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Gravel biking is taking the recreational world by storm - especially right here in the Great Lakes region. New to gravel biking? We've got you covered with our #ExpeditionEssentials ultimate guide to the best gear and trail destinations for gravel biking near Detroit! Photo courtesy of Coast to Coast – Gravel Grinder Go pound sand, pickleball : there's a new king on the recreational throne. I was actively jotting down notes at the Michigan Outdoor Summit last fall during a session on the future outlook of Michigan's adventure tourism economy. Lost in the influx of a gold mine of valuable industry insights, one of the panel's speakers uttered a quote that cut through the noise. "Gravel biking is the fastest growing sport in America." Or maybe he said Michigan. My frantic note-taking didn't capture every word. What my notes certainly captured - which has also reverberated throughout the outdoor industry over the last few years - is gravel biking's wave of popularity. And by "wave," we mean tsunami . As Expedition Detroit's mountain biking content soared over the past few years, we couldn't publish an article or post without a follower or subscriber responding along these lines: "You gotta publish some gravel biking content!" "Sweet - now let's see some gravel!" "Are you guys going to cover gravel biking anytime soon?" Fine ; twist our arm. We finally caved last spring and acquired a company-branded Canyon Grizl 7 gravel bike early last summer. You know, just to verify the hype. The hype is real. As real as it gets. I was hooked immediately on the sport, much to the chagrin ( or maybe relief? ) of my REI Co-op mountain bike . I found that my gravel bike unleashed the full potential of Detroit's blossoming trail system. Unlike the weight of my MTB and the fragility of most road bikes, my gravel bike provided the perfect balance of a lightweight frame and structural formidability to fuel 40+ mile rides. Going for a ride now meant having the ability to explore multiple trail systems in a single outing. To verify that Michigan is actually evolving into the "Great Trails State," with Detroit as its recreational capital. We even ventured "south of the border" to Thedford, Onatario to ride in the " Big Gravel Grind ," sponsored by the Bluewater International Granfondo . With a year of field work now complete, we confidently believe that our region's recreational future will prioritize gravel biking near Detroit. It's our pleasure to finally bring the fastest growing sport in America - or at least Metro Detroit - to our community. CRASH COURSE: What is Gravel Biking? You've definitely heard of road biking. Probably mountain biking too. So, let's start with the obvious question: What the heck even is "Gravel Biking?" In short, gravel biking is a version of cycling that involves riding a drop-bar bike on unpaved roads and trails, fitting somewhere between road cycling and mountain biking . In more technical terms, a " gravel bike " features a drop handlebar, longer wheelbase to ensure stable handling, more comfortable, relaxed geometry, wider (35 mm and up), often knobby tires to increase grip on rough surfaces; and disc brakes for powerful stopping in various weather conditions. Let's not overcomplicate the sport though. Gravel biking near Detroit has caught like a recreational wildfire due to several synergistic factors, chief of which being that the sport appeals to both endurance-heavy road cyclists and adventurous mountain bikers alike. Here's a summary of gravel biking's allurement: Multipurpose. From cruising on paved trails to expeditiously riding two-track backcountry routes, gravel biking bridges the gap between road cycling's speed and mountain biking's ruggedness - as well as perfectly facilitating multi-day bikepacking adventures. Variable Terrain. Beyond the crushed stones that literally define "gravel," gravel bikes confidently and efficiently ride over any variety of unpaved surfaces, with conditions ranging from smooth forest service roads to rutted out double track. Route Accessibility. Gravel biking has flourished in the United States - and especially Michigan - due to a third of our country's 4.1 million-mile road network remaining unpaved. Safety. Gravel biking provides an ideal alternative for cyclists that are tied to the pavement of main roads and beginner bikers looking to avoid the variables of mountain biking trails. Opportunities for Economic Growth. Beyond further product diversification for bike shops, small towns throughout the United States and Canada - especially in rural areas with largely unpaved roads - can now transform into idyllic destinations for gravel biking races. Here in the Detroit region, we are already experiencing an influx of recreational development geared towards gravel biking. Starting with our namesake city, Detroit's flourishing network of interconnected greenways - chief of which being the forthcoming Joe Louis Greenway - will supercharge the importance of biking throughout the city. Just over the border, the Windsor-Essex region is capitalizing on the global $135 billion cycling tourism market, including relaunching interactive biking maps, highlighting the trail connectivity of the Gordie Howe Bridge, and branding cycle tourism in the forefront of their campaigns. Gravel racing events like The Watermoo , De Ronde van Grampian , the Big Gravel Grind , and the Rode to Hell Gravel Race . Now that gravel biking near Detroit is here to stay, let's get you geared up for riding. GEAR UP: Gravel Biking Gear Essentials Recommending biking equipment of any kind is a dangerous game. Much like skiing or snowboarding, every rider is different, "gear heads" rule the trail, and any public opinion on the topic is subject to public scrutiny. If you're an experienced gravel rider with a tried-and-true kit, then this section is largely not for you. Feel free to skip ahead to recommended trails. If you're new to gravel biking or looking to upgrade your kit, then welcome - our research team has been expecting you. Let's get into it. GRAVEL BIKES 1. Grizl CF SLX 8 AXS Trail Brand : Canyon Cost : $4,699 Why Listed : Best in Show Technical Features : Superlight SLX frame and high-end Rudy Ultimate fork, this is one of the fastest, most capable bikes around on rough gravel courses Available in 2XS-2XL sizes. Weight: 20.82 lbs Material: Carbon 2. Topstone 3 Brand :  Cannondale Cost :  $1,119.93 ( currently on sale ) Why Listed : Best Value Technical Features : Built for chasing horizons, exploring routes less traveled or accelerating your commute, the Cannondale Topstone 3 is a lightweight gravel bike crafted from SmartForm C2 alloy with a full carbon fork Available in XS-XL sizes. Weight: 22 lbs 15.5 oz Material: SmartForm C2 Alloy 3. Journeyer Sora 700c Bike Brand :  Salsa Cost :  $999.93 ( currently on sale ) Why Listed : Best for Beginners Technical Features : Built for comfort and confidence on any road surface and equipped with versatile cargo-carrying options, the Salsa Journeyer Sora 700c bike is your gateway to all-road adventures Available in 49 CM and 51 CM sizes. Weight: 23 lbs 13 oz Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum HELMET Journeyer Sora 700c Bike Brand :  Salsa Cost :  $999.93 ( currently on sale ) Why Listed : Best for Beginners Technical Features : Built for comfort and confidence on any road surface and equipped with versatile cargo-carrying options, the Salsa Journeyer Sora 700c bike is your gateway to all-road adventures Available in 49 CM and 51 CM sizes. Weight: 23 lbs 13 oz Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum HELMET Persist Mips Bike Helmet Brand :  Smith Cost :  $130.00 Technical Features : Fast-paced lunch spin or long weekend ride, the updated Smith Persist Mips bike helmet is down for whatever you have in mind. And with the easy-to-use dial adjuster, you can get that just-right fit Available in S-XL sizes Weight: 11 oz Material: Polycarbonate PEDALS X-Track Gravel Edition Pedals Brand :  Look Cost :  $59.00 Technical Features : Get off paved surfaces with the Look X-Track Gravel Edition pedals. They're built with an aluminum body and Chromoly+, double-sealed axles that ensure a fluid feel through every pedal stroke Clipless design Weight: 450 grams Material: Aluminum Cleat design: 2-hole GRAVEL BIKING SHOES Men's: RX 6 Gravel Bike Shoes Brand :  Shimano Cost :  $180.00 Technical Features : Optimally balanced for stiffness and walkability, the men's Shimano RX 6 gravel bike shoes have carbon-reinforced soles that offer race-level rigidity for pedaling performance on day-long rides Available in 40-50 EU sizes Weight: 1 lb 3.3 oz Material: Carbon-fiber-reinforced nylon/TPU Cleat design: 2-hole Women's: RX 6 Gravel Bike Shoes Brand :  Shimano Cost :  $180.00 Technical Features : Optimally balanced for stiffness and walkability, the women's Shimano RX 6 gravel bike shoes have carbon-reinforced soles that offer race-level rigidity for pedaling performance on day-long rides Available in 36-42 EU sizes Weight: 1 lb 2.1 oz Material: Carbon-fiber-reinforced nylon/TPU Cleat design: 2-hole ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS The gear listed above is your bare-essentials equipment list. Beyond those components, the list of gravel biking accessories and customization is near-endless. That being said, we strongly suggest investing in proper safety equipment. That includes biking shorts with adequate padding , safety lights ( especially a rear light ), gloves, and riding glasses. Acquiring a mounted cycling computer will also fuel both your riding and fitness capacity. Photo courtesy of Recreation Equipment, Inc. GET OUT THERE: 5 Best Trails for Gravel Biking Near Detroit The Detroit region is no stranger to world-class cross-country skiing trails. In fact, most - if not all - of our Michigan State, Huron-Clinton Metropark, and regional parks feature top-tier cross-country skiing trails near Detroit. Our state's long winters, scenic forests, rolling hills, and notable demographics with Scandinavian ancestry lend itself to our winters' favorite pastime. If you're ready to ramp up your riding adventures for Spring and Summer of 2025, then here are the Detroit region's top 5 trails for gravel biking near Detroit ( according to AllTrails ): 1. DETROIT RIVERFRONT TRAIL |    Detroit, MI Distance : 9.8 Miles Elevation Gain : 118 ft. Route Type : Out & Back How could we not start our list of the best trails for gravel biking near Detroit with the #1 riverfront in America : the Detroit Riverfront Trail ! This ever-evolving, scenic, and amenity-filled trail provides an excellent out-and-back paved trail, ranging from Gabriel Richard Park across the Detroit River from Belle Isle to the forthcoming Ralph C. Wilson Centennial Park ( FINALLY opening later this year! ). Our absolute favorite aspect about this trail - and especially for gravel bikers - is that the Detroit Riverfront Trail connects directly to several other trails, including Belle Isle , the Dequindre Cut , the Southwest Greenway, and eventually the Joe Louis Greenway . EXPLORE DETROIT'S BELLE ISLE PARK YEAR-ROUND WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Photo courtesy of Paint Creek Tail 2.    