deer Bow Season Throughout October | Statewide in Michigan Fall technically starts on September 23rd, but the overwhelming consensus among Michigan outdoorsmen is that the season kicks off the moment that you get into your stand on Bow Opening Day on October 1st. Months of gear preparation, scouting, land maintenance, target practice, and stand assembly have led to this moment. The temperature may be slightly warmer than preferred, but there’s no better place to sit back, watch the changing leaves wave in the wind, and wait for that buck of a lifetime to wander your way. Be sure to check out our post on this year's hunting regulations before heading into the woods! 3. Run the Probility Ann Arbor Marathon October 2nd | Ann Arbor, MI | 8 a.m. October is peak marathon season in Michigan, and the Probility Ann Arbor Marathon provides the perfect event to kick the season into high gear. The race offers several event options, including kids’ races, relay, 5K, 10K, half marathon, 19-mile run, and full marathon events. The highlights of the marathon and half marathon courses include running through the heart of the University of Michigan’s campus and along one of the most scenic stretches of the Huron River. Better yet, the race’s sponsors are committing all of the event’s fundraising efforts to organizations that help and support mental health issues, including free registration entries for participants that are recovering from addiction. 4. Hike and Sip at North 42 Degrees Estate Winery Throughout October | Essex, ON | 10 a.m. If a good hike and great wine in peak fall colors don’t get you excited for fall, then you just might be a lost cause. For the rest of us, our friends across the border at North 42 Degrees Estate Winery host a weekly “Hike 42 Degrees” event where hikers and tasters alike can enjoy the winery’s 40 acres of colorful Carolinian forest. The event’s entry ticket includes a guided hike, wine tasting, and an outdoor camp-style gourmet lunch prepared by the Bistro 42 Culinary Team. 5. Raise a Stein to an Oktoberfest Race October 9th | Royal Oak, MI | 8 a.m. Prost! It is a scientifically proven fact that beer tastes better after a race, especially when paired with a Bavarian-style pretzel and mustard. Celebrate Oktoberfest in Royal Oak by racing in Kona Running’s Oktoberfest Run, which includes an 800m “fun run,” 5K, and 10K events. The post-race festivities, which naturally consist of live Bavarian music, beer, and snacks, will occur in Royal Oak’s new Centennial Commons park. 6. Hike Under the Full Hunter’s Moon October 9th | Oakwoods Metropark | 7 p.m. October’s full moon - appropriately named the “Hunter’s Moon” - will reach its peak on October 9th. Be sure to catch a glimpse of this bright orange moon by heading over to Oakwoods Metropark for a guided “Full Moon Hike” led by a metropark ranger equipped with special astronomical knowledge. We couldn’t resist doing some of our own research, though; it is believed that this full moon came to be called the “Hunter’s Moon” because it signaled the right time to start hunting in relation to the impending winter. We embrace this omen and proudly endorse this moon. 7. Bike, Hike, or Paddle Under the Fall Colors Peak Fall Colors are October 9th - 29th | Throughout Detroit Region It’s no secret that October is primetime for fall colors in the Detroit Region. Can you experience the colors through the windows of a car? Technically yes, but we ardently believe that autumn is best experienced with all of your senses - hearing the crunch of the leaves, breathing in the crisp air, and seeing the changing leaves without window smudges. Our short list for the best locations to experience autumn around Detroit include Point Pelee National Park, Belle Isle Park, Hines Park, the Huron RIver near Ann Arbor, and Paint Creek Trail. Let’s be honest though - any of our destinations will be an idyllic location to enjoy the fall colors. We promise not to judge if you bring a pumpkin spice latte along for the journey. 8. Hike with the Departed at Cemetery Tales October 15th | Willow Metropark | 7 p.m. With the month of October halfway gone, why not take “Spooky Season” to another level by hiking in a cemetery? The fearless folks at Willow Metropark have you covered - join their annual “Cemetery Tales: Stories from the Passed” hike through Huron Township Cemetery, which is located within the metropark. Your guided trek will also include history and folklore insights regarding the dear departed that you will be hiking amongst. The web advertisement for this event states, in all caps, “THIS IS NOT A HAUNTED ATTRACTION,” but come on… if that doesn’t make you superstitious, it must make you at least a littlestitious… 9. Run the Detroit Free Press Marathon October 16th | Detroit, MI | 7 a.m. We are certainly not alone in declaring that the Detroit Free Press Marathon is the crown jewel of the Detroit region’s fall outdoor season. This year is especially noteworthy since the 2022 course features the return of the international border crossings, an aspect of the race which makes it one of the most sought-after races in the world. My absolute favorite racing memory is watching the sunrise while running across the Ambassador Bridge - I don’t know how the race planners perfectly time that year after year, but it’s the icing on the cake for an already bucket list-worthy event. 10. Run a Halloween-Themed Race Throughout October | Various Locations We’re admittedly suckers for hometown 5Ks and 10Ks, and themed races that are enjoyable for runners and spectators alike absolutely top our lists. Running in one of the “Halloween races” occurring across Metro Detroit will undoubtedly get you in the holiday spirit, especially if you forgo your typical race attire for the most sweat-resistant costume in your basement. RF Events’ “RUN, SCREAM, RUN” race kicks off the holiday season on October 8th at Wiard's Orchard in Ypsilanti (voted the number one horror attraction in Michigan). Finish Line Runs’ “Michigan Monster Dash” at Kensington Metropark occurs next on October 29th, which includes 1K, 5K, 10K, and half marathon events. Last, Kona Running’s “Wicked Halloween Run” at Maybury State Park closes out Spooky Season racing on the 30th. We hope to cross paths with you at one or all of these events this month (ok, maybe not bow season - we’re aiming for total isolation while out in the field). Happy October to you all. We can’t wait to see you out there.

We’re ecstatic that you’re here - we’re also certain that you have some questions regarding this website, especially since we quite literally just got off the ground. One of our goals is to form supportive and informative relationships with each member of this community; so, like any good trail guide, hunting partner, or decently polite person, allow us a moment to introduce ourselves. WHO WE ARE No one knew it at the time, but Expedition Detroit began in March of 2020 when the world shut down and the only place to explore was home. Dan Cooke, Expedition Detroit’s founder, started channeling his outdoorsman drive and stifled wanderlust into exploring areas around his hometown that he had driven past for decades but never thought to check out. As the pandemic raged on travel restrictions remained in place, Dan uncovered one new favorite trail, park, retailer, event, or organization after another. Even as the world started to normalize, Dan continued to explore more of Detroit’s outdoors, join conservation organizations, and dive deeper into the industries supporting and impacting Detroit’s outdoor economy. That 2+ year journey ended with the shocking realization that Detroit’s outdoors - our most beautiful, valuable, awe-inspiring, and fragile resource - is severely undervalued, underserved, and dangerously exposed to neglect. This realization held true despite several private and non-profit organizations that are deeply invested in promoting Detroit’s natural environment. While there were a myriad of factors leading to this conclusion, a critical missing factor appeared to be a leading and unifying enterprise that promoted the full spectrum of Detroit’s outdoor experience. After several days of consistent (and somewhat depressing) research, Dan concluded that such a venture did not exist…yet. A few strategic phone calls later and Expedition Detroit was born. Holly Laginess was one of those first strategic calls. Holly is not only a longtime friend of Dan’s, but is an immensely talented graphic designer, brand content manager, and website builder. As Expedition Detroit evolved from dinner conversation to an operating business, Holly grew more and more integral to the development process. Honestly, the fact that you’re reading this right now, on this platform, is a testament to Holly. WHAT WE DO Expedition Detroit is a multimedia content platform that exists to promote, support, and advocate for every facet of Detroit’s outdoor ecosystem. We create original print, photo, and video media that highlights and facilitates access to the best outdoor experiences in our region, starting initially with hiking, backpacking, camping, running, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and hunting. Yes, this list is not exhaustive - we will include more activities and content mediums as this platform progresses, while simultaneously diving deeper into these leading experiences. Beyond just enhancing outdoor experiences, our content will aim to provide value to the industries and stakeholders whose operations and interests are interconnected with Detroit’s natural environment. We will cover the most valuable and useful gear for optimizing your outdoor experiences, including retailers that are disrupting markets and creating products designed for making the outdoors more accessible and enjoyable. We will promote advocacy groups, volunteer organizations, and proposed legislation that exist to create and protect a more sustainable, equitable, and inclusive outdoor experience and culture. We also intend to explore and create new opportunities for our region. Detroit’s outdoor ecosystem is ripe for disruption, whether it be new or improved trail systems, more efficient regulations, an influx of new ideas into stagnant industries, or new entrepreneurial ventures like us geared towards resolving these issues. Ultimately, our goal is to create and foster a community of passionate outdoor enthusiasts, recreationists, and advocates. We embrace - no, celebrate - the diversity of interests, backgrounds, and even nationalities that define our region. We can’t wait to serve you with content that enriches experiences, inspires new adventures, facilitates outdoor lifestyles, and protects the best of the Detroit region for generations to come. WHERE WE’RE EXPLORING Absent a few outliers, Expedition Detroit’s content will exclusively cover outdoor recreation opportunities, retailers, events, policies, and stories occurring within a 1 hour drive of Downtown Detroit. Yes, this scope includes the entirety of Metro Detroit, plus Southern Ontario and the northwestern coast of Ohio. This geographic limitation is intentional on multiple fronts; not only do we recognize that a car continues to serve as the Motor City’s default transportation mode, but we are passionate about highlighting the immensity of outdoor opportunities that are immediately accessible in our region. Regardless of whether you’re a lifelong local, just in town for business, looking to squeeze in some exercise before a big event, picking up a new hobby, or simply looking for something new and exciting to do, Expedition Detroit will curate the best outdoor experiences for any interest or limitation that you may have. Check out our Destinations page for more information on the hundreds of outdoor experiences and locales that are largely hiding in plain sight. You may notice that the destinations within an hour’s drive from Downtown Detroit are not created equal - expressways, international border crossings, ferries, and other logistical hurdles can impact which locations fall within our criteria. Don’t worry, we’ll stay on top of our game regarding any changes that bring new destinations into our zone. Suggestions are always welcomed too. WHY YOU SHOULD PARTNER WITH US Truth be told, the general “Expedition Detroit” business concept is not a novel idea - similar enterprises have existed for decades in the world’s most famous outdoor adventure destinations like Colorado, Switzerland, Argentina, South Africa, and Nepal. What makes Expedition Detroit very unique, however, is that virtually no one in the global outdoor community views Detroit as an international gateway to world-class outdoor experiences. Our region remains uncharted territory for most adventure seekers. As we all know, when you first mention that you’re from the Detroit region to someone who has never visited here, their initial response is an “8 Mile” movie reference at best and an insulting remark at worst. Who can blame them - the mainstream media has broadcast the worst of this region for over 50 years, resulting in Detroit being largely neglected in every aspect other than its cars, music, urban blight, bad football team, and the recent renaissance of its city center. Here’s the good news: this region’s inconceivably undervalued outdoor ecosystem has an unprecedented opportunity to make an impact on the global outdoor industry. Regardless of whether you’re a trail runner, mountain biker, kayaker, hunter, hiker, bird watcher, or any combination of the above, you have surely experienced moments in our region that invoked senses of awe, adventure, and pride in our environment. This region is stunningly beautiful - you can see it when first-time visitors relinquish any preconceived ideas of Detroit during their jog through Belle Isle, paddle down the Huron River, or hike over the rolling hills of Pinckney Recreation Area. Simply put, the entire business plan of Expedition Detroit falls apart if our region’s natural environment doesn’t exceed expectations. Let’s just say that we’re not losing any sleep on that question. Where we do have concerns - and where you play a vital role - is in raising awareness of the importance of preserving our remaining wild places. Largely due to the neglect that our region has suffered, Detroit’s natural environment is vulnerable to industrial pollution, local retailers struggle against household name brands, and financial resources are diverted from conservation towards more topical uses. If the status quo of general neglect remains, Detroit’s outdoors will likely be sacrificed on the altar of urban sprawl and unsustainable development. In our democracy, the two most effective tools that everyday citizens have in their arsenal are their vote and their dollar. Here at Expedition Detroit, we strive to educate our community on the most impactful uses of both for effectuating change that improves and protects our outdoors. Our utility as a value creation incubator for Detroit’s trail networks, gear manufacturers, and advocacy organizations only succeeds if our community also embraces this passion. Don’t worry, we vow to do the heavy lifting on producing field research, guides, and analyses on the most important matters facing our greater region - we just hope that you will join us in any capacity on this expedition. Now that we’ve introduced ourselves, we’ll get back to the trail and circle back with new content to fuel your next adventure. We sincerely thank you for joining us so early on, and we hope that our content will bring lifelong value into your outdoor experiences. We can’t wait to see you out there.

The wait is over - Detroit's peak fall colors have FINALLY ARRIVED throughout the region, and there's no better trail to experience this season's beauty than along Pinckney Recreation Area's Crooked Lake Trail. As rapper E-40 so eloquently stated, "Everybody got choices." For Detroit's outdoor community, that simple sentence couldn't be more true for the month of October. Scratch that, the last two weeks of October. When our trails are brilliantly decorated in reds, yellows, and oranges. A fleeting, stunningly-gorgeous period where one can reasonably become recreationally paralyzed by the choice of whether to go for a run, paddle, bike, or hunt. Especially on a bluebird day. I found myself with such choices this past Monday. As I finished up my morning office work (yes, we in the outdoor industry do still have indoor offices), I recognized the recreational conundrum that lay before me. Every prediction software at my disposable gave the green light for every activity. My "Plan A" was to head to the deer stand, but man...a quick glance out the window showed that peak fall colors, at long last, had arrived. And, as any long-time Michigander knows, those colors could be gone in a matter of weeks - sometimes days if the winds pick up. Armed with recently-obtained knowledge regarding the Detroit area's 5 best trails for experiencing fall colors, I made a calculated choice to bail on the stand for Pinckney Recreation Area's Crooked Lake Trail. The #1 destination within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit for inundating your hike with autumn's stunning ambience. A baptism of seasonal color. The type of click-bait destination that outdoor influencers dream of. With the afternoon's trail selected, my GoPro fully-charged, and a weighted rucking vest loaded up, all that was left to do was hit the road and pray that my gamble would pay off. Despite my excitement, this recreational choice represented a gamble - a zero-sum situation where choosing to hike meant foregoing the hunt. With October's bounty of outdoor opportunity, there was a decent likelihood that I could end up regretting this choice. Fast forward an hour or so, I'm a few miles into the Crooked Lake Trail - mesmerized by my surroundings. The entire scene is bathed in golden light, both from the vibrant yellow leaves of the park's hickory trees and the late afternoon sun. My camera is pleading for mercy after its overuse while trying to capture the scene. Eventually I give up on it, surrendering to the realization that moments like this, in places like this, can only be fully-experienced in the moment. "This...this was the right choice." It is our privilege to reintroduce Pinckney State Recreation Area and its Crooked Lake Trail now. MEET PINCKNEY STATE RECREATION AREA The modern history of Pinckney State Recreation Area dates back to our last ice age. Truly - the park's dramatic moraines and kettle lakes that our regional recreationists love to hike, bike, hunt, and fish were formed within the Jackson Interlobate Range as the glaciers receded across the Great Lakes region ~10,000 years ago. Pinckney's recorded history, however, starts in the 1830s when George Reeves spearheaded the development of nearby (and obscure tourism favorite) Hell, Michigan. The land under the Reeves family's gradually grew until 1924, when the Reeves decided to sell it to a Detroit-based investment group which established a summer resort in the area. The State of Michigan finally acquired rights to the land in 1943 before formally establishing Pinckney State Recreation Area in 1944. The Pinckney of 2023 constitutes a paradise for the Detroit region's most rugged, comprehensive, and sought-after destinations for outdoor recreation. Outfitted with two of Metro Detroit's pristine backpacking trails - the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail and the Potawatomi Trail - on top of hundreds of miles of hiking, running, biking, and equestrian trails, Pinckney may take the prize as our region's top trail destination. Just within the Expedition Detroit content universe, Pinckney has claimed coveted places on lists including best stargazing opportunities, top-rated campgrounds, and crowd-favorite mountain biking and hiking trails. Oh, and we haven't even touched on the park's paddling, fishing, hunting, snowshoeing, opportunities yet. Now let's get to one of Pinckney's crown jewels: the Crooked Lake Trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 4.4 miles Elevation Gain: 324 feet Trail Rating: Moderate Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Parking available at Silver Lake Trailhead (northernmost parking lot; Michigan Recreation Pass required for parking) Any trip out to Pinckney State Recreation Area - and especially the Crooked Lake Trail - should never be attempted on a time-budget. For starters, just arriving at the Silver Lake Trailhead will invite you to linger along the beachfront as you take in the panoramic views of Silver Lake. They're truly stunning, and on a warm summer's day you could understandably spend all day just there. But you're not here for the beach - you're here to experience the best fall colors in southeast Michigan along the Crooked Lake Trail. To minimize the siren call of Silver Lake, we recommend parking as close to the Crooked Lake Trail's origination point as possible. Head to the northernmost section of the massive Silver Lake parking lot, locate the ornate, hand-crafted trail map sign depicted below, and hit the trail without looking back. The trail marker signs are fairly weathered throughout the hike, but fortunately the well-worn Crooked Lake Trail is very easy to follow due to its year-round popularity. From the trailhead, start by heading 0.2 miles across an expansive boardwalk and parallel to the southern shore of Silver Lake. There are a few pristine photo-op turnouts along this stretch - feel free to turn off on one and snap away to your heart's content (the cover photo for this article was captured at one of those side trails). At the 0.2 mile marker, turn right at the dead-end to continue along the "hiking route." If you're biking the Crooked Lake Trail, then turn left at this juncture. From this point, you will hike exactly 1 mile to the Crooked Lake Trail's highest point. The steepest grade comprises of an 11% incline at the 0.6 mile marker, but otherwise you will thoroughly enjoy the brilliance of fall colors that radiate stronger as you trek steadily closer to the trail's peak at 1,008 feet. You'll know that you're near the top when the terrain becomes slightly more arid and sandy. A bench waits to reward you for your 0.8 miles of consistent climbing. While your initial descent from "The Peak" only lasts 0.1 miles before another short climb, the relatively steep descent that follows provides a portal to one of the most beautiful and segments of the Crooked Lake Trail. You may be able to catch glimpses of the namesake Crooked Lake to the south, but don't miss the wildlife viewing opportunity as you cross over two of the lake's tributary streams. These 0.8 miles of "marshland hiking" will also make you glad that you're visiting in the fall vs. mid-summer - the mosquitos are non-existent at this time of year. That's a HUGE perk to fall hiking. Once you've crossed Glenbrook Road, you'll hike a 0.3 mile stretch that we've nicknamed "The Straightaway." While most of the Crooked Lake Trail's foliage comprises of the bright gold from Pinckney's bountiful hickory trees, The Straightaway features a mix of trees that diversify the color palate of your fall hiking experience. The Straightaway's plateau of elevation next to some of Pinckney's best maintained segments of forest also provide fantastic photo opportunities and general visibility around the trail. My personal favorite segment of the Crooked Lake Trail - especially during "golden hour" - undoubtedly is the 0.4 miles of hiking along the northern shore of Pickerel Lake. Kicking off at the 2.7 mile marker, this stunning specimen of fall hiking will absolutely kill whatever record pace you had going for you. Every time that you think you captured the perfect fall vista of the lake through the leaves, just wait until you take a few more steps down the trail - your jaw will drop yet again. To top this portion of the trail off, you will cross over another expansive boardwalk that provides the best bird watching opportunity along the trail. Rest along this boardwalk if you need to, because what follows next is a gorgeous - yet continuous - 0.8 mile ascent to the Crooked Lake Trail's second-highest point at the 3.9 mile marker. Beyond this "second peak," the good news is that the trail is all downhill until you reach the Silver Lake Parking Lot. The bad news is that this descent is steep - a 12% decline - so any hikers that are experiencing fatigue by this point should exercise immense caution along this somewhat treacherous final portion of the hike. Yes, you will undoubtedly be excited to complete your autumnal adventure by reaching your car, but please take your time, be safe, and enjoy the lingering 0.5 miles of the Crooked Lake Trail. EXPLORE THE CROOKED LAKE TRAIL WITH US THIS FALL! TIPS FOR RECREATION DURING HUNTING SEASON Fall in the Detroit region is primetime for outdoor recreation - yes, across the full spectrum of recreational genres. Hikers enjoying the brilliant canopy above them. Bikers ripping down leaf-covered trails. Paddlers navigating crisp streams. And hunters heading into the woods for to engage in one of Michigan's most revered recreational past times. Hunting and fishing - especially hunting - are undoubtedly the "black sheep" of the outdoor recreational universe. Here at Expedition Detroit, we have made it part of our core mission to familiarize our community with the immensity of conservational benefits derived from the activity. Beyond the lucrative value that the sale of hunting and fishing licenses provides to our state, the Michigan DNR heavily relies on the hunter engagement as a core component of their environmental management policy. That being said, we understand the jarring effect that hunting can elicit from non-hunters. Hunting inherently involves taking a life, which unsurprisingly does not sit well with a notable cohort of outdoor enthusiasts. Even just the sight of a firearm in today's political climate can cause an unnerving effect. Stated differently, fall in the Detroit region presents a potentially contentious timeframe when our region's favorite trails - like the Crooked Lake Trail - are shared by hunters and non-hunters alike. In light of the arrival of peak trail 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. Want to experience a guided hike on Pinckney Recreation Area's Crooked Lake Trail? Look no further! Book your next guided outdoor adventure with us today! The #TrailTuesday Series idea started as a recommendation from readers looking for a deeper analysis into the individual trails that define Detroit's vast network. One of our main goals for this platform is to produce content that reflects the outdoor interests and desires of our community, so please continue to provide us with your suggestions via our contact form or here in the comments!