PAINT CREEK TRAIL    |    Lake Orion, Michigan Distance :  8.9 Miles Elevation Gain :  62 ft. Route Type : Point to Point Explore Michigan's first non-motorized rail-to-trail: the Paint Creek Trail ! Open to the public since 1983, the Paint Creek Trail receives over 100,000 visitors annually. The non-motorized Trail traverses through Rochester, Rochester Hills, Oakland Township, Orion Township and the Village of Lake Orion. Approximately 8.9 miles long, the trail is built on the gentle grade of the former Penn Central railroad bed. The trail's 8-ft. wide, all-weather limestone surface makes it ideal for year-round activity. It's a place for non-motorized travel, a place to enjoy a quiet look at nature and scenic open space - and especially for gravel biking near Detroit. GEAR UP FOR GRAVEL BIKING NEAR DETROIT Photo courtesy of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island 3.   CHRYSLER CANADA GREENWAY TRAIL    |     Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada Distance :  28.6 Miles Elevation Gain :  288 ft. Route Type : Point to Point Oh, Canada! This cycling season, head south of the border to explore one of the top-rated destinations for gravel biking near Detroit: the Chrysler Canada Greenway Trail . The trail is not only idyllic for gravel biking, but also birding, and cross-country skiing in the winter . The 50 kilometer (~28.6 mile) Chrysler Canada Greenway travels through the heart of rolling Essex County and comprises the southernmost link of the continent-spanning Trans Canada Trail . STAY SAFE, DRY, AND SEEN WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT TRAIL GEAR Photo courtesy of the City of Auburn Hills, Michigan 4.   CLINTON RIVER TRAIL    |     West Bloomfield, Michigan Distance :  16 Miles Elevation Gain :  436 ft. Route Type : Point to Point The Clinton River Trail is a 16-mile long, multi-use, recreational trail extending through the communities of Sylvan Lake, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills and Rochester. The trail provides connections to several other area trails and is a critical part of two cross-state trails: the Iron Belle Trail running from Belle Isle to Ironwood and the Great Lake-to-Lake Trails Route 1 from South Haven to Port Huron. The trail has contributed to the health, vitality, and quality of life in the Detroit region since 2004. EXPLORE PONTIAC LAKE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Photo courtesy of Rails to Trails Conservancy 5.   POLLY ANN TRAIL   |     Lake Orion, Michigan Distance :  36.7 Miles Elevation Gain :  698 ft. Route Type : Point to Point The Polly Ann Trail is a 36.7-mile long, non-motorized trail extending north from suburban Detroit on a former Pontiac, Oxford & Northern Railroad corridor. The trail is managed separately by groups in Lapeer County and Oakland County, and the experience along the trail is vastly different in the two countie s. In Oakland County, the Polly Ann Trail has a crushed stone surface and runs for 14.2 miles between Orion Township and the Oakland–Lapeer County line. Along the way, trail users pass through the communities of Orion Township, Oxford Township, the Village of Oxford, Addison Township, and the Village of Leonard. Meanwhile, the Lapeer County section has largely more rugged, natural terrain - in other words, perfect for gravel biking near Detroit. EXPLORE ACTIVE WEAR PROVIDED BY EXPEDITION DETROIT This article contains affiliate links that align with Expedition Detroit's Disclosures Policy. This article does not constitute an endorsement by Expedition Detroit of any of the featured equipment or destinations for cross-country skiing near Detroit.

Summer in Detroit is BACK with open season for backpacking, gravel biking, hiking... and picking up a tick or two along the way . Have no fear - Expedition Detroit is here with an intro on our regional pest and steps you can take to stay safe from Lyme disease this summer! Summer is in full swing and Michiganders have taken to the outdoors to take advantage of guided hikes, lake-life, biking trails, and…… TICKS!?!   That’s right, folks. The beauty of Michigan summers is unmatched, but in accordance with the nature's balance of Yin and Yang, every positive unfortunately comes with some negative. For Detroit's outdoors, that means rising temperatures rise and active forest animals are accompanied by open season for ticks - and the diseases that they can carry . Now that more Detroiters than ever are flocking to our parks and trails, let's dive into a crash course on our resident micro arachnids and what steps we can take to enjoy a tick-free summer in our world-class outdoors. Where the Wild Things Are: Crash Course on Michigan's Ticks If you're keen on avoiding something ( or someone ), then step one is typically to learn where that something typically goes. Ticks often rest on leaves and grasses along well-travelled paths, where they hope an unsuspecting host will walk by and brush up against them. Once adhered, a tick may feed on host blood for minutes to days. As an anesthesiologist I must tip my cap to these little vampires. Their saliva can contain anesthetic properties which prevents the host from noticing any irritation from bites. As the tick feeds, it can transmit pathogens into the host bloodstream . Those pathogens are what we're most concerned about. During the transmission phase of a tick's feeding, ticks may transfer a litany of diseases like rocky mountain spotted fever , tularemia , anaplasmosis , babesiosis , Powassan virus disease , ehrlichiosis , and alpha-gal syndrome – a particularly terrifying disease where those affected become "allergic" to red meat. The most common vector-borne disease in Michigan, however, is Lyme disease . Backcountry Enemy No. 1: Lyme Disease  Lyme disease is spread by the infamous black-legged "deer" tick and caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi.  The disease may cause symptoms such as fever, headache, fatigue, and a bulls-eye appearing rash called erythema migrans . Left untreated, those affected may develop severe neurologic and cardiac complications. Lyme disease is most commonly treated with antibiotics, but proper treatment requires a thorough examination, diagnosis, and plan from a doctor.   If all of that wasn’t scary enough, I have more bad news – cases in the Detroit region are on the rise. There were 862 cases of confirmed Lyme disease in Michigan in 2021, which was over a 400% increase from 2016. Washtenaw County – home to several of our favorite parks – is particularly concerning in regard to its growing burden of Lyme disease cases. Here are a few startling figures: In 2023, Washtenaw County had 192 confirmed cases, compared to 17 confirmed cases in 2016. Of the 2023 cases, it affected individuals as young as 3 years old, and 22 people required hospitalization. There were disproportionately low Lyme disease case reports among ethnic minority demographics throughout Washtenaw County, although such findings cause concern for missed or under-reported diagnoses in residents of color.   Due to reporting bias and many individuals unable or unwilling to seek treatment, the real case numbers of Lyme disease in Michigan are likely much higher than reported .   Let's pause for a moment. The data concerning the growth of ticks, and severe tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, throughout the Detroit region is objectively alarming. That being said, there are numerous ways to help reduce the incidence of tick bites and their potential diseases. Since we have a vested interest in facilitating the growth and sustainability of our local outdoor community, we wanted to share our insights into how you can continue to explore deeper into our wildest places while mitigating exposure to ticks. Here are a few recommended means of doing so: Avoid Direct Contact Since ticks cannot jump or fly, they most likely won’t sneak up on you. Instead, ticks heavily rely on their hosts making direct contact as they trek through tall grass, leaves, and other foliage. As you explore Michigan’s wilderness, make an effort to avoid trekking directly through such flora. Safe practice involves staying near the center of paths and avoiding off-trail adventures. But let’s face it – sometimes adventure calls and we end up off-trail. In such scenarios, wear a wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves, pants, high socks, and closed-toed shoes. These items will serve as a protective barrier should a tick find its way onto your body, and allow you a chance to identify and remove the tick before it contacts your skin. Utilize DEET or Permethrin Skin repellents containing at least 20% DEET will help repel ticks. Clothing treated with permethrin with also repel ticks, and often remains effective after numerous wash cycles. The EPA has an excellent insect repellent search tool  to help you find a solution which works for you. Find and Remove Ticks If a tick finds a way on to your skin, do not panic. For starters, the tick may not carry any diseases. Additionally, it can take several hours to days before an infected tick is able to transmit pathogens to their host. So as long as you immediately and diligently check yourself after spending extensive time outdoors, then your chances of removing a tick before any harm is transmitted will greatly increase. Best practice for this "search and destroy mission" involves bathing or showering shortly after outdoor activities. Before or after bathing, use a mirror to check yourself for ticks and ask a partner for assistance if able. Parents should check their children, especially within hidden spots such as the arm pits, ears, behind the knees, near the groin, around the waste, in hair, and in the belly-button. If you find a tick, grasp it with tweezers  and pull straight up without twisting or jerking . Wash the skin site with soap and water. Then dispose of the live tick by submerging in alcohol or sealing in a bag. Resist the urge to crush a tick in your fingers. It is also safe practice to double check your gear and pets. Tumbling gear or clothes in the dryer on high heat for an hour will typically kill any attached ticks. Follow-Up with your Doctor If you develop a rash, fever, joint pain, muscle pain, or other concerning symptoms in the days to weeks following a tick bite, then you should immediately follow-up with your doctor. Make sure your doctor is aware of the timing and setting of your tick exposure. Here at Expedition Detroit , we love nothing more than seeing our community enjoy and respect our region's great outdoors in a safe manner. A key component of that mission is to boost your ability to hike, camp, bike, ski, hunt, and paddle for as long as you so desire. This article - really, all of our lifestyle articles - has been curated for that exact purpose. While our growing tick population is absolutely a cause for concern, informed recreation is your best first step towards enjoying the best outdoor summer of your life. So stay safe and healthy, Detroit - we’ll see you on the trail. HIT THE TRAILS WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Additional resources specific to Lyme Disease and Ticks in Washtenaw County can be found at the Washtenaw County Health Department , which served as a reliable resource as we prepared this article.   This article serves to educate but should not be used as direct medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional(s) before attempting to diagnose or treat any medical concerns.

No ropes, no worries. Live your next adventure in Metro Detroit exploring each of the "5 Summits" - Expedition Detroit's favorite destinations for hiking the most iconic hilltops near Detroit! There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering. All the rest are merely games. Those aren't my words, although I appreciate the hot take. No; those were spoken (likely after a Papa Doble or two) by Ernest Hemingway , the renown American author whose appetite for adventure rivaled that of Theodore Roosevelt. What's the commonality among these three true "sports"? According to Outdoor Research , simply because they can kill you. However, according to Hemingway scholars, these three endeavors mandate that one achieves the best performance that they personally can for success - or else face potentially fatal consequences. For us at Expedition Detroit , the beauty of mountaineering - or reaching any summit or high point - lies in the pursuit's binary definition of success. You summit, or you do not. Your body and willpower lead you to a place of prominence, or they do not. And, once such a feat has been accomplished, it can never be taken from you. You will have earned the ability to share your experience, guide others, or reflect back on a special moment in your life's grand journey. Simply because you did it. Will you experience breath-taking, snowcapped mountaintop sunrises within the Detroit region? No - we unfortunately are not blessed with such topography. However, the Detroit region is not nearly as flat as most residents and non-residents alike tend to think. I trained entirely for my Kilimanjaro summit along the rolling trails listed within this article, as well as several other rigorous trails like Pontiac Lake's MTB Trail and Highland's A-B-C-D Trail System . The net result? In part, the credibility to write this article. Summits and high points - no matter the altitude - are worthy of exploring and celebrating . From their geographic significance to remoteness to prominence along a favorite trail, reaching a summit should always warrant a brief moment to pause, take in your surroundings, take a sip of water (or trail beer), and smile. Because that adventurous moment, lived and experienced here in Metro Detroit, will forever be yours. Let's start the adventure. Here are Expedition Detroit's 5 Summits : the most iconic hilltops near Detroit. 1. Wayne Hill | Maybury State Park | Northville, Michigan Elevation : 990 feet Why Iconic : Highest point in Wayne County Summit Location : Red marker on top of moraine ridge Recommended Route : Wayne Hill Peak Loop Trail Imagine standing at "Sunset Point" on Belle Isle Park's western tip, right at the point where you can reach down and feel the crisp water of the Detroit River. At that exact point, you are standing at Wayne County's lowest elevation of 571 feet. From Belle Isle, if you were to cross the MacArthur Bridge, continue west along the Detroit Riverfront Trail and Southwest Greenway until reaching Michigan Avenue, continue towards Dearborn until finding the Hines Park Trail , and then keep climbing through Downtown Northville until reaching Maybury State Park , you will have traversed the entirety of Wayne County. Both geographically and topographically. Nestled deep within the rolling forest of Maybury State Park - just south of the Oakland-Wayne County border - stands Wayne County's highest point, "Wayne Hill." Although the lowest elevation on this list, Wayne Hill actually provides one of the best vistas out of the 5 Summits due to a deep ravine and sprawling wetlands located directly below its summit. While there is a short ( yet steep ) access trail that leads directly to the summit, its unceremonious red marker can be easy to miss. That is, of course, until we work with our friends at Maybury to install a prominent, permanent marker. Stay tuned. EXPLORE MAYBURY STATE PARK WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT 2. Prospect Hill | Waterloo State Recreation Area | Chelsea, Michigan Elevation : 1,150 feet Why Iconic : Highest point on the celebrated Waterloo-Pinckney Trail Summit Location : Stone/concrete marker at summit Recommended Route : Waterloo Pinckney Trail ( Pines Campground to Green Lake segment ) Every major climb, anywhere on earth, has one shared feature: switchbacks. Yes, the consistent zig-zagging can absolutely evolve into logistical annoyance once the summit comes into view. That being said, anyone who's attempted a straight-shot approach to the top can attest to how much these extra turns bless your quads. With enough summits, they become a welcomed sight for experienced eyes. That's why I let out a joyful shout ring out when the Prospect Hill switchbacks came into view along my 2023 traverse of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail . For the uninitiated, the WPT is the Detroit region preeminent backpacking trail, encompassing over 30 miles of rugged moraine backpacking. There are several high points along the WPT, including the famous Sackrider Hill (1,125'), although the highest point is the lesser-publicized Prospect Hill. Why did the switchbacks elicit joy? Two main reasons: (1) switchbacks signal that a truly, and relatively arduous, "summit" is within grasp and (2) t he Waterloo-Pinckney Trail shares common elements with every major, celebrated thru-hiking trail on the planet . That's worth a celebratory trail beer atop the hill's summit monument. 3. Pontiac Lake Peak | Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area | White Lake, Michigan Elevation : 1,154 feet Why Iconic : Remote high point of Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area Summit Location : Unmarked along ridge just south of Equestrian Trail Recommended Route : Pontiac Lake Peak Trail via Hiking Trail Some summits you need to work extra hard for, and not just in terms of effort. For Team Expedition Detroit , reaching the highest point of Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area - which we have taken the creative liberty of naming " Pontiac Lake Peak " - began several months ago. Due to its relatively remote and disputed location, we cross-referenced data from peakbagger.com and similar online forums to determine how to best discover and access PLRA's highest point in line with " Leave No Trace " principles. Our research uncovered that the park has two peaks that are located within a quarter mile of each other. One off-trail, the other directly on. We had no choice but to investigate. Which I literally just did. As I type these words, I am just a few short hours removed from standing atop of each of the "peaks" ( yet another testament to the accessibility of adventure within the Detroit region ). I hiked in for the sole purpose of pressing my Garmin watch , with its built-in altimeter, against the snow-covered hilltops to determine exactly which summit was the "true summit." Friends, we can confidently confirm that the true summit, Pontiac Lake Peak, is located along an isolated ridge just south of the park's Equestrian Trail. Unmarked ( for now ), near an oak tree, with 360º views during the offseason months. Don't worry - we created a 4 mile hiking route along Pontiac Lake's Hiking and Equestrian Trails that guides you to the Equestrian Trail Summit and Pontiac Lake Peak, including a Leave No Trace-aligned route to the Peak. EXPLORE PONTIAC LAKE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Mount Kanzer | Highland State Recreation Area | Highland, Michigan Elevation : 1,160 feet Why Iconic : Highest point of Highland State Recreation Area Summit Location : Concrete marker along tree just