Welcome back to our weekly #TrailTuesday Series! This edition explores two of the most controversial, diverse, beautiful, and fun trails in the Detroit region: Proud Lake's northwestern Loops 2 and 3. Join us as we explore the heights and depths of these battleground trails! It's 7:30 p.m. on a Monday night just off of Garden Road. The sun has just started to ignite golden hour. Nocturnal wildlife wipe the sleep from their eyes. Hoards of mosquitos mobilize for their twilight feast. A box turtle watches me skeptically as I descend from my truck. There's no one else at Proud Lake Recreation Area's equestrian staging area trailhead. After a flurry of biking activity over the weekend, the dust has settled on this remote section's trails. If all indicators hold true, then I should have 4.5 miles of pristine hiking all to myself on this beautiful late spring evening. You could not write a better script for a peaceful and rejuvenating hike. Then the signs appear, reminding me that I've arrived to the front lines of a decades-long war. Not an actual war of course - although the blood on your arms from dispatching ambitious mosquitos may dictate otherwise. Combat has yet to occur on these trails (knock on wood), but the northwestern stretches of Proud Lake have constituted ground zero over a trail-rights battle fought between the Detroit region's mountain biking and equestrian communities. The crisp, fresh signage posted by both the Motor City Mountain Biking Association and Proud Lake Trail Riders Association blankets the trails like military outposts. Riders following these signs serve both as sentinels directing their troops on where to ride and scouts ready to report the unpardonable crime of wayward trail use. As the war rages on between these groups, the trails remain uncannily quiet on this tranquil Monday night. My neutral hiking boots leave tracks in the dirt alongside horse hooves and bike treads. I may be hiking in the trenches, but after a few miles spent traversing these highly-coveted trails, I fully understand why both groups have dug-in for the long haul on this fight. These trails are stunning. The sharp climbs and falls of the variable terrain provide true exhilaration, even when hiking. The mature forests, dramatic ridges, and open grasslands yield panoramic vistas. Oh, and don't forget about the legions of wildlife that emerge right around dusk. More than enough beauty to make you forget all about the struggle currently defining these trails. And why Proud Lake has maintained its generational place as one of the crown jewels of Detroit's outdoor ecosystem. It is our honor to reintroduce Proud Lake State Recreation Area now. MEET PROUD LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA Those of you who have been following our content since last fall know that the Expedition Detroit team does not shy away from our love for Proud Lake State Recreation Area. Founded in 1944, the recreation area is named after the Proud family that originally farmed the countryside surrounding Huron River during the 19th century. The Proud Lake of 2023 consists of more than 3,000 acres, over 30 miles of trails, and several distinct habitats supporting the wildlife within its confines. In terms of recreational potential, Proud Lake undoubtedly represents a land of opportunity. Proud Lake has firmly established itself as a year-round outdoor destination due to the borderline-excessive amount of recreational activities that visitors can partake in despite the park's immediate accessibility to Metro Detroit's suburbs. While living in Downtown Milford, I visited Proud Lake daily for trail running, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, or hunting. I also frequently crossed paths with backpackers on the Chief Pontiac Trail, equestrians, cross-country skiers, and anglers. Yes, the park even has overnight camping facilities - my father used to make an annual pilgrimage to Proud Lake's main campground in the early 1960s with his youth church group. The main point is that Proud Lake has something for every one, especially during these peak warmer months when outdoor enthusiasts of all demographics flock to its trails and shores. Now let's get to the trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 4.5 miles Elevation Gain: 255 feet Trail Rating: Moderate Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Parking available at equestrian staging trailhead off of Garden Road (west entrance) - additional parking available on Garden Road (east entrance) across Norton Creek Bridge (Michigan Recreation Passport required) Setting off from the equestrian staging area trailhead, you find yourself firmly in horse country. The open field that the trail circumnavigates is filled with equestrian training equipment and other items that, presumably, are useful for horseback riding lessons or skills. Our point is that you should make your way through this brief section of the trail as quickly and respectfully as possible, remembering that all trail users must yield to equestrians. This golden rule protects you, the rider, and the horse. Heed it accordingly. One other word of preliminary caution - this trail gets bombarded by mosquitos during the summer months. We strongly recommend not only wearing insect repellant and long sleeve shirts/hiking pants, but also treating your outer layers with permethrin at least a day before hitting the trail. Permethrin is an insecticide that kills mosquitos and ticks upon contact but is regarded as very safe for treatment of recreational clothing (obviously apply outdoors and avoid direct contact with skin/eyes during application). Once you have completed your 0.2 mile journey through the equestrian training field, you will arrive at the first of several trail junctions along the route. Keep right up the hill to start your circumnavigation of Loop 2, the tamer and more exposed loop on your hiking agenda. Your journey along Loop 2 will consist of just under two miles of gently rolling hills, oscillating between dense forest cover with marsh views and sweeping grasslands. During the colder months of the year with less foliage, the trail's first minor climb provides for incredible views of the massive wetlands just east of the trail. This forested climb gives way to a pastured valley to your west - the ideal location for wildlife viewing at dusk and dawn. The trail does come shockingly close to a home at the 0.6 mile marker, so be sure to act respectfully for this fleeting segment if hiking with a group. Aside from this minor aspect of the trail, Loop 2 comprises of one of the most isolated sections of all of Proud Lake. Trail runners will especially enjoy this paradise of gentle climbs and falls, expansive views, enough tree cover to keep you cool, and ample exposure to warm you up again. The majority of Loop 2 - 0.9 miles - runs as a slight decline parallel to the railroad tracks. There are a few side trails that aren't technically a part of Loop 2 during this stretch, but rest assured knowing that as long as you continue moving south along trails located next to the tracks, then you're headed in the right direction. Avoid the "faux trail crossing" at the 1.6 mile marker; while this crossing does connect to Loop 3, it is hardly maintained and deviates materially from the route we're describing here. Trust us, you'll know when you reach the main railroad junction at the 2.1 mile marker (hint: look for the Chief Pontiac Trail orange marker). This should go without saying, but EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION WHENEVER CROSSING RAILROAD TRACKS. There is plenty of visibility here, so an oncoming trail should come as zero surprise to any trail user. NEVER TRY TO BEAT A TRAIN ACROSS THE TRACKS. Believe it or not, the trail isn't going anywhere. In fact, waiting for the train to pass should absolutely be utilized for a water break. Why? Because Loop 3 - commonly referred to by mountain bikers as the "Loop of Pain" - is next on your agenda. Once safely across the railroad tracks, turn right at the major trail junction that will immediately mark your arrival at Loop 3. Yes, the hills are coming, but Loop 3 generously allows hikers and bikers with plenty of time to acclimate with a 0.8 mile gentle ascent into the hills. While the first portion of this ascent also runs parallel to the railroad tracks - this time heading north - the last 0.4 miles comprises of one of the most pristine sections of forested ridge line trail that I've yet to hike in the Detroit region. Especially when you have the trail all to yourself. As you traverse the ridge line in a counter-clockwise direction, you will loop around one of the most beautifully maintained sections of forests throughout all of southeast Michigan. The views here are stunning - large, mature trees with virtually no bittersweet vines canvassed across several distinct "kettles" formed among the dramatic hills. I sincerely hope that you get to experience this either alone or with a small group of close friends - it's an ethereal, dare I say religious, passage of trail. After a slight decline as you come out of this idyllic loop, you'll finally meet "the Pain" starting at the 2.9 mile marker. You'll climb for the next 0.3 miles, with the steepest grade reaching a 12% incline. Fortunately the ridge trail remains dramatic throughout this portion, so you should actually thoroughly enjoy the sights and challenge of this climb. A nice summit of 1,031 feet at the 3.2 mile marker provides a much-needed opportunity for a water break. Hold on - you're not done yet. You may have just completed the longest sustained climb of the trail system, but just like the initial climb of a rollercoaster, this trail has a few minor climbs and drops to throw at you. For the next 0.3 miles, you'll traverse one of the most turbulent trails throughout the Detroit area, possibly even the entire Great Lakes region. Trail runners, this portion is especially for you - the three bipolar hills, complete with their sharp descents and surprisingly steep risings, will get your quads and calves burning in no time. This section used to consist largely of a sandy nightmare, but trail maintenance squads of recent years have dramatically improved the conditions for mountain bikers. To summarize, completing this segment of trail that's defined by these four hilltops is the single most fun hiking experience that I've had since launching Expedition Detroit. The sporadic, near-comedic terrain literally and figuratively keeps you on your toes throughout the ride - and yes, the trail most definitely feels like a ride. For better or for worse, once you're through the hilltops, then there's nowhere to go but downhill. The trail is far from being a direct shot back to the trailhead - you'll make a few turns to navigate south through open trail, then east towards the train tracks, before heading north again to reach the equestrian training fields. Nonetheless, a full mile of consistent downhill provides plenty of opportunity to recharge your legs, reflect on an amazing trail experience, and prepare for any other outdoor adventures that you might have line up on your Proud Lake itinerary. WEEKEND BONUS TIPS A visit to Proud Lake simply isn't complete without bringing your kayak, canoe, or paddle board. Gratuitously utilizing its prime location along the Huron River, Proud Lake maintains several ideal launching points for day paddles on the Huron. The Moss Lake Dam reigns as the crowd favorite launch point for accessing both the eastern and western stretches of the Huron, although the "Fishing Site" location just east of Wixom Road also provides a popular drop-in spot. For me personally, a favorite pastime comprises of paddling from the Fishing Site launch to Central Park in Downtown Milford. Along this 2.6 mile section of the Huron River National Water Trail, natural wetlands gradually give way to privately-owned shorelines. A series of bridges signal that you are indeed leaving the wilderness and paddling into the heart of the Village of Milford. Remaining highlights along this route include the historic Oak Grove Cemetery and passing through Milford’s historic Stone Arch Bridge. The route reaches its final destination at Milford Central Park immediately after crossing under the Main Street Bridge. Quick bonus tip - between the Stone Arch and Main Street Bridges, you will notice a few kayaks pulled off onto a concrete dock along a south shore hill. We strongly advise that you follow suit and have a pint or two with our friends at River’s Edge Brewery, aptly named for its direct link to the Huron River. Known by locals simply as “The Brewery,” we at Expedition Detroit are not only big fans of their beer, but also the active stewardship and conservation advocacy that The Brewery has engaged in towards protecting the Huron. Want to explore this trail for yourself but would prefer hiking or running with a guide? Look no further! Expedition Detroit proudly leads guided trips on this trail. Book your next adventure by CLICKING HERE! 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!