south of trail Recommended Route : Mount Kanzer via Milford Connector Trail Highland Recreation Area truly lives up to its name. Within the park's ~6,000 acres, there are several iconic moraine hilltops that could've easily made this list. Exploring Haven Hill (1,060') - the historic family home of Edsel Ford - is a quintessential Detroit region outdoor experience. Teeple Hill and its adjacent Peak 1083 both reach elevations of 1,083 feet. Last but certainly not least, Mt. Omich (1,139') constitutes the high point of the Chief Pontiac Trail's northern segment . Shockingly, the least famous of the aforementioned high points of Highland is its highest: Mount Kanzer. Rising clandestinely within the park's least-visited southwestern area, Mt. Kanzer reaches its apex at 1,160 feet (according to peakbagger.com and Strava). In the warmer months, Mount Kanzer is relatively popular with hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers - anyone looking for a cardio challenge in charging up its steep eastern slope . When the snow is falling, we strongly recommend Mt. Kanzer for snowshoeing or even backcountry skiing adventures . Oh, we almost forgot - we lead a weekly guided hike to its summit as well. SUMMIT MT. KANZER WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Kerr Hill | Ortonville State Recreation Area | Metamora, Michigan Elevation : 1,229 feet Why Iconic : Highest point in the Detroit Region's State Park System Summit Location : Unmarked; earth mound within forest near Fox Lake Rd. trailhead Recommended Route : Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loop Trail Ladies and gentlemen, this is it. We've done our homework. Scoured the Internet. Joined a peak-bagging Reddit thread or two. And, of course, laced up our boots to confirm . Kerr Hill : the highest point at 1,229 feet within the Detroit region's system of Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas. We're not crowning Kerr Hill the tallest point in the Detroit region. That title actually belongs to Mt. Brighton ski resort's prominent summit of 1,330 feet, and is followed by a handful of other privately-owned high points in Oakland and Lapeer Counties. But that's also what makes Kerr Hill so special - especially since the hilltop is located within the Detroit region's least-visited Michigan State Park . Kerr Hill constitutes a publicly accessible, prominent, and adventure-worthy destination that few outdoor enthusiasts have ever heard of - let alone conquered. As we highlighted in our recent #TrailTuesday, one should not find summiting Kerr Hill as a very arduous endeavor. At least not from the trailhead; the Fox Lake Rd. trailhead parking lot is approximately 0.1 miles from the forested area that contains the unmarked summit. However, we strongly encourage you to hike the entire Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loop Trail to truly experience Kerr Hill in all of its prominence. The final climb will get your heart pumping. We guarantee it. SHORT HISTORY OF DETROIT'S TALLEST RANGE If we were to time travel 16,000 years back, we would all be cold. Very, vey cold. In fact, we would find ourselves conveniently buried under a mountain of ice titled the Laurentide Ice Sheet that extended from the Arctic Circle to southern Indiana and Ohio. Over a 3,000 year period, the Laurentide Ice Sheet gradually receded into ice masses called "lobes," with the two most prominent lobes over the Detroit region comprising of the western Saginaw and eastern Huron-Erie lobes. Thankfully for our resident hiking, mountain biking, and downhill skiing enthusiasts, these lobes did not recede uniformly across the Detroit region . To the contrary, as the bulk of each of these lobes receded, any terrain caught in the "no man's land" between them found itself irrevocably transformed by the massive deposits of converged sand and gravel left in the wake of the receding glaciers. While the diminishing lobes flattened most of the Detroit region, this narrow strip of terrain with steep ridges, extensive hills, and " kettle pools " left by abandoned glacial deposits, remained a striking contrast against its surrounding swamps and grasslands. Map of the Jackson Interlobate Region; photo courtesy of ResearchGate GmbH This rugged landscape was further defined by the chaotic manner in which the lobes handled their multi-millennia retreat. The melt-back of the lobes was neither a continuous nor a steady process, including several periods of resurgence followed by short retreats, more advances, and more retreats. In the interlobate regions, where initial soil deposits from earlier retreats already presented obstacles for the path of any resurgent glaciers, these episodes meant that unfortunate deposits from intact glaciers were further piled on top of the growing hills in increasingly dramatic fashion. Most of the stunning Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas located within the Jackson Interlobate Range date back to 1943. Over the next 80 years, the rebranded Michigan Department of Natural Resources , the Huron-Clinton Metroparks Authority , and local municipalities collaborated to purchase and preserve hundreds of thousands of acres across this region. Thanks to such actions, recreationists crossing several generations have explored and appreciated the beauty of the JIR, and the region has continued to serve as the natural home for rare species and habitats. Want to explore the Detroit region's highest peaks and best trails with a guide? Look no further! Expedition Detroit proudly leads guided trips across 11 Michigan state parks and recreation areas. Book your next adventure by CLICKING HERE !

Spring's arrival includes a symphony of bird songs - including the coveted turkey gobble for Detroit's conservationists. Here is Expedition Detroit's breakdown of the locations, dates, equipment, and special regulations - updated for the 2025 spring Michigan turkey hunting season ! Imagine a perfect spring morning on your favorite trail. A pleasant 60º temperature with a bluebird sky backdrop, contrasted only by the budding greens, whites, pinks, and purples of the flowering trees. Wildflowers may already be sprouting through the freshly de-frosted ground, and the songs of migrant songbirds complete the background ambiance. One song breaks through the chorus - a distinct " GOBBLE, GOBBLE " that you had not thought about since November. Then you see them - a flock of wild turkeys steadily trekking through the woods, with a peacocking, puffed-out tom surely chasing down the hens. Maybe this is your first time ever seeing wild turkeys on this trail. Maybe it's the hundredth time. Regardless, the fact that you're actually witnessing that particular flock resulted from nothing short of a conservation miracle . A research-based, near-perfectly executed plan to preserve and manage North America's wild turkey population that was on the brink of extinction. And no, this near-catastrophic event did not occur in the 1800s or early 1900s like so many other mass-extinction events. We almost lost our wild turkeys in the 1970s . Here at Expedition Detroit , we firmly support the necessity of ethical, recreational hunting as a cornerstone component of the Michigan DNR's conservation mission . Beyond the revenue from hunting licenses providing a key funding source for the DNR's operations, the active management of wild species like wild turkey has led to a nearly 8x increase in their population and material preservation of their habitat. For this and many other reasons, outdoor ethics organizations like Leave No Trace have endorsed ethical hunting as a fundamental aspect of a healthy recreational ecosystem. April 19th is the opening day for Spring Wild Turkey Season throughout southern Michigan. With a few weeks to go, here's a "cheatsheet" for what you should know before heading into the field. 2025 Spring Turkey Digest Highlights Every spring, the Michigan DNR produces its Michigan Spring Turkey Digest that constitutes essentially the Bible on all matters Michigan turkey hunting. Here's a consolidated version of the Digest for turkey hunting within the Detroit region. When to Apply : Leftover licenses are available for purchase now via the Michigan DNR's website . Purchased licenses will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days after purchase. The Hunt 0234 license (see below) has no quota and can be purchased anytime. Season Dates : April 19th - May 31st for private land hunting within Unit ZZ. The public Units have a possible extended season through June 7th depending on each license's specific hunt numbers. Required Equipment : Hunters may use a bow and arrow, a crossbow, a firearm that fires a fixed shotgun shell, or a muzzleloading shotgun. It is illegal to use or carry afield any other firearm . With regard to camouflage, we recommended repurposing your bow hunting equipment for early Whitetail Deer season for Michigan's early spring conditions. Other recommended equipment includes turkey calls ( don't forget to practice before heading into the field ) and decoys . Licenses Required : Base License and a Spring Turkey License. The DNR has created a new "Hunt 0234" license available for use between May 3rd - 31st. This is a statewide, guaranteed spring turkey license that does not require an application in the conventional spring turkey drawing. With the Hunt 0234, you can hunt on both public and private lands in the Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula, as well as private land in Unit ZZ. Limitations : 1 bearded turkey per tag. Hunters are also allotted only one tag per season. Turkeys may not be harvested while roosting or sitting in a tree. Mechanical, electronic or live decoys are prohibited. Recommended Public Hunting Locations As displayed within the Digest , the entirety of the Detroit region is within the "ZZ" Unit - a multi-county, private-land only unit. Within the ZZ Unit "private" area, there are also three "public" area units that feature some of the best hunting destinations throughout the entire state. For the Detroit region, these public areas include Unit ZD and the southeastern portions of Units ZC and ZE. 