Brace yourself - the super bloom is coming! As spring continues to gradually reclaim its domain over Detroit's revitalized environment, here are the "Top 5 Outdoor Destinations" for experiencing the best days of the season. Wildflowers. Morels. Wetlands. Turkeys. And trails. Lots and lots of trails. When we think of spring in the Detroit region, that list forms the crème de la crème of our seasonal outdoor highlights. Regardless of whether you're heading into the trails to lose yourself amidst the soft green of freshly budding trees, ducking under a log in search of nature's most revered mushroom, or calling patiently in the early morning mist for that heart-racing gobble, our environment truly rewards its recreationists after waiting patiently during our coldest months. Plus, we can all agree that trails decorated in vibrant regalia - ranging from spring's purple and white to fall's orange and red - are the best trails. This may be the best part of all: we're still a week or two away from Mother Nature kicking off the real spectacle. The consistent heat and morning bird calls may have returned over Easter weekend, but current "leaf anomaly" data still shows most of the Detroit region remaining in pre-spring conditions. Several of our region's favorite trails are still shedding winter's lingering mud pits. Turkey season doesn't kick off until April 22nd. Morels will continue spawning into May, and wildflowers consistently bloom well into summer. Framed differently, this current "peak spring" weather is providing us all with a glimpse of the beauty and adventure that's to come. Rather than fighting through a stubborn winter, we have collectively been gifted extra weeks to start rediscovering our trails and waterways, while simultaneously planning for our expeditions coming later this season. That is where this article fits in - a "spring preview" to help orientate you towards the best experiences of our seasonal outdoors and where to enjoy them. Here are Expedition Detroit's "Top 5 Outdoor Destinations" for inspiring your spring 2023 adventures. 1. HIKING FOR WILDFLOWERS Destination: Nichols Arboretum | Ann Arbor, MI When to Visit: Mid-April through Early July Recommended Experience: Hiking the Nichols Arboretum Loop Trail Very few outdoor experiences will stop you in your tracks like stumbling upon a field exploding with wildflowers. A stunning array of colors - purple, yellow, pink, orange, red, and green - forming waves of vibrancy as a breeze gently moves them. You abruptly find yourself transported back to the Garden of Eden, or experiencing a small window into nirvana. A serendipitous witness to beauty in its wildest, purest, and most natural form. Less poetically speaking, wildflowers are rad. And out of all of the stunning destinations where you can discover them in the Detroit region, Ann Arbor's Nichols Arboretum consistently tops local lists at the best destination to experience the flowers in full bloom. Fortunately for wildflower wanderers, the Nichols Arboretum Loop Trail provides a convenient AND scenic route for enjoying this season's anticipated bloom just outside of the heart of Ann Arbor. The trail consists of a 2.7 mile loop that oscillates between the initial hills of Ann Arbor's northeastern periphery and the relatively flat banks of the Huron River. There are also many side trails that can be added onto this main loop if you're looking to further explore the beauty of "The Arb." Throughout your trip you'll come across countless species of plants and flowers, including rhododendrons, magnolia blossoms, hydrangeas, and many more. Don't worry about reading up on your botany before hitting the trail - there are educational signs posted throughout the route, so take your time, learn something new, and enjoy one of the Detroit region's most beautiful outdoor spaces! 2. HUNTING FOR MORELS Destination: Waterloo State Recreation Area | Chelsea, MI When to Visit: Late April through mid-June Recommended Experience: Hiking the Bog Trail For generations of Michiganders, spring hunting for morel mushrooms transcends simply being a"tradition" to resemble more of a "ritual." In fact, morel hunting has become such a widespread pursuit that the DNR has produced several educational and recreational resources designed to facilitate the tourism opportunity surrounding morel hunting. One of these resources includes the DNR's "Mi-Morels Map," which designates large burn sites in forested areas that are ideal for morel mushroom hunting. While there are several ideal morel hunting destinations highlighted by the Mi-Morels Map, Waterloo State Recreation Area tops the list as the only state area with three designated burn locations. Of those three locations, we cross-reference the Mi-Morels Map with a Waterloo trail map to determine that the park's 1.2 mile "Bog Trail" should provide hikers with the best opportunity to bag some prized and delicious morels. The trail is also relatively lightly used by Detroit's greater outdoor community (at least for now), so we highly recommend hunting this trail sooner than later. Remember: Morels found on public land are for personal use and cannot be sold! 3. RIDING WITH THE FAMILY Destination: Macomb Orchard Trail | Utica, MI When to Visit: All Spring Recommended Experience: Cycling the Trail The ice thaws, the weather warms, and scores of cyclists return to the Detroit region's vast network of paved trails. While our area is blessed with hundreds of miles of beautifully-planned trails to explore, the interconnected trail system forming "Route 1" of "The Great Lake-To-Lake Trails" provides the central vein of southeastern Michigan's entire recreational ecosystem. Although Route 1 crosses the entire State of Michigan from Port Huron to South Haven, the trail network crosses into the sphere of the Detroit region at Richmond, Michigan - the northern terminus of the beloved Macomb Orchard Trail. The 23-mile trail provides a slice of everything that outdoor enthusiasts of all ages and interests can enjoy. Starting from the southern terminus at the Clinton River Trail, trail users will experience a rolling, shifting landscape that starts among suburban neighborhoods and into vast open spaces, long tunnels of trees, quaint country towns, and, naturally, an orchard just south of Romeo. Other trail highlights include a unique barn covered bridge, wooded landscapes, stunning views over the Clinton River, and an eventual cumulation in the welcoming downtown of Richmond. Looking to tack on even more adventure to the day? The Macomb Orchard Trail also provides direct access to Stony Creek Metropark via the Stony Creek Hike-Bike Trail. This 6.1 mile trail further connects to several recreational outlets within the metropark, including mountain biking trails, Stony Creek Lake, and several natural trails. 4. ON THE TURKEY TRAIL Destination: Seven Lakes State Park and Holly Recreation Area | Holly, Michigan When to Visit: Late April through May Recommended Experience: Bird watching or hunting If fall is predominantly focused on the pursuit of whitetail deer, then spring is the turkey's time in the spotlight. Yes, for a sizable proportion of Michigan's conservation community, spring turkeys are infinitely more significant now than even Thanksgiving or Christmas. Thanks largely to the research and advocacy of organizations like the National Wild Turkey Federation and careful management by the DNR, Michigan's population of wild turkeys has consistently - and significantly - grown over the last 50 years so that generations of hunters and birdwatchers alike can enjoy observing this uniquely North American bird. While licensed hunters can pursue Michigan's turkeys in most state-managed areas, there are a select handful of state lands that the DNR has specifically anointed as suggested locations for prime spring turkey hunting opportunities. Several of these are in the Detroit region, but two are uniquely located within the same township: Seven Lakes State Park and Holly Recreation Area in Holly Township. Of these two destinations, Holly Recreation Area is especially well-suited for turkey hunting due to its 8,000+ acres, rolling woodlands, and open fields. Both natural areas are prime destinations for conventional birdwatching activities as well, both for wild turkeys and other rare birds. We will be publishing a specific article on the Spring 2023 Turkey Season soon, but in the meantime all prospective turkey hunters should review the DNR's 2023 Spring Turkey Digest. 5. DISCOVERING NEW PARKS Destination: Ojibway Prairie Complex | Windsor, ON When to Visit: All Spring Recommended Experience: Hiking the Black Oak Heritage and Ojibway Nature Center Trails As our seasoned readers are well-aware of by now, the "Detroit Region" that Expedition Detroit covers goes far beyond Detroit proper - as well as the State of Michigan. Our "within 1 hour of Downtown Detroit" crosses well into southern Ontario and into the trails, wetlands, and forests of our Canadian neighbors. Highlighting the amazing outdoor attributes of Point Pelee National Park has become a favorite past time of ours, as well as introducing new destinations like Amherstburg to our predominantly U.S.-based community. We're excited to expand our American knowledge of Canada's recreational landscape a little further here by formally introducing the Ojibway Prairie Complex: a collection of six protected natural areas within a 10-minute drive of downtown Windsor that are largely administered by the Ojibway Nature Center. Of these recreation areas - all of which are slated to form Canada's first "National Urban Park" in the coming years - Black Oak Heritage and Ojibway Parks are especially noted as sought-after hiking, trail running, mountain biking destinations for wildflower AND wildlife viewing. The Black Oak Heritage Trail is the longer of the two largely flat trails, stretching out to 5.6 miles. The trail is predominately utilized for mountain biking, so hikers and runners should travel in the opposite direction of bike traffic for safety. The area is also well known for its deer population, so dogs should be kept on a 6 ft./2m leash. The Ojibway Nature Centre Trail is significantly shorter than the Black Oak Heritage Trail, tracked at a whopping 1.6 miles. Don't underestimate the experience of this fantastic loop, however; Ojibway Park has rightfully earned its reputation as a premiere destination for wildflower and wildlife viewing, including vast variety of birds, turtles, and deer. This trail is far more popular for hiking than biking, so hikers will not need to keep an eye or two open as much for bike traffic while enjoying the trail. What are your outdoor recreation plans for this spring? Are there any destinations that we should highlight for the Expedition Detroit community? Let us know in the comments!

The weekend has arrived and campers all across the Detroit region are packing up to find their resting spots under the stars. Just in time for peaking camping season, here's our breakdown of the Top Five Campgrounds near Detroit. BREAKING NEWS: there are incredible campgrounds near Detroit. For most of our passionate following, this shouldn't be a surprise. In fact, almost all of the Detroit region's most beloved state recreation areas and Metroparks have at least one modern group camping location. The majority of the campgrounds may be best suited for "RV camping," but hey, at least you can still pitch a tent. That being said, a common message thread that we received while uploading our content from thru-hiking the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail read a little like this: "Woah, you can backcountry camp near Detroit?" "Yo! Since when do we have campgrounds?" "You can actually have these experiences in Metro Detroit?!" And, best of all: "Where else near Detroit can you camp like that?" Dear friends, that's where this article comes in. We've rolled our sleeves up to track down the five top-rated "rustic" campgrounds within the Detroit region. Destinations that not only preserve, but enhance the wilderness aesthetic that every outdoor enthusiast desires when looking to disconnect from modern society for a night or two. Especially when such pristine campgrounds are merely a short drive, moderate hike, decent ride, and - yes - expeditious paddle away. Here are the "Top 5 Campgrounds" in the Detroit region for this year's camping season: 1. BLIND LAKE CAMPGROUND | Pinckney State Recreation Area Number of Sites: 10 Arrival Logistics: Hike-In or Bike-In Reservable Dates: All Year Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees I have a confession: as I'm typing these words, I'm kicking myself under my desk. Why? Because last month I made a last-minute decision to bail on my reservation at Blind Lake Campground - the top-ranked campground throughout the entirety of the Detroit region. Forgive my insolence; it was Day 3 on the WPT, and I opted to crank out 14+ miles to finish the trail vs. spend another night in the woods. If I had completed this article a month ago, however, you can bet your bottom dollar that I would have stayed put for a Day 4. Located along the western rim of the quintessential Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area, the main allure of Blind Lake stems from its isolation from any main trailhead within Pinckney Rec or its surrounding parks. Any arrival at Blind Lake is earned either by boot or pedal (7 miles from the Silver Lake trailhead), so your night spent under the brilliant stars and by the lapping waves will be free of headlights and slamming car doors. Blind Lake's solitude is further enhanced by the gracious amount of space allocated between the sites, therefore ensuring as much privacy as a camper could ever hope for - especially when camping in the dead of winter (Blind Lake is the only campground here that offers year-round camping). The Blind Lake Rustic Campground is located about halfway along the 17-mile Potawatomi Trail. The campground is outfitted with a vault toilet, hand-pump water access, and fire rings. Only dead and downed timber are to be used for firewood. Advanced reservation required to book a site. 2. MURRAY LAKE CAMPGROUND | Brighton State Recreation Area Number of Sites: 25 Arrival Logistics: Hike-In, Bike-In, or Drive-In Reservable Dates: May 26th - September 3rd (only reservable for weekends) Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees Sorry to start this section with bad news, but unless you stop reading and book a site at Murray Lake Campground NOW, then you may have to wait until next season. Seriously. And yes, we know that Murray Lake's short "2023 season" doesn't even start for another week. That's how in-demand this amazing campground is. Located deep in the northern woods of Brighton Recreation Area, Murray Lake provides its fortunate campers with immediate access to the full spectrum of Brighton's world-class outdoor recreation opportunities. The campground conveniently sits right off of Brighton Rec's famous Mountain Biking Loop trail system, one of the three prestigious "Black Diamond" trails in the entire Detroit region. The campground is also a short hike from the even more famous Penosha Trail, consistently ranked as one of the best trails in the entire state of Michigan. And, of course, the campground's immediate access to its namesake Murray Lake means that you will be treated to a lakeside sunset by your campfire. Each site at Murray Lake Campground features a picnic table and fire pit. Other amenities include potable water and vault toilets. Advanced reservation required to book a site. 3. CROOKED LAKE CAMPGROUND | Pinckney State Recreation Area Number of Sites: 25 Arrival Logistics: Hike-In, Bike-In, or Drive-In Reservable Dates: April 1st - November 29th Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees If you're looking for a slightly more accessible - but still rustic - stay at Pinckney Recreation Area, then Crooked Lake Campground has the ideal setup for what you're looking for. Intrepid recreationists can still readily hike or bike into camp from the main Silver Lake Trailhead along the Potawatomi Trail, although Crooked Lake's 25 sites also accommodate car-camping enthusiasts. Although this attribute of Crooked Lake may detract from its "wilderness solitude" aesthetic a-la-Blind Lake, Crooked Lake has one key feature that makes it a massive draw for especially paddlers and anglers: The Fishing Pier. That's right - Crooked Lake features a fishing pier/boat launch that provides an ideal location for kicking back and casting a line or setting off towards a sunset over the waves. As fantastic as secluded, forested campsites are, there's just something ethereal about kicking your boots off after a long hike and dipping your feet into crisp, fresh water. Each site at Crooked Lake Campground features a picnic table and fire pit. Other amenities include potable water and vault toilets. Advanced reservation required to book a site. 4. ISLAND LAKE CANOE CAMPGROUND | Island Lake State Recreation Area Number of Sites: 2 Arrival Logistics: Paddle-In Reservable Dates: April 1st - October 31st Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees Spending a night at Island Lake Recreation Area's Canoe Campground should be on every local outdoor enthusiast's "Bucket List." Why? Well, for starters, the sites are the most limited to book out of this "Top Five" list. As noted above, there are only 2 sites available for reservation at the campground. The scarcity of the sites is fortunately diluted by a one night-maximum stay per reservation, but still...book while you can. The second reason - and far more adventurous one - involves how you arrive at your site. As you probably guessed, there's only one way in or out of the Canoe Campground: via canoe (or kayak/paddleboard). One would think that "Canoe Camping" would be an immensely common way to camp in the Detroit region given our plethora of water, but amazingly Island Lake is only one of four legitimate canoe campgrounds throughout the entire Detroit region. In other words, Canoe Camping remains a relatively niche method of camping throughout our region - all the more reason to book a site, pack up your kayak with some dry bags, and paddle down the Huron River to an unforgettable experience. Island Lake's Canoe Campground is located 0.5 miles downstream of the Riverbend Picnic Shelter launching point. Amenities include a vault toilet, fire ring, picnic table and grill. There is no potable water available, so please bring your own water or water filter. Advanced reservation required to book a site. 5. GREEN LAKE CAMPGROUND | Waterloo State Recreation Area Number of Sites: 25, not including the Green Lake Yurt Arrival Logistics: Hike-In, Bike-In, or Drive-In Reservable Dates: April 1st - November 29th for rustic sites; year-round for Green Lake Yurt Cost: $20/night, plus additional fees Last but certainly not least, we proudly present Waterloo Recreation Area's premiere camping destination, the Green Lake Campground. Located on the northeastern edge of Waterloo's expansive 20,000 acres, Green Lake marks roughly the mid-way point of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail and as such is frequented by backpackers, bike-packers, and car campers alike. The 25 sites in the campground overlook the idyllic Green Lake, including its golden sunsets and ample bird-watching opportunities. For our niche "glamping" readers, Green Lake also offers something special just for you: its regionally-famous, heated, open year-round Green Lake Yurt. The Yurt sleeps 5 people and comes outfitted with 2 futons, solar powered lights inside (lantern or flashlight also recommended), small table, propane cooking stove, and an outdoor grill. The Green Lake Rustic Campground is located near the DTE Energy Foundation Trail, Waterloo Pinckney Trail, and the Border-to-Border Trail. The campground includes vault toilets and a hand pump available for water. Advanced reservation required to book a site. This article includes Michigan camping insights published within Matt Forster's fantastic guide book Best Tent Camping: Michigan (3rd Edition). We couldn't recommend this book any more for our regional outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the Detroit region and beyond. What are your favorite campgrounds? Is there a particular "hidden gem" near Detroit that you have been camping at for years that deserves a special spotlight? Let us know in the comments!

The trees may still be blooming, but Detroit's primetime summer adventure season is just around the corner! As you finish planning which outdoor challenges will accompany your leisurely summer activities, these five best adventure challenges should absolutely be at the top of on your agenda. "The joy of living is theirs who has the heart to demand it. Life is a great adventure, and I want to say to you: accept it in such a spirit." When in doubt, always start an adventure article with a quote from our most adventurous president, Theodore Roosevelt. We say this not only because the man's personal journals and speeches remain a never-ending well for inspirational quotations, but President Roosevelt truly lived out every meticulous word of every profoundly motivational sentence that he ever penned to paper. Despite a childhood riddled with debilitating asthma, Roosevelt went on to climb mountains, row rivers, horseback ride for days on end, backcountry hunt, lead wartime charges, commit to "polar plunges" in the Potomac River, and even hold boxing matches in the White House. President Roosevelt owed much of his exploits in life to adopting what he coined as "The Strenuous Life" - a core belief that success comes not to the person who desires "mere easy peace," but to the person who "does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph." Here's the point of this brief history lesson: mixing in a healthy dose of "strenuous" challenges to your summer vacation plans is not only a good idea, but a presidentially-sanctioned fantastic idea. Summer in the Detroit region's outdoors provides an idyllic opportunity to grow as a recreationalist, athlete, adventurer, and - as President Roosevelt would attest - successful member of society. Don't get us wrong, leisurely walks on a beach or sitting in the stands at Comerica Park are fine ways to spend your summer days. However, if you clicked on this article, then you're probably not that kind of person. We'd bet that you've got a little of Roosevelt's spirit in you; a thirst for maximizing the adventure in your life, within our natural environment, while exploring the world-class outdoor opportunities that the Detroit region has to offer. We at Expedition Detroit are stoked to have you within our ranks. Now, let's get after these 5 best adventure challenges for this summer: COMPLETE THE METROPARKS TRAIL CHALLENGE CHALLENGE: Hike, bike, run, roll, or paddle across the 13 Metroparks to hit your trail goals and earn incentives along the journey TIMELINE: May 1st - September 30th Right in time for peak trails season, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks JUST announced their brand new Trail Challenge for summer 2023! Spanning the entirety of the Metroparks' 13 park system, this challenge encourages Metropark enthusiasts to log their trail miles, enjoy the parks, stay active outdoors, and meet their trail goals on their own time and pace. Better yet, the Trail Challenge isn't just for one recreational activity - participants can hike, run, bike, skateboard, rollerblade, or paddle across the Metroparks' vast network of paved, natural, and water trails to earn their miles. Here are the specifics: once registered ($25), you will receive a custom water bottle and passport with information on the Metroparks. Whenever you visit a Metropark, be sure to hit a designated Challenge Trail that features a specific "Trail Challenge" kiosk. Take a selfie at said kiosk and upload it along with your miles to the leaderboard. Each Challenge Trail that you visit earns a special badge on the online leaderboard, and at least 3 badges will further earn you a custom Metroparks insulated lunch bag. Earn all 13 badges and you will receive a 2024 Metroparks Annual Vehicle Pass so you can keep exploring the trails for another year! RUN THE G.O.A.T. TRAIL SERIES CHALLENGE: Complete 3 out of the 5 trail races within the G.O.A.T. Series TIMELINE: April 29th - November 4th Full disclosure, the G.O.A.T. Trail Series brings out the real competitive side of the Expedition Detroit team. Sponsored by our friends at RF Events, the G.O.A.T. ("Greatest Of All Time") Series comprises of competing in at least 3 of 5 trail races, spanning from April 29th ("Trail Weekend") to November 4th ("Bonfyre Trail Fest"). Runners are placed in either the "Sprint" or "Open" categories based on event distance, and are allocated points per race based on their results. At the end of the season, all runners who qualified for the G.O.A.T. Series are eligible to win special awards if they ranked as either the top three runners (by gender) for each of the Sprint and Open categories, or they collected enough "Leader of the Herd" points based on total race results. On a personal note, I absolutely love this Series. Despite the inherent competitive nature of this challenge, RF Events has perfected the art of creating the most inclusive, supportive, and fun racing environment that I have ever experienced. Plus, any opportunity to participate in competitive sports into your 30s and beyond represents an opportunity worth seizing. The first race of the Series has already passed, but with 4 remaining there's still plenty of time to register, race, and qualify for the Series. The next trail race is on June 3rd - we'll see you there! JOIN THE EXCLUSIVE HURON104 CLUB CHALLENGE: Paddle the entire Huron River National Water Trail from Proud Lake State Recreation Area to Lake Erie Metropark TIMELINE: Throughout 2023 There's only one way to earn a coveted place on in the Huron104 Club: launching at the headwaters of Proud Lake and completing a 104 mile journey down the winding, evolving, and stunningly beautiful Huron River to Lake Erie. Along the way, you will paddle through scenic destinations like Milford, Dexter, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Flat Rock as the trail's official "Water Trail Towns." The true allure of the water trail, however, is found in the exploration opportunities throughout the metroparks, state recreation areas, and other destinations that provide the natural scenery to its banks. The Huron104 Trail Registry lists the names of each successful adventurer that has completed at least 100 miles of the water trail within a calendar year. As of the date of this article, the registry only lists 14 names, so the exclusivity of joining this prestigious "club" provides even more emphasis to the rarity of completing this adventure challenge. Paddlers can complete the journey through either "section paddling" the trail - i.e. completing the entire water trail via intermittent sections throughout the year - or "thru paddle" via one continuous, over-night expedition. Thru paddlers should plan on utilizing the 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. Advanced registration is required for each of these campgrounds. RIDE THE MILFORD BIKE FEST'S CENTURY CHALLENGE CHALLENGE: Ride all 5 trail systems that are part of the Milford Bike Festival TIMELINE: June 3rd, 2023 June 3rd is going to be a big day in the world of Detroit outdoor recreation. As we've mentioned, the next event in the G.O.A.T. Series - "Flirt with Dirt" - will be kicking off at 7:30 a.m. sharp. But as the dust settles on Maybury State Park's trails, the action will just be heating up across five different trail systems surrounding the Milford area. And out of the hundreds of mountain bikers that will be riding as far north as Highland State Recreation Area and south as Island Lake Recreation Area, a select few will be accomplishing the crown jewel of the Milford Best Festival: the 100-mile "Century Challenge." Sponsored by our friends at the Motor City Mountain Biking Association, the Century Challenge involves completing a continuous MTB 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! The Milford Bike Festival isn't just ultra rides though. At its core, the festival represents a celebration of Southeast Michigan's growing 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 and features live music, complementary drinks, food discounts, and hundreds of your new favorite riding buddies. We'll see you there! CONQUER THE 52 HIKE CHALLENGE CHALLENGE: Complete at least 1 hike per week for a year TIMELINE: Throughout 2023 As you may have noticed by now, the beauty of these adventure challenges includes that these challenges are not mutually-exclusive. For example, paddling through several Metroparks along the Huron River National Water Trail as well as biking through Kensington Metropark during Century Challenge both count towards completing the Metroparks Trail Challenge. This final challenge is just as inclusive: conquering the virtual "52 Hike Challenge." For the uninitiated, the 52 Hike Challenge comprises of an annual goal to complete at least one, 1-mile hike, per week. Despite its name, participants can also complete the 52 Hike Challenge by logging their trail runs, snowshoe adventures, or even leisurely walks around your subdivision. The goal of the challenge is to gain the physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional benefits derived from consistent hiking - especially when accomplished at your own pace and in the great outdoors. The Expedition Detroit team actually completed the 52 Hike Challenge over 2022, prior to and during our initial launch of this venture. We utilized the challenge as inspiration to explore new parks, trails, and activities like snowshoeing throughout the Detroit region, including several that are new featured in our #TrailTuesday series. Better yet, we logged our "hikes" while competing in trail events like last year's G.O.A.T. Series. We could not more proudly endorse signing up for this incredible virtual challenge! Which of these outdoor adventure challenges are you planning on completing this year? Are we missing any other challenges that are already on your agenda? Let us know in the comments or contact us here for additional information!

Happy New Year, Detroit!! Now that 2023 has arrived in full regalia, here are the Expedition Detroit Team's New Year's resolutions, covering the most ambitious, exciting, and rewarding experiences that the Detroit region offers throughout the year. 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: each year, I find myself entranced by the allurement of a fresh start. Similar to an artist staring at a blank canvas, 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 routing your course through 2023, then I'll gladly adopt the "cliché" or "basic" label. I'm far from being alone in my sentimentality towards looking forward to setting new goals for a new year. In fact, the 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 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"); and 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 2023." 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 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 recent article on the Big Four, 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 Waterloo-Pinckney Trail Waterloo and Pinckney State Recreation Areas Last month, when I was on the ground conducting research for our "Trail Town Spotlight" article on Dexter, I struck up a conversation with a local outdoor enthusiast about Expedition Detroit. Naturally, our conversation shifted towards the most exciting and awe-inspiring outdoor experiences in our area. I tried to keep the conversation focused on Dexter, but she couldn't help spilling the beans on one very specific experience: "Whatever you do, please don't write about the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. It's our region's hidden gem!" Sorry, ma'am. I told you then that I would have to write on it - multiple times - because it's simply that incredible to be kept a secret. For the uninitiated, the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail is the Detroit region's sole, true thru-hiking trail (for the time being - ball's in your court, Iron Belle Trail). Typically backpacked from Waterloo in the southwest to Pinckney in the northeast, the trail is a 33.8 mile point-to-point hike (38.5 miles with campground diversions) that provides hikers with ample camping opportunities along the route. Hikers will gain 2,312 feet of elevation over the course of this hike, which usually takes between 2 - 4 days to complete. Mark our words: we will write a feature on this trail in the months ahead, possibly even a glorified installation of our #TrailTuesday series launching next week. Subscribers, keep an eye on your inbox! 3. Paddle the Entirety of the Huron River National Water Trail Proud Lake State Recreation Area to Lake Erie Metropark 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 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 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 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 a few months back, so I 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. 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 Last October, 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. We prefer our trails without wild, scavenging polar bears anyways. 7. Volunteer with "Friends" Throughout the Detroit Region 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. This year, 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 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, a natural haven within Belle Isle, 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. Oh, and did we mention that the medals are basically Olympic quality each year...? We're suckers for an amazing finisher's medal, and the Detroit Marathon never disappoints. 9. Actively (or Passively) Support Conservation Throughout the Detroit Region 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. Last October, 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. Qualify for The GOAT Trail Series Throughout Southeast Michigan Before I started my amateur running career during my senior year of college, I viewed the sport of distance running in a similar fashion as the masses that loath it: monotonous, boring, and brutally repetitive. I fortunately converted into the faithful of passionate runners, but even then my excitement for typical 5K road races waned pretty quickly. Moving my training runs from sidewalks to natural trails truly saved my passion (and physical capacity) for competitive distance running. I started researching the best trail races in the Detroit region; a few years and several races later, I can confidently state that the best trail events are hosted by our friends at RF Events. But wait, there's more. Last year, RF Events launched their inaugural trail racing series called "The GOAT Trail Series." In summary, the GOAT - which, for those of you that may have been living under a rock for the last decade, stands for "Greatest Of All Time" - comprises of competing in at least 3 of RF Event's 5 flagship races, spanning from April 29th ("Trail Weekend") to November 4th ("Bonfyre Trail Fest"). Runners are placed in either the "Sprint" or "Open" categories based on event distance, and are allocated points per race based on their results. 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, or they placed within the top three for their age group (also by gender). If you're looking to break into trail running in 2023 - or honestly just to lead a healthier year - then we could not more strongly recommend including the GOAT Series as a New Year's Resolution. For starters, you will be committing yourself to a running season spanning most of the year. The races occur in some of the Detroit region's most pristine destinations, including Pinckney and Waterloo State Recreation Areas and Maybury State Park. The trail running community is formed of fun, adventurous, and supportive people. RF Events pulls out all of the stops for hosting these races, including live music, bonfires, and ample post-race snacks. Oh, and did we mention that you can come home with some extra hardware and bragging rights..?? Not to toot our own horn, but the image above reflects our team's haul from this previous season (I actually won the 30-39 Sprint age group). I'll be aiming to keep that title this year, so I challenge anyone in that demographic to try and take the spot from me this season. Seriously. Bring it on. 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!

Born out of military boot camp training, the physical and mental benefits of "Rucking" is taking the recreational community by storm! Here's why you should definitely add hitting the trails with a weighted backpack to your offseason agenda this year. "You know what you should write about? Rucking. Seriously, man. Rucking." As I looked back at the kind-spirited man sitting across from me, I could sense the underlying sincerity in his voice. The subtly commanding tone inherited from decades spent serving in the U.S. military - and continued service with assisting veterans across the Detroit region. A gentle, yet tangible, nudge intended to offer a topical suggestion while affirming its validity. Fortunately for me, I didn't require any further military-grade convincing. Rucking - simply wearing a weighted vest or backpack while hiking - crossed the Expedition Detroit radar several times as a topic of interest before and throughout our inaugural year. Our interest in this recreational activity is hardly unique: rucking now has 16.8 million views and counting on TikTok under #rucking. Stated differently, what originated as a military exercise for acclimating soldiers to carrying heavy equipment over long distances has evolved into an international phenomena. A seemingly simple sport that science-backed data continues to reinforce the physical and mental benefits of participating in. And, dare we say, your next favorite offseason training activity. Friends, family, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts: meet rucking. BENEFITS OF RUCKING When I'm leading a guided hike, I try my best to make the experience as holistically interesting and enjoyable as possible for our guests. While that approach changes from trip-to-trip, the constants are (1) exploring the most beautiful and engaging trails in the Detroit region and (2) providing verifiable information about the destination and activity that we're embarking on. One of my favorite facts, applicable to each of our guided hiking, backpacking, and trail running experiences, is this: Humans are genetically superior than almost all other species at running and load carrying over long distances. That's right, naysayers (and Springsteen fans): you were empirically born to run...and ruck. Per Michael Easter's thorough research on the topic, the human body evolved over millennia to fine-tune its ability to run down prey over several miles, harvest the exhausted animal, and then carry it the same distance back to camp. This is exactly why the human physique of 2023 comes complete with two strong legs, springy arches in our feet, big butt muscles, a plethora of sweat glands, no fur, shorter torsos, and strong grips. Even more specifically, Easter argues that the human body is more inclined to ruck vs. run, due predominantly to mankind's more immediate needs to "distance carry" rather than "distance run" throughout our existence. So...how exactly does a Paleolithic-era genetic predisposition translate to current health benefits? We're so glad that you asked! Here's a breakdown of the core health benefits of rucking: Cardiovascular Fitness: Rucking isn’t just a leisurely stroll around your subdivision - it's a proven calorie burner that spikes your metabolism and helps you burn more calories than walking alone. Add in the elevation changes inherent to trail rucking and your typical trek elevates into a calorie-burning expedition. Low-Impact Exercise: Rucking constitutes a form of "Low-Intensity Steady State" training, which means it supports fat loss while having a low impact on your joints and connective tissue. Perfect for offseason fitness maintenance while recovering from the wear and tear of peak fall racing. Full Body Strength Building: While rucking won't immediately deliver the camera-ready results expected with weighted strength training, rucking strengthens both the shoulders and the lower body - particularly the upper traps, quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. The exercise also stabilizes your core, promotes the stability and balance of the muscles in your ankles and hips, and can even assist with promoting better posture. Fitness Level Flexibility: Regardless of your fitness level, you start rucking. Since rucking only involves the adjustment three variables – weight, distance, and intensity – the activity is easy to rev up or down based on your fitness experience, preferences, and goals. Mental Resiliency: By solely adding a weighted vest or backpack to your typical hikes, you will add a notable degree of difficulty to what was formerly a comfortable activity. Rucking provides one of the most effective - but manageable - means of increasing your resiliency and mental fortitude in the outdoors. Studies support that building up your resiliency through acts like rucking will translate into becoming more ambitious, handling stress healthier, and better performance across life's full spectrum. Simplicity: In terms of simplicity, you simply can't beat rucking. Pick a trail, warm-up, throw a ruck sack on your back, and go. That’s it. In summary, the verdict is in that rucking is naturally very, very good for you. So let's keep this trek moving by properly outfitting you for your next rucking adventure. BEST RUCKING GEAR Spoiler alert: rucking may have one of the lowest equipment barriers to entry of any recreational sport. If you're already outfitted for hiking or trail running, then you're just a purchase or two away from becoming a fully-stocked rucker. Our backpacking faithful may have already ventured into the sport without even realizing it. For anyone who is either brand new to rucking or looking to acquire rucking-specific equipment, here's a shorthand reference of Expedition Detroit's recommended gear: RUCKING BACKPACK Brand: QT&QY Tactical Training Rating: 4.7/5 Price: $35.99 Carrying Capacity: 45L The QT&QY Tacticial Training Backpack comes purposefully designed to facilitate your rucking training sessions - as well as any other backcountry adventures that you may embark on this offseason. Each backpack features waterproof fabric, breathable support, 45L capacity for weights and other gear, and ample webbing for attachments. All compartments feature high quality zippers with two-way openings, including the ability to lay 180 degrees flat for easy packing/unpacking. Weights are not included with the purchase of the backpack. RUCKING WEIGHTED VEST Brand: RunMAX Rating: 4.6/5 Price: $36.71 - $439.99 (price based on weight) Weight Range: 20 - 150lbs The RunMAX weighted vest has all the features that you'll need for an effective rucking vest. With a weight capacity ranging from 20lbs all the way up to 150lbs, you can modify the vest's weight by removing or adding the desired weight. You can also purchase shoulder pads with the vest extra comfort, and the best includes both a water bottle holder and phone pocket. RUCKING STANDALONE WEIGHTS Brand: Yes4All Rating: 4.8/5 Price: $22.99 - $78.00 (price based on weight) Weight Range: 10 - 45lbs The Yes4All Ruck Plates are the ideal standalone weights for packing into your go-to rucking backpack. Constructed of solid cast iron and covered with a black paint coating finish, these plates can stand for years without corrosion, oxidation, and rust. The plates fit seamlessly into standard rucksacks for superior stability. ADDITIONAL GEAR While the above items are the only "rucking-specific" gear items on our list, we also strongly encourage you to review our articles on two other important gear genres: proper footwear and night gear. For footwear, we recommend treating rucking exactly like backpacking - supportive trail runners for easier rucks, durable boots for difficult sessions. For night gear, always remember that visibility is safety. While your rucking backpack may be camouflaged, your headlamp and reflective gear should aim to undermine its covert qualities. BEST RUCKING TRAILS So now that you have your backpack or weighted vest, the next logical question is obviously "Where should I ruck?" Yes, you could obviously just walk out the door and ruck around your neighborhood for a mile or two. But come on...where's the fun in that? For our more expeditious readers - i.e., you since you're currently reading these words - we've highlighted three of our favorite trails for your rucking adventures. These trails are organized from beginner-friendly to advanced, so please explore them in proportion to your comfort level and ability. You can also utilize these trails as benchmarks for tracking your rucking progression. Most importantly, you'll be reaping the benefits of rucking, within three of the most pristine trails in the Detroit region, during a time of year where most outdoor enthusiasts opt for the treadmill. Here are our top recommended rucking trails: 1. MAYBURY STATE PARK | Northville, MI Trail Rating: Beginner-Friendly Trail Length: 3.1 miles Trail Elevation Gain: 127 feet Trail Orientation: Loop Maybury's family-friendly loop in the heart of the Detroit region has provided a hiking staple for generations. Fortunately for anyone interested in rucking, the oscillating terrain of the trail's multidimensional ecosystem is also perfectly-suited for introductory-level rucking. Maybury's panoramic forests, defined moraine ridge lines, and wildlife-abundant pond will keep you engaged throughout your first steps into this new sport - especially during this fall's peak colors season! BOOK A GUIDED RUCKING HIKE AT MAYBURY STATE PARK THIS FALL! 2. BRIGHTON STATE RECREATION AREA | Brighton, MI Trail Rating: Intermediate Trail Length: 4.9 miles Trail Elevation Gain: 393 feet Trail Orientation: Loop Ready to up the ante on your rucking sessions? Awesome, we've got the perfect trail for you: Brighton Recreation Area's famous Penosha Trail. Often hailed as Metro Detroit's best day-hiking trail, this ~5 mile loop beautifully features the full spectrum of our region's best natural landscape characteristics. For rucking purposes, however, the steady 0.5 mile incline striking at roughly the 2.5 mile marker will kick the organic benefits of hiking into overdrive when sporting your rucksack. Your legs may not be too thrilled with you in the middle of Penosha's 17% grade incline, but trust us - your celebratory post-hike brew at the Bishop Lake trailhead will taste just that much better when earned. BOOK A GUIDED RUCKING HIKE AT BRIGHTON STATE RECREATION AREA THIS FALL! 3. HIGHLAND STATE RECREATION AREA | Highland, MI Trail Rating: Advanced Trail Length: 14.7 miles Trail Elevation Gain: 1,309 feet Trail Orientation: Loop We're not going to sugar coat this last one: Highland Recreation Area's infamously adventurous A-B-C-D Loops are very, very difficult. Conquering any one of these loops - let alone all four at once - with a weighted vest or backpack qualifies as a feat worth bragging about. That being said, for Metro Detroit's most hard-nosed, intrepid, experienced, and resilient endurance athletes, this is the trail for you. The hardest of the Detroit region's three "Black Diamond Trails." An adrenaline-fueled rollercoaster of winding climbs, descents, rocks, roots, and bliss in Milford's northwoods. BOOK A GUIDED RUCKING HIKE AT HIGHLAND STATE RECREATION AREA THIS FALL! Note: Before beginning any new exercise program, you should always consider consulting with your doctor. Stop immediately if you experience any pain.

While the Detroit region experiences this gilded era of outdoor recreation expansion, certain projects stand out from the rest as especially newsworthy. The announcement of the collaboration between the Huron-Clinton Metroparks and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy represents one such ground-breaking development. Here's what you need to know. In a world that's constantly bracing against a barrage of bad headlines, Detroit's outdoor recreation industry may represent the sole safe haven of consistent good news. Even during the onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic, Michigan's public recreation spaces benefitted from a 30% increase in visitor traffic compared to 2019 figures. The outdoor recreation economy in Michigan grew an impressive 15.4% from 2020 to 2021, including the annual generation of $10.8 billion in value and 10,000 jobs across a wide range of occupations and skills. The Michigan DNR will receive $250 million in funding from the 2021 American Rescue Plan. The Gordie Howe International Bridge will directly connect Michigan's Iron Belle Trail to the Trans-Canada Trail. The Detroit Riverwalk has won back-to-back titles as the best riverwalk in the United States. New regional trail building initiatives, like the Border-to-Border Trail, Southwest Greenway, and the monumental Joe Louis Greenway, are being implemented in record timing. In summary, the outdoor recreation industry in the Detroit region is absolutely crushing the development game with these major wins. But wait, here's one more win for the good guys: for the first time in its 83 year history, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks system will have a presence within the City of Detroit. Transformation of the West Riverfront | Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park Development Last month's press release announcing the Metroparks' arrival to the riverfront resulted from nearly 8 years of behind the scenes negotiation, collaboration, and careful urban recreation planning. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy and Huron-Clinton Metroparks first started formally working side-by-side in 2015, launching limited programs aimed at educating thousands of Detroiters on regional wildlife and the outdoors. Five years later, the Metroparks and Riverfront Conservancy entered into a multi-year strategic partnership focused on widening access to new programs and recreation for city and suburban families. That November 2020 partnership initiative also included a commitment to leverage the world-class parks, greenways and public spaces maintained by both organizations. During the entirety of its relational progression with the Metroparks, the Riverfront Conservancy pressed forward with several other major Detroit Riverfront development projects, including a transformative project originally titled "Reimagine West Riverfront Park." The goal of this project? To "to transform the 22-acre West Riverfront Park in downtown Detroit into one of the most dynamic public spaces in the world." In 2018, the Riverfront Conservancy decided to rename the future park in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., whose namesake foundation provided a $50 million investment in the development of the park. With this influx of capital, the Riverfront Conservancy both expedited and expanded its planned development of the park. As currently projected, the transformative park will include dramatic design features like a "water garden"at the center of the park, an expanded and diverse shoreline habitat for avian and aquatic wildlife, rocky beaches, vegetated edges, some preserved sea wall, freshwater wetlands, plazas, indoor sport facilities, play structures, and a large event lawn called "The Hill." The two-acre "water garden" is where the Metroparks fit into the development. On January 10th, 2023, the Metroparks and Riverfront Conservancy announced that the water garden will officially be named the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Water Garden, covering 2.5 acres and featuring walking paths, seating areas, educational signage, and open-air classrooms intended to engage visitors. Why this Development Matters for Detroit If there's one takeaway that stays with you after reading this article, we sincerely hope that it's this: the creation of fundamental change is almost impossible without industry-wide collaboration, cooperation, and consensus. That quote from Simon Mainwaring could not be more representative of the paradigm-shift in our region's approach towards investment in the future of Detroit's outdoor spaces - especially at the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park development. Yes, we understand that the maintenance of a 2.5 acre water garden by a regional parks authority may not break across national headlines. But when you dig a little deeper into the larger of implications of this tangible development, the economic, cultural, and environmental ripple effects are staggering. Let's start by acknowledging the monumental influence and resources that accompany the Metroparks. On an annual basis, the Metroparks attract roughly 7 million visitors to their 13 parks, including the generation of $92.4 million in direct visitor spending alone. Additionally, a recent study by the Trust for Public Land also noted that the Metroparks provide the following - staggering - economic, environmental, and health benefits for the communities that the parks system operates within: $678 million per year in sales for sporting-goods stores. $68 million raise in property value of nearby residences. $62.3 million in recreation and health benefits to community residents. $30.3 million in annual stormwater infiltration value. $2.25 million in annual pollution control value. $903,000 increase in annual property tax revenue. $1,250 of average health savings per year for adults. Support for over 3,100 jobs. The Detroit Riverfront Conservancy also carries its weight in terms of spurring economic and community development along the banks of the Detroit River and beyond. During the first decade of the Riverfront Conversancy's riverwalk revitalization project, the project has generated more than $1 billion in public and private investment. As of the start of 2023, the Riverfront Conservancy has invested more than $169 million in the revitalization of the Detroit Riverfront, which now attracts more than 3.5 million annual visitors. This transformative power of the partnership of the Metroparks and Riverfront Conservancy goes beyond just maintaining and expanding a physical presence on the Detroit Riverfront. Since November of 2020, the collaboration between the Metroparks and the Riverfront Conservancy has also directly benefitted the lives of thousands of young Detroiters that otherwise may have never received access to life-changing outdoor educational resources. The two organizations have partnered on developing robust programming and joint outreach efforts, such as the "Swim in the D" program in which the Riverfront Conservancy, Metroparks, and the City of Detroit instructed 500 young Detroiters on how to swim. Ultimately, this headline represents that the Detroit region's largest players - including certain of its most influential investors - are doubling down on the future of our outdoor recreation opportunities. In a world inundated with terrible news, these announcements are worth acknowledging, celebrating, and supporting with all of the resources at our disposal. We are ecstatic about the planned opening of the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park in 2024, along with the economic, environmental, and social benefits that will support generations to come. Stay tuned, Detroit - our best days spent outside are just over the horizon. Interested in learning more about the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Centennial Park project? Head over to the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy's website to regularly read about Project and Construction Updates, as well as News Releases.

Welcome back to our weekly #TrailTuesday Series! This edition tackles the only "Black Diamond" rated trail within our series: the rugged and respected hills of Highland Recreation Area's "A-B-C-D" loops. Check out what draws Detroit's best mountain bikers, trail runners, and hikers flock to these alphabet loops all year long. "BEST DAY EVER." Those are the three words that I force myself to say - audibly - whenever I get back on my feet after flipping over the handle bars on my bike. Or losing an edge on my skis. Or tripping over a root during a steep decline. If you're not falling then you're not trying, right...? I couldn't tell you how many times I've said those positivity-reinforcing words since I started implementing the practice back in 2020. Let's just chalk it up to a lot. But what I can tell you, with absolute certainty, is that I have declared more "Best Day Evers" on Highland State Recreation Area's A-B-C-D loops than any other trail in the Detroit region - combined. If you've been following our content since we launched last fall, Highland's "Alphabet Loops" should be ringing some bells by now. We first introduced the A-B-C-D loops to our community in an article on the Detroit region's three "Black Diamond Trails," where we anointed this trail - and specifically its notorious "D Loop" - as our region's single most challenging trail. This trail system also made the cut for one of the "Top 5 Mountain Biking Trails," despite standing out as the only "Advanced" trail on the list. Here's the unadulterated truth: Highland's A-B-C-D Loops are intentionally very, very difficult. Which is why they are so awesome. There's a reason that Detroit's best mountain bikers, trail runners, and endurance athletes flock back to these hills for their ritualistic ass-kicking. Just like any intense workout, the Alphabet Loops will leave your body flooded with euphoric endorphins and all but ensure your return. Training for your first trail marathon? Running the Loops will virtually guarantee that you'll hit the trailhead in prime shape. Heading out west for a bucket-list MTB trip? Hit the Loops to dial in your skills. Looking to hunt within our region's least hospitable terrain? Loop it up. Before we get into the trail, let's reacquaint ourselves with Highland. MEET HIGHLAND STATE RECREATION AREA The story of Highland State Recreation Area, as we recognize and recreate within it today, dates back to an unexpected union of lands owned by fierce business rivals. In March of 1922, the Board of the Dodge Brothers Company authorized the spending of $350,000 to purchase lands across the northwestern perimeter of the Detroit region. These lands - now referred to as the "Dodge Parks" - were donated by Dodge to the State of Michigan for use as public parks in memory of the company's founders, John and Horace Dodge. One of these parks received the designation "Dodge Brothers State Park No. 10" in the northeast quarter of Highland Township. Over the following 20 years later, the Michigan Department of Conservation purchased several thousand additional acres of land to the east of Dodge Brothers State Park No. 10. The State of Michigan also acquired the area surrounding "Haven Hill"- the former Edsel Ford estate - in 1943. The aggregation of the Dodge Brothers parcels with the Ford parcels would amount to the 5,900 acres now constituting Highland State Recreation Area, the Detroit region's fourth largest state park, which officially opened in 1945. The Highland Recreation Area of 2023 consists of one of the most ecologically and recreationally diverse landscapes in the entire Great Lakes region. The park's Haven Hill Natural Area contains all of southern Michigan's principal forest types within its 721 acres, including swamp forest of tamarack, cedar, beech-maple forest, oak-hickory forest, and mixed hardwood forest. Beyond world-class hiking and mountain biking, Highland has also evolved into a recreational melting pot for our region's best equestrians, backpackers, kayakers, cross-country skiers, bird-watchers, anglers, and hunters. Now - let's get to the trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance: 14.7 miles Elevation Gain: 1,309 feet Trail Rating: DIFFICULT Route Orientation: Loop Parking Specifics: Parking available at trailhead north of Livingston Rd. (Michigan Recreation Passport required) While we typically write our #TrailTuesday articles for hiking, we've decided to deviate from that tradition in this edition for two reasons. First, the Alphabet Loops system is predominantly used by Detroit's mountain biking community, and we all owe our friends at the Motor City Mountain Biking Association a huge thank you for maintaining it so well. Second, our region's mountain biking community frequently finds itself as the target of unwarranted political maneuvers geared towards restricting - or eliminating - mountain biking access rights. So we wanted to stand by our biking brothers and sisters by especially framing this article towards their interests. The A-B-C-D Loops cover almost 15 miles of technical and tight single-track trails, filled with sharp descents, steep climbs, rock gardens, and lots of tight, off camber turns. The loops slightly vary in difficulty, with the A (3.5 miles) and C (2.2 miles) Loops being slightly easier than the challenging B Loop (5.4 miles) and dreaded D Loop (3.6 miles). Most riders take on just the A and B Loops for a heart-pumping 9.7 miles through the core of the course, although plenty of adrenaline junkies and admirable psychopaths will knock out the full system in 2 or 3 hours. The D Loop’s climb of 130 feet over roughly half a mile - including a 20% incline grade at certain points - is the crown jewel achievement of this punishing yet rewarding trail system. Trail runners, hikers, and cross-country skiers: please remember to traverse the loops in the opposite direction of the mountain biking traffic, demonstrated in the interactive map linked above. When you get to the trail's first fork on the A Loop at the 0.2 mile marker, keep right towards the D Loop Access trail. Moving in this opposite direction, runners, hikers, and skiers will complete the loops in the following order: A (partial), D (complete), B (partial), C (complete), B (remaining segment), and A (remaining segments). Final word of caution - even experienced bikers should not take on conquering all four loops lightly. Beginner and freshly-minted riders are strongly advised to ride with one or more experienced riders and tackle just a loop or two during their first visit to Highland. Bring plenty of water, take your time navigating these black diamond-rated trails, and wholly embrace the challenging onslaught that Highland’s loops indiscriminately unleash on us all. WEEKEND BONUS TIPS In case you tuned out earlier in the article, Highland State Recreation Area is an amazing destination for outdoor recreation. Beyond biking or running the Alphabet Loops, the varied natural terrain and topography found throughout its nearly 6,000 acres invites virtually unlimited methods of exploration. During these last days of winter, snowshoeing - or even backcountry skiing - along the trails flanking Mount Kanzer, Highland's highest point, is highly-recommended and intrepid way to experience the park. Highland's "mountains," which are technically glacial moraines, provide the varied hills beloved by runners, hikers, hunters, and wildlife alike. We're saving this trail for a later #TrailTuesday installation, but no trip to Highland would be complete without also trekking the Haven Hill Loop trail. Especially popular during peak fall colors, this 3.5 mile trail encircles both the Haven Hill ruins and the pristine Haven Hill Lake. Recreationists embarking on this trail will also be treated to a variety of shifting landscapes throughout the hike, ranging from lakeland shoreline and marshland to mature forests with panoramic vistas from the hilltops. Beyond the park, Highland offers visitors a full course menu of recreational options to satisfy your appetite. Our snow base is rapidly melting as I'm typing these words, so you should definitely get a few runs in at Alpine Valley Ski Resort - just 4.4 miles west of the MTB trailhead parking lot - while conditions last. Downtown Milford is also well within biking and running distance from the MTB trailhead parking lot, including the trail town's immediate access to Proud Lake State Recreation Area, Kensington Metropark, the Milford Trail, and the Huron River. 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!

SUMMER IS BACK!! With the floodgates wide open for amazing outdoor experiences near Detroit in June, we have nailed down these "Top Ten Outdoor Events" for kicking off your perfect summer this month! The Detroit region is, without a doubt, a summertime paradise. Don't believe us? Try moving away for a summer, as I did nine years ago when I spent May through early August living in Barcelona, Spain. Admittedly, that was a great problem to have - any time spent living in a foreign culture is time incredibly well spent. Here's our sage advice, though: don't think twice about doing it during primetime in our outdoors - unless you're planning on disconnecting technologically for the entire summer. Why? Because your social media feed and group chats will be FLOODED with your friends and family thriving in our natural environment. Beach days at our pristine lakes. Epic rides on our mountain bike trails. Trail brews after dense forest hikes. Campfires galore. And one of America's best summertime towns to play in after a full day spent recreating under the sun. Truly, friends - there aren't enough tapas or sangria in all of España to drown out the homesickness that summer in Detroit can unleash. And it all kicks off this month with a whirlwind of outdoor events going down in our collective backyards. Without further delay, here are the Top 10 Outdoor Events going down in the Detroit region this month. We can't wait to see you out there! 1. Commemorate International Trails Day with an International Hike June 3rd | Windsor-Essex, Ontario June 3rd, 2023, is going to be a "Day of Days" for outdoor recreation in the Detroit region. From races to festivals, adventure challenges to laid-back picnics, folks are going to be getting outdoors in droves to celebrate none other than one of our favorite holidays: International Trails Day. Since we have two U.S.-based events on deck for this holiday (spoiler alert), we'd like to focus instead on the events that our friends at the Essex Region Conservation Authority are promoting across the border. In honor of the ERCA's 50th anniversary, Canadian (and U.S.) outdoor enthusiasts are invited to venture into the Windsor area's parks and promote conservation through special sponsored hikes. For a minimum tax deductible donation of $25 (CAD) per person or $50 (CAD) per family, expert naturalists will host these hikes at locations across Windsor-Essex for unique guided experiences. 2. Flirt with Trail Running at Maybury State Park June 3rd | Maybury State Park | 7:30 a.m. Rise and shine, runners! International Trails Day has arrived and its time to flirt with your newest or oldest love: trail running in the Detroit region's pristine parks. Better yet, the team at RF Events invites you and hundreds of your closest running friends to hit the trails at their "Flirt with Dirt" 5K, 10K, and Dirty Duo events this Saturday morning at Maybury State Park! The Flirt with Dirt race events mark the second installment of RF Event's "GOAT Trail Series," one of our featured adventure challenges for Summer 2023. Don't worry if you missed the season opening back in April - "Flirt" marks only the second of five qualifying events for the series, so trail runners still have plenty of races left to make their mark on the leader board. We'll see you all at the starting line! 3. Celebrate Detroit's MTB Community at the Milford Bike Fest June 3rd | Milford, Michigan | 9 a.m. Sponsored by our friends at the Motor City Mountain Biking Association, the Milford Bike Fest and its legendary "Century Challenge" represents the largest celebration of southeast Michigan's growing 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 and features live music, complementary drinks, food discounts, and hundreds of your new favorite riding buddies. The heartbeat of the festival, however, centers around the completion of the Century Challenge: a continuous MTB ride that covers THE ENTIRETY of all five trail systems that are readily accessible from Downtown Milford. Yup, a total distance of over 100 miles in a day. These trail systems include the Milford Trail, Highland State Recreation Area, Hickory Glen, Proud Lake State Recreation Area/the Kensington Connector, and Island Lake State Recreation Area. We 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! 4. Run the Huron at the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon June 4th | Dexter, Michigan | 8:30 a.m. Yes, you read that correctly - primetime season for longer road races has FINALLY returned! This month, you have the opportunity to run one of the most beautiful courses in the Detroit region during the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon, also known as the "DXA2"or "Run the River" race. Setting off from the quintessential trail town of Dexter, this race runs parallel to the Huron River as the course meanders through Dexter-Huron Metropark, Delhi Metropark, Barton Park, and finally into the heart of Downtown Ann Arbor. The route follows the new B2B Trail and one of the most scenic portions of the Huron, so runners will be treated to some of the best 13.1 miles of natural running in the entire state. DXA2 also features 10K and 5K event options that run only along the Ann Arbor stretches of the Huron River. 5. Voyage Across the Metroparks Throughout June | Lake St. Clair and Oakwoods Metroparks This month, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks invite you to travel both back in time AND across the Metroparks' waterways in their 34 foot replica of a Great Lakes voyageur canoe! These guided paddles will occur intermittently at Lake St. Clair and Oakwoods Metroparks on June 9th, 10th, and 23rd. The experience will provide exploratory and educational opportunities regarding unique wetland habitats, European and early American voyageurs who paddled those canoes during Michigan’s fur trade era, and wildlife viewing for animals like beavers, muskrats, egrets, and swans. These paddles are offered during the day and select evenings, so you will get the opportunity to see varying wildlife and sunset views. Limited seating is available and all ages must wear a lifejacket. 6. Race Along the Detroit Riverfront June 10th | Cullen Plaza, Detroit, Michigan | 8:40 a.m. After a record attendance last year, the Detroit Riverfront Run is back and better than ever for 2023! Join our friends at the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy in actively celebrating their 20th anniversary with family-friendly 5K and 10K events. The race route will showcase the world-famous Detroit Riverwalk, William G. Milliken State Park, and the Dequindre Cut Greenway. All participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt, a participating medal, post race snacks, and other goodies offered at the event! 7. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve June 17th | Point Pelee National Park | 7:30 p.m. The days may be reaching peak length as we approach the Summer Solstice this month, but the stars at Point Pelee National Park - the single best stargazing destination in the Detroit region - are still shining as bright as ever! Point Pelee's "Dark Sky Nights" are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave near-freezing temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. 8. Embrace the Mud at a Tough Mudder Race June 17-18th | Oxford, MI | 8:00 a.m. There comes a certain moment in every race where you mentally give in to the experience. A "point of no return" where you realize that you're locked into running the miles, or swimming the laps, or pedaling up the hill that's in front of you. In military terms, this resiliency-building moment is commonly referred to as "embracing the suck." For Tough Mudder racers, you're forced to "embrace the mud" right from the get-go - and we strongly advise doing so with open arms and disposable running shoes. This month, Tough Mudder will host its sole Michigan event on the weekend of June 17th and 18th in Oxford at Koenig Materials. Runners can choose between 5K, 10K, and 15K events that feature obstacles ranging from ice pits, 40-foot nets, cage crawls, and, of course, lots and lots of mud. Embrace the mud. Live this unforgettable outdoor experience. 9. Prove that You're a Triple Threat at the Motor City Triathlon June 18th | Belle Isle Park | 7:30 a.m. Completing an outdoor race of any kind typically represents one of the crowning achievements of a month well spent. With a triathlon - especially at a destination as idyllic and well-suited for swimming, biking, and running as Belle Isle Park - you get a 3-for-1 special that's honestly a bucket list-worthy accomplishment. Anyone who's completed such a feat will back us up on this point. As the temperatures continue to rise well in June, treat yourself to an unforgettable experience by diving into the cool waters of the Detroit River during the Motor City Triathlon at Belle Isle. Believed to be the fastest triathlon course in the U.S., this race represents the perfect opportunity for seasoned athletes to obtain that coveted PR. There's also a duathlon option for this event (swimming omitted) that kicks off at 7:56 am. 10. COME EXPLORE WITH US! Throughout June (and beyond) | 11 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas After nearly a year of questions, months of negotiations, and weeks of web design/planning, we are ECSTATIC to announce that our brand new Guided Trips platform is FINALLY LIVE! 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 will have the field experience, wilderness first aid training, park knowledge, and outdoor passion that you can - and should - expect from any world-class trail experience. Yes, this is a shameless plug for our business - but in the immortal words of The Pointer Sisters, we're so excited and we just can't hide it! We will be gradually adding new guided summer trips over the coming weeks, as well as special trips like night hikes, photography-specific treks, and eventually guided snowshoe, mountain biking, and kayaking trips. So, stay tuned friends. We can't wait to host you on one of our trips soon! P.S. Subscribers to our content get discounts on our Guided Services AND online store items..... Do you host an upcoming outdoor event that you would like to be featured in a future article? If yes, then we would love to hear from you! Please contact us at info@expeditiondetroit.com to discuss Expedition Detroit feature opportunities.