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 Michigan 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 Michigan turkey hunting due to its 8,000+ acres, rolling woodlands, and open fields. Both natural areas are located in Unit ZC and are prime destinations for conventional birdwatching activities as well. ***NEW FOR 2025*** The Michigan DNR maintains a statewide " Turkey Tracts " program designed to highlight public hunting areas where intensive habitat management for turkeys has been conducted. These areas are designed to promote and highlight public access to quality turkey hunting, educate the public of ongoing habitat management and the impacts on wildlife and people, and build a connection with the users of the Turkey Tracts and local community businesses. Holly Recreation Area is the Detroit region's sole keeper of a Turkey Tracts designation site. EXPLORE HOLLY RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT TIPS FOR SCOUTING WILD TURKEYS If you're new to spring turkey hunting in Metro Detroit, don't worry - you're far from being alone. The resurgence of wild turkeys throughout southeast Michigan has lured legions of deer hunters and new hunters into the woods over the past few years (ourselves included). So if you're wondering where to begin when it comes to scouting wild turkeys, here's a short reference guide for your benefit: IDEAL HABITAT Scout for a variety of landscapes that provide for successful nesting, food, water, roosts, and areas for toms to display for hens within a close proximity. Look for fields, cutovers, open timber, creek/river bottoms, ridges, agriculture, cattle pastures, and grown up patches. WHEN TO SCOUT A few weeks before opening day - late March to early April. The goal is to get the lay of the land and learn the terrain as much prior to opening day, including searching for turkey tracks. KEEP YOUR EARS SHARP Identify a few “listening knobs” located at high points and drop pins. Find the highest point on the property that you're scouting - a place where you'll hopefully be able to hear hundreds of acres at a time. Get to that location well before daylight during the scouting weeks, and around daylight you'll hopefully start hearing gobbles, yelps, or "cawks." If you do, drop digital pins in the general area of those gobbles to create an inventory of turkeys to target. SIGNS OF TURKEY ACTIVITY In the early season, start by creek bottoms or other shallow bodies of water. Those locations are where the newest plants will green up first, which hens will find first while foraging. Look for tracks, droppings, and scratching areas ( resemble deer scrapes ) in the leaves. The bare dirt from turkey scratching will be exposed about the size of a dinner plate, and the leaves will be bunched up to one side. A roost tree should have a lot of droppings and feathers around its base. Wild turkey tracks Please note that this cheatsheet is only a high-level and supplemental reference to the Digest . The Digest also includes a broad range of very helpful and instructive information, such as legal shooting hours, information on lawful stands and baiting practices, and penalties for violations. Any further inquiries regarding applicable rules and regulations should be directed to the Hunting Digest or DNR at 517-284-WILD . You can CLICK HERE t o purchase any of the requisite licenses listed above. New to Michigan turkey hunting and would like additional resources? You're in luck. The DNR, Michigan Wild Turkey Hunters Association, National Wild Turkey Federation, and other groups offer wild turkey hunter orientation courses. A fee may be charged, and space may be limited. For details about events, visit Michigan.gov/Turkey . Expedition Detroit  is proud to partner with the Michigan Wildlife Council 's mission of encouraging Michigan residents to support ethical conservation by purchasing fishing and hunting licenses . We hope that join us in conserving Michigan's cherished wildlife this spring! Learn More about the Michigan Wildlife Council Best of luck this season!

April means spring, and spring means the return of prime time in Detroit's outdoors! As our trails, campgrounds, and waterways reopen for the masses, these " Top Ten Outdoor Events " will serve as your guide for navigating this month's super-bloom of recreation opportunities. Congratulations! If you're reading this, then you've successfully survived March , the purgatory of outdoor recreation in the Detroit region. Not quite winter. Not quite spring. Just... March . A turn of the calendar may not feel like much, but for the majority of outdoor enthusiasts in the Great Lakes, April 1st marks "Opening Day" for the great migration back to our trails. Hiking, trail running, backpacking, cycling, mountain biking, paddling, canoe camping ...even hunting is back on the agenda for April. Yes, you should probably acquire some rain gear and waterproof boots. But our wild places will be fully-open for business again this month, which is absolutely worth celebrating . In anticipation of the new world of outdoor opportunities opening up tomorrow, we sifted through the deluge of experiences to curate this list of the "Top Ten Outdoor Events near Detroit" for April. We can't wait to see you all again on the trails this spring! 1. Experience the Best of "April in the D" at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center Throughout April | Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit, Michigan This is NOT an April Fool's joke : spring has FINALLY arrived in the Detroit region, and there's no better way to experience the very best of "April in the D" than at the DNR Outdoor Adventure Center! In honor of the OAC's 10th anniversary, the Detroit Riverfront staple is hosting a litany of outdoor recreation-related events this month. Here's a breakdown of our favorites: April 4th: " Explore Archery " program that will give participants the opportunity to learn to safely handle a bow, learn proper stance and shoot several arrows. April 10th: " Pheasant Day " exhibit and guided walk along Milliken State Park in search of "the unofficial city bird of Detroit." April 12th: " Walleye Clinic " where participants will learn about selecting equipment, setting up poles, techniques for shore fishing, walleye fishing regulations, and time fishing along the Detroit River. April 26th: " Trails Expo " featuring local experts in hiking, biking, paddling and more. Learn tips and tricks for hitting the trails, then test out your skills in hands-on workshops. Photo courtesy of Fleet Feet 2. Seize the Day - and Night - at the Carpe Diem/Noctem Trail Race April 5th | Proud Lake State Recreation Area | 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The ice has thawed . The trails are (eventually) drying. The birds, blooms, and beauty of spring in Michigan's state parks and recreation areas are starting to return to full strength. Now is the PERFECT time to run Proud Lake's famous trails that you've missed all winter long! So perfect that you should run them twice... in the same day ...as your first trail race of the season. That's the hypothesis of the " Carpe Diem - Noctem " 10K and half-marathon trail race events, and we absolutely dig it. This dual time/multiple event extravaganza offers a variety of racing options for runners looking to burn up Proud Lake's loops for both their morning and evening runs. Plus, finishers will get to add one of the most unique medals that we've ever seen to their collection. Yeah, we're sold. EXPLORE PROUD LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Photo courtesy of Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership 3. Discover a Seasonal Wonder at Stony Creek April 6th   | Proud Lake State Recreation Area | 8:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Blink and they're gone. That's how we feel about the Detroit region's " Vernal Pools " - seasonal bodies of water that remain flooded for ~two months that provide a unique habitat for select non-fish species. These pools are found throughout our regional parks along the glacial Jackson Interlobate Range , including Stony Creek Metropark which is hosting a special "Vernal Pool Discovery" experience! Head over to Stony Creek to explore the full wonder of springtime in the park's vernal pools. You will experience frogs calling, salamanders migrating, and "fairy shrimp" swimming. The experiences includes a guided 1-2 mile rustic hike to explore the sights and sounds of the vernal pools up close. Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. one day before the program. 4. Run Out of this World at the Martian Invasion of Races April 12th | Dearborn, Michigan | 7:15 a.m. Once a year, Dearborn literally becomes the center of the universe : the destination for an intergalactic coalition of Earthlings and Martians. Each jumping to hyperspeed for cosmic journeys of 5K to full marathon-length expeditions. Regardless of whether you will be embarking on that all-important "one small step" for your fitness journey, or a "giant leap" towards conquering your distance running goals, the Martian Invasion of Races has an event for every outdoor - and outer space - enthusiast. 5. Fight Back Against Invasive Species at a DNR Volunteer Workday April 12th | Bald Mountain State Recreation Area | 9:00 a.m. Winter provides a double-edged sword when it comes to the beautification of our favorite outdoor spaces. On one hand, the clean slate of a fresh blanket of snow provides postcard-worthy images of untainted beauty. On the other hand, that deep powder covers a vast ecosystem of invasive plant species, which wait patiently until spring's revival to renew their assault on our wild spaces. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we're entering the latter of those two circumstances now. Fortunately for all outdoor enthusiasts, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has organized an official " Volunteer Stewardship Workday " to remove garlic mustard that threatens to take over Bald Mountain State Recreation Area's valuable woodland. Long-sleeve shirts, long pants and closed-toed shoes are recommended. Register by emailing Emily Leslie at LeslieE1@Michigan.gov . 6. Get in the Woods for Opening Day of Turkey Season April 19th | Throughout Michigan Turkeys in April...? For non-hunters, this inclusion likely strikes you as an out-of-place callback to fall foliage, unavoidable family arguments, and the Lions' push towards a playoff berth ( this season for sure ). For hunters, April is primetime to get back into the woods for spring turkey season . In the Detroit region, opening day officially kicks off at 6:10 a.m. on the 19th. Beyond the recreational enjoyment and plentiful harvest that turkey season entails, we also wanted to highlight the immense conservation value of regulated turkey hunting - often dubbed the " Greatest Conservation Success Story. " When the National Wild Turkey Federation was founded in 1973, only 1.3 million wild turkeys remained in the continent. Now, after 50+ years of careful conservation and management, there are approximately 7 million wild turkeys throughout North America . Science-backed conservation works, and we at Expedition Detroit are proud to support it. Both by getting in the woods and through our direct involvement with the Michigan Wildlife Council . We hope that join us in conserving Michigan's cherished wildlife this spring! Learn More about the Michigan Wildlife Council 7. Celebrate Spring in the Mitten at the Michigan Made Half Marathon April 26th | Milford, Michigan | 8 a.m. Michigan - the " Great Trails State " - is built for runners. From paved routes to backcountry trails, our state has been reimagined as a logistical paradise for runners of all genres. Especially right here in the Detroit region, where our network of interconnected trails continues to flourish like wildflowers in spring . Sounds like something worth celebrating, right? Our #ExpeditionPartner Running Venture  agrees - and has designed the perfect racing event for celebrating the art of running Michigan's trails. This month don't miss Running Venture's "Michigan Made" Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K event! Celebrating "all things Michigan," the races start at Central Park in Milford and run the paved Milford/Kensington Trail, as well as the dirt back roads in Milford before finishing back at Central Park. All participants will receive a custom race shirt, finisher medal, and complimentary refreshments. SAVE 25% ON YOUR RACE REGISTRATION WITH CODE " EXPDET25 "! 8. Kick Off Trail Racing Season at THE Trail Race Event April 26th | Pinckney State Recreation Area | 8:00 a.m. In full transparency, this may be the single event that we're most looking forward to this month for a few very subjective reasons . First, the " Road End 5-Mile " event was the first trail race that I ever completed and fundamentally changed my love, appreciation, and understanding of trail running. Second, " Trail " formally kicks off RF Events' " GOAT Trail Series ," a season-long trail running series where runners collect points to compete for a prestigious "GOAT" (Greatest Of All Time) title. Our trail running team has a ton of fun - and found some extra running motivation - while participating in the past three series. We'll see you all at the official starting line of the 2025 trail season! EXPLORE PINCKNEY STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT 9. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve April 26th   | Point Pelee National Park | 7:30 p.m.   The days may finally be getting lighter, but the stars at Point Pelee National Park  - the single best stargazing destination in the Detroit region  - are still shining as bright as ever!  Point Pelee's " Dark Sky Nights " are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave near-freezing temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. 10. Close Out April at a Backwater Bonfire April 26th | Oakwoods Metropark | 7 p.m. Most of the Detroit region's critters come out at night . We're talking mammals, amphibians, insects, birds - and, if adventurous enough, even humans. For such intrepid outdoor enthusiasts, the Huron-Clinton Metroparks invite you to hang out around a bonfire, make some s’mores, and learn about some of our regional nocturnal animals ! The "Backwater Bonfire" program will be entirely outdoors, lasting approximately 90 minutes around a massive bonfire pit at Oakwoods Metropark . The planned path surface to the bonfire area is sloped and asphalt. Pre-registration is required by 4 p.m. the day before the program. JOIN EXPEDITION DETROIT ON A TOP-RATED NIGHT HIKING ADVENTURE 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.

Looking for a change a pace for the last night of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend? We've got you - our initial installation of our #EmbraceTheDark Series shines a spotlight on the best stargazing destinations near Detroit. "Holy crap, Dan - you've gotta get out here!" Usually when my wife calls out to me from outside of a tent, red flags go off in my head. Animals. Intruders. Bugs. Something has inevitably gone awry on our backcountry expedition. Especially at night. But her tone last summer in the Colorado wilderness was different. You could sense the excitement - that she was witnessing something unique, ethereal, unnatural to our normal surroundings. As I came to discover moments later, she had discovered the unhindered brilliance of the cosmos. Nature's greatest light show. A perfectly starlit night with zero light pollution. Yes, we were camping in the heart of the Snowmass Wilderness of Colorado, hundreds of miles away from civilization. That complete absence of light pollution is unfortunately impossible to experience when trekking within a 1 hour's drive of a major international metropolitan area. That being said...nature remains indomitable. Just a few acres of unadulterated green space can create a noticeable decrease in light pollution. So, the Expedition Detroit research team (aka, yours truly) went to work scouring the best stargazing opportunities based on available clear sky charts and l ight pollution maps . Lo and behold, we found some gems hiding in plain sight. Perfect destinations for a starlit hike or romantic adventure. All within an hour's drive of Downtown Detroit. Happy stargazing, Detroit! Photo courtesy of Parks Canada 1. Point Pelee National Park | Ontario, Canada Canada’s smallest national park packs one hell of a punch for its size. One more accolade to add to its list is that Point Pelee National Park tops our list as the best stargazing opportunity in the Detroit Region, especially as you venture closer to its southernmost tip protruding into Lake Erie. Unsurprisingly, the Windsor Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated Point Pelee National Park as a “Dark Sky Preserve'' in 2006. The park hosts regular “ Dark Sky Night ” events throughout the year, with the remaining two for 2022 taking place on November 26th and December 17th. 2. Waterloo State Recreation Area | Chelsea, Michigan Not to be outdone by our Canadian cousins, Michigan’s State Recreation Areas on the western frontier of Metro Detroit also provide ample stargazing vistas. Waterloo State Recreation Area is the foremost American park in the Detroit Region for enjoying a starlit night, although light pollution from Jackson does start to creep in around the park’s southeast sections. We recommend reserving a campsite at Green Lake to get the most bang for the experience, although only the Green Lake Yurt will be available for winter stargazing expeditions (other camping opportunities are also available depending on the season). 3. Pinckney State Recreation Area | Pinckney, Michigan You may have noticed this trend across our research too, but whenever Waterloo appears on a “ Best Of ” list, Pinckney State Recreation Area isn’t far behind (or vice-versa). The pattern holds true here - Pinckney’s fortunate location on the western rim of the Huron River watershed also provides the park with refuge from the light pollution of Detroit’s adjacent suburbs. Again, we highly recommend incorporating your stargazing into a weekend camping or backpacking trip to the park (the 33.9 mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail over a long-weekend is our top choice). EXPLORE PINCKNEY STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT 4. Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge | Oak Harbor, Ohio The farthest destination on this list is absolutely worth the drive for its stargazing opportunities. The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge in northern Ohio is miraculously located between the severe light pollution epicenters of Toledo and Sandusky (rollercoasters and wilderness don’t tend to mix well). Although far better known for its wildlife viewing and year-round recreational activities, the 8,100-acre wildlife sanctuary provides fantastic opportunities to catch quick glimpses of both rare species and shooting stars. Note that while the trails are only open from dusk until dawn, the sanctuary’s regulations allow for hunters and anglers to enter the sanctuary 1½ hours prior to Ohio’s legal shooting time and 1 hour after the legal shooting time. In other words, you can double your chances at success by pairing a deer hunting trip with a side of star hunting. 5. Hudson Mills Metropark | Dexter, Michigan Last but certainly not least, Hudson Mills Metropark closes out our list as the sole metropark to largely escape suburban light pollution. While Hudson Mills is located in the same relative “dark sky zone” as Waterloo and Pinckney State Recreation Areas, its convenient location just north of Downtown Dexter makes the park easily accessible for an evening outing from Ann Arbor or Detroit. Be sure to attend one of the park’s monthly “ After Dark Series ” events for guided nightlife and stargazing opportunities, with the last remaining for 2022 occurring on December 30th. What are your favorite stargazing locations in the Detroit region? Did we miss any that you typically frequent (we'll try to keep it a secret)? Please let us know in the comments section below!

There's nothing like an early March snowstorm to remind Detroit that ski season isn't over! If you are looking to hit the slopes for the first time and need a helmet - or are way overdue for a replacement - then this is the article for you. Here are the best ski helmets for Winter 2023! Do you remember the last time that you thought about your helmet? I mean critically and thoroughly thought about your ski or snowboard helmet beyond that credit card swipe. Even just a quick review of its technical specifications, performance features, or functional longevity. Have no fear, friends - this article is not an Expedition Detroit community condemnation open letter. It's a gear review article , clean and simple. In fact, we're just as guilty of apathy towards our most important piece of equipment. Until very recently, that is . It's amazing how experiencing two direct helmet-to-tree collisions, while falling over 100 feet on double-black terrain in the Rocky Mountains , has an effect of bringing the importance of helmet qualifications to the forefront of your attention. If that scenario sounds oddly specific, well... yours truly lived through that exact scenario just over a week ago. I was fortunate enough to ski away with only jello legs and a slightly bruised ego ( on a related note, check your DIN settings ). If I hadn't been wearing my sturdy Bern helmet - or, God forbid, any helmet - my skiing days and/or life could have ended in those trees. Please don't wait until you're in a similar, extreme situation to give your helmet a second thought . To simplify any helmet-searching efforts, our team bunkered down and researched the best ski helmets for curating this list of the "Top 5 Best Ski Helmets" currently offered on the market. While all of these helmets contain the industry-standard safety requirements, each of these helmets also contain special features that differentiate their fit, comfort, style, and technical aspects from the rest of the market. You're going to like the way you ride in these buckets . 1. GIRO TOR SPHERICAL Brand : GIRO Rating : 4.7/5 Price : $249.95 Sizes : S-M-L Warranty : Limited Lifetime When it comes to protecting your noggin, compromising simply isn't an option. The Giro Tor Spherical Helmet is made for steep and deep conditions with the new MIPS® Spherical Technology™ that facilitates the highest level of protection. The adjustable ventilation allows you to maintain all-day comfort no matter the varying conditions, and the fit system helps make micro-adjustments a breeze even with gloves on. The new magnetic buckle closure is a one-handed operation that is easy to open and close. 2. SMITH NEXUS Brand : SMITH Rating : 4.9/5 Price : $325.00 Sizes : S-M-L Warranty : Limited Lifetime For the devout skier or snowboarder looking for premium fit, function, and protection, look to the Smith Nexus MIPS Helmet . A hybrid shell construction combines lightness and durability while maintaining a low profile (i.e. no bobblehead aesthetics here), and the helmet's features also include complete Koroyd® coverage AND MIPS for elevated protection. 3. PRET FURY X Brand : PRET Rating : 4.9/5 Price : $164.99 ( CURRENTLY ON SALE ) Sizes : S-M-L Warranty : One Year If anything is going to incite fury on a pow day, it's a hot, clammy, ill-fitting helmet. The Pret Fury X MIPS Helmet sets a new high mark for fit and comfort, with lightweight construction, the intuitive RCS QR Fit System, and breezy Level C Tuned Ventilation that allows riders to control airflow with a single lever. It's the go-to choice for Pret's pro athletes, and it deserves a spot on your dome, too. 4. ANON OSLO WAVECEL Brand : ANON Rating : 4.8/5 Price : $109.83 ( CURRENTLY ON SALE ) Sizes : S-M-L-XL Warranty : One Year Simplicity wins with the clean lines and versatile styling of the Anon Oslo WaveCel Helmet . An excellent all-around snow helmet whether you prefer to lap the park, explore the backside, or experience a little bit of everything, the Oslo WaveCel features a micro-adjustable BO A® 360 fit system that works in conjunction with the Fidlock® magnetic buckle and WaveCel® shock absorbing technology to give you ease of use and peace of mind. 5. SCOTT COULOIR TOUR Brand : SCOTT Rating : 4.7/5 Price : $161.95 Sizes : L ( Limited Remaining Stock ) Warranty : Limited Two Year For avid backcountry skiers and snowboarders, the Scott Couloir Tour Helmet provides a lightweight, uphill-ready helmet that eliminates any extra foam padding or fleeced liner that's expected for in-bounds skiing or riding. The helmet is designed to fit a beanie underneath for extra cushion or warmth, although the helmet also features comfortable ventilation. Bonus specs include a dedicated groove for headlamps and that 55% of the helmet's materials come from recycled materials, including its liner, straps, and vent plates. EXTRA LAPS Remember that when it comes to selecting a helmet - even one of these top-market best ski helmets - fit is the single most important factor . Sizing, weight, venting, padding, and adjustability are all key to finding the perfect helmet for you. While bonus features like audio compatibility and sleek designs are great additives, you should only purchase a helmet that is snug but comfortable. There should be less than 2 millimeters of space between your head on the helmet’s padding at a bare minimum. More seasoned skiers and riders: you should also remember when it is time to replace that trusted bucket of yours . In general, you should replace your helmet after (1) a single hard impact or (2) after 2-3 years of general wear-and-tear . Wearing a helmet beyond either of these events can lead to a reduced level of protection. Have fun and be safe out there, friends. Buying a high-quality helmet may be the single best investment that you could make towards the longevity of your outdoor pursuits. We'll see you on the slopes . Several winter gear retails are currently hosting "End of Season" sales on skiing, snowboarding, and other winter recreational gear - even though we are still in the prime of ski season. Check out industry-leading retailers like REI , Backcountry , and others to capitalize on these sales!

Don't be fooling around this April 1st! Several Michigan alcohol restrictions kick in with the turn of the calendar. Don't worry, Detroit trail beer enthusiasts - here's your ultimate guide on how to responsibility - and lawfully - enjoy that crisp, well-deserved post-trail beer! Photo courtesy of River's Edge Brewing Company What do St. Patrick's Day, Game Day, Opening Day, and a "Trail Day" all have in common? They are all best experienced with at least one ice-cold beer . That is not just our opinion; we at Expedition Detroit stand by that statement as an empirical fact, especially when it comes to the outdoors. We're only half kidding here - there's a decent amount of research supporting that a post-hike beer can actually provide certain health benefits . Scientific evidence supports that drinking a limited quantity of beer (i.e., one beer) after a hike, run, or paddle may benefit you by replenishing glycogen stores for endurance, supporting bone and connective tissue regeneration, causing a slight reduction of cardiovascular risk, and promoting neurological longevity benefits. Yeah. We're serious. While the health benefits of beer may still be subject to debate, the symbiotic relationship between the outdoor recreation and craft brewing industries is a tangible, undeniable fact. For many outdoor enthusiasts, it’s practically assumed that a day spent on the trails or slopes will conclude at a local brewpub. Don't believe us? Stop by River's Edge Brewery in Downtown Milford on a Saturday between April and November and try to count the mountain bikes or kayaks on full display in the parking lot. More importantly, breweries are often on the front lines of environmental conservation and advocacy. Local and national craft beer companies consistently spearhead grassroots campaign s and benefits for natural resource protection, including Bell's annual " Go Where the Trail Leads You " fundraiser for the completion of the North Country National Scenic Trail . Here's our point: beer is best consumed within and in defense of nature . However, as some of us may have found out the hard way, some of our state and community parks don't always permit the consumption of alcohol ( a few major changes for 2025 too! ). That's where this guide comes in handy: a comprehensive cheatsheet so that you can plan on where and when to crack that post-trail lid . Cheers! Photo courtesy of Short's Brewing Company MICHIGAN STATE PARKS AND RECREATION AREAS Each of Michigan's pristine state parks and recreation areas vary in size, natural features, and world-class recreational opportunities. Unfortunately for beer enthusiasts, our state lands in the Detroit area also vary in their alcohol rules, regulations, and policies . Here is a high-level summary for each of our region's state parks and recreation areas. OPEN FOR CONSUMPTION* Legal to possess or consume alcohol without restrictions in the following locations: Algonac State Park Bald Mountain State Recreation Area Highland State Recreation Area Ortonville State Recreation Area Waterloo State Recreation Area Wetzel State Recreation Area EXPLORE HIGHLAND STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT LIMITED LIBATIONS - April 1st through Labor Day It is illegal to possess or consume alcohol in the following locations: Brighton Recreation Area : Bishop Lake day-use area (April 1 through September 30th ) Holly Recreation Area : Day-use areas south of McGinnis Road. Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area Pinckney Recreation Area : Rented shelters in the Silver Lake and Halfmoon day-use areas, as well as within .25 miles of Pickerel Lake day-use area Proud Lake Recreation Area : Day-use areas east of Wixom Road. Seven Lakes State Park William C. Sterling State Park : Day-use areas. HIKE BRIGHTON'S FAMOUS PENOSHA TRAIL WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT ZERO BOOZE ZONE It is illegal to possess or consume alcohol in any of the following locations: Belle Isle Park Dodg e #4 State Park Island Lake Recreation Area (except for rented picnic shelters) Maybury State Park Pontiac Lake State Recreation Area (only prohibited in day-use areas within park) William G. Milliken State Park and Harbor *must be 21 years of age or older to possess or consume alcohol. DISCOVER MAYBURY STATE PARK WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT Photo courtesy of the Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority HURON-CLINTON METROPARKS The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority - the governmental body that administers the Metroparks' fantastic 13 destinations - has made our job very easy by publishing rules and regulations that cover the entire Metropark system. For alcohol, only beer and wine may be consumed in picnic areas or other areas specifically designated by the Metroparks. Stated differently, the default rule for the Metroparks is that alcohol is not permitted unless: within a picnic area, or in a specifically-designated area. For obvious reasons, the Metroparks also prohibit the possession of any alcoholic beverages in any closed-off area of the parks. So let's all collectively agree to not be that guy . Thanks. Photo courtesy of OpenWeb Technologies Ltd. COUNTY PARKS In general, the " default rule " for consumption of alcohol within Michigan's public parks is that such recreational methods are permissible. That being said, the law providing such admissibility also includes fairly large exceptions for anti-consumption ordinances implemented by local governments or agency regulations. The following rules and regulations apply to parks that are administered by the Detroit region's various county parks and recreation departments : Livingston County General Rule : There are no apparent restrictions on the consumption of alcohol within Livingston County parks. Macomb County General Rule : Rules and regulations are administered by municipal parks and recreation departments. Monroe County General Rule : There are no apparent restrictions on the consumption of alcohol within Monroe County parks. Oakland County General Rule : Alcoholic beverages may be brought into and consumed within Oakland County parks. Exceptions : No alcohol may be possessed or consumed at dog parks, waterparks, waterpark parking lots, concession areas, golf courses (other than Red Oaks), banquet facilities, or other areas specifically prohibited by individual park rules . Washtenaw County General Rule : Unlawful to consume or be in possession of alcohol within any park. Exceptions : Lawful to possess and consume alcohol with a valid Alcohol Permit at specified Independence Lake pavilions and facilities. Wayne County General Rule : Unlawful to consume or be in possession of alcohol without a written permit . Exceptions : Bottled or canned beer in Middle Rouge Parkway, Lower Rouge Parkway, Bell Creek Park, Lola Valley Park, and Venoy-Dorsey Park. St. Clair County General Rule : Lawful to consume or possess alcoholic beverages within county parks. Exceptions : Use and/or possession of alcoholic beverages may be prohibited in specifically designated areas . Yes, we admit it - we mostly wrote this article out of pure admiration for a beloved past time, the post-trail beer . Beyond that sentiment, we sincerely hope that this article provides a useful guide for you in navigating the alcohol restrictions that appropriately govern our favorite outdoor destinations. Nothing can kill the joy of an amazing MTB ride or thrilling trail run faster than an unexpected visit from a police or conservation officer. Know the rules. Enjoy the ride. Sláinte . Please always remember to drink responsibility . If you or a loved one is experiencing symptoms of alcohol addiction, please click here to access resources that are available for you .

Welcome back to our #TrailTuesday Series! This edition explores the backcountry of the Detroit region's least known Michigan State Park: Ortonville State Recreation Area . Join us as we scale the heights and navigate the backwoods of Ortonville's Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail ! Yeah...I get it now. That little quip holds a special place with my hiking crew. Credit's owed to my buddy Joe, who originated it during his first backpacking trip with us back in February of 2021. We had finally arrived in Canyonlands National Park, just in time for a cowboy-cliché sunset from the park's Green River Overlook. Silence overtook the group as we were entranced by the panoramic view below us. Silence only to be broken by Joe's line. Followed by an eruption of laughter from all of us. Nearly four years later, this line is reserved for outdoor moments when awestruck by a natural phenomenon. Especially when said phenomenon surpasses all expectations of its grandeur, despite ample literature that clearly foretells of its legitimacy. Exhibit A , the Grand Canyon. For some indefensible reason, I fully expected it to be "not-as-grand" as its same suggests. Too much publicity, too many visitors - has to be underwhelming, right ? Wrong. Dead wrong. To this day it is truly one of the most impressive, awe-inspiring natural phenomenons that I have ever seen. We at Expedition Detroit believe that the entire Detroit region belongs in the " Yeah...I get it now " genre of outdoor destinations. We have experienced this firsthand on our guided trips , witnessing guest after guest fall in love with the forests, lakes, hills, and wildlife that define our corner of the world. Most of whom have lived in the Metro Detroit for their entire lives, yet never thought they would or could encounter such natural beauty in their own backyard. The best part of this gig is that I get to actively seek out those " Yeah...I get it now " destinations for this community. The " Parks Unknown " of the Detroit region that have miraculously, and tragically , escaped the attention of the wider outdoor world . This investigative appetite led me to the outer fringe of the Detroit region in Lapeer County, summiting one of its tallest moraines, in the midst of the least-visited Michigan State Park in all of Southeast Michigan . All by myself on a bluebird winter's day. Surrounded only by beautifully-rolling hills, forests, and shimmering lakes. Yeah... hopefully you're starting to get it now, too. It's our pleasure to introduce Ortonville State Recreation Area and the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loop Trail to this platform. MEET ORTONVILLE STATE RECREATION AREA Ortonville State Recreation Area has held several names in its century+ history. Although technically founded in 1944 like so many other Detroit region State Parks and Recreation Areas, the 5,400 acres now comprising the park started with the southernmost quadrant of 46 acres. This segment was originally known as " Bloomer #3 State Park " after its 1922 donation from public lands-pioneer Howard Bloomer . Locals subsequently bestowed the name "Hadley Hills" to the westernmost region of the park. Utilized largely for equestrian, fishing, and snowmobiling recreation, the Hadley Hills provides a renown destination for horseback and snowmobile riding due largely to its diverse, rugged moraine terrain . All trails in the Hills lead to Pinnacle Point , a ridge top climbing to 1,100 ft. that once contained a lookout hut at its peak (ruins still remain). For this article's purposes, we're most interested with the least visited eastern segment of Ortonville Rec: Kerr Hill . This section of the park was named after 19th century pioneer Robert Kerr , who farmed the land located on both sides of Hadley Road near where Fox Lake Road crosses Hadley Road. South Hadley Cemetery is also located there, thus answering why Kerr Hill is often cross-referenced as "Cemetery Hill." Its forested hilltop constitutes the second-tallest point in Lapeer County ( first is privately-owned ), standing proudly at 1,229 feet. The Ortonville Recreation Area of 2025 that covers all 3 of the segments provides a lifetime of outdoor recreation opportunities for thrill-seeking visitors. The park has established itself as a "hidden gem" destination not only for equestrians and snowmobilers, but also mountain bikers, cross-country skiers , hunters, anglers, paddlers - and, of course, hikers. For adventure-seekers truly looking to experience one of the Detroit region's most scenic, intrepid, and surprisingly rigorous trails, there few - if any - better than Ortonville's Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail . Let's get to the trail. HIT THE TRAIL Total Distance : 4.7 miles Elevation Gain : 614 feet Trail Rating : Moderate Route Orientation : Loop Parking Specifics : Limited parking available at Road Lake trailhead (located off of Fox Lake Road) The origination point of the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loop Trail represents one of the strangest hiking experiences for any outdoorist. A typical trail to a high point usually begins at the lowest point of the trek, gradually builds to a scenic overlook, and then rewards your efforts with a steady, relaxing decline back to the trailhead. Not so for Kerr Hill. The trek starts at nearly the highest elevation of the entire trail, leading to a deceptively-easy "summit" of the trail's namesake hill. The true summit is located within the woods off to your right as your ascent starts to flatten out. Attention Peak Baggers - please remember " Leave No Trace " principles as you venture out to conquer the Kerr Hill Summit. Kerr Hill Summit area after fresh snowfall " Ah, I get it now. " You'll be tempted to orate that phrase a few times as you start you descent into the massive, forested valley due east of the summit. After reaching the summit just 0.1 miles into the trail, the next 0.4 miles of hiking comprises a straight, dramatic descent into the heart of Ortonville State Recreation Area's "Four Lakes" wilderness region. The descent is steep for the Detroit region's trails, including 12% declines in certain rocky, root-filled sections. Enjoy the views; descend with caution. Your descent will end along the banks of Round Lake, the first of four sizeable lakes that the route features. If you choose to pack in an inflatable kayak or paddleboard during the warmer months, Round Lake will be your best option for a relaxed, scenic float. Also an ideal spot for cracking a few trail beers for your day on the water ( always consume responsibly ). Descent towards Round Lake From Round Lake, the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail backtracks 0.3 miles before continuing southwest into the heart of the park. The trail provides you with a sneak-peek into your hiking future at the 0.7 mile marker - a preview of the trail's final ascent back up to Kerr Hill 4 miles later. Fair warning, it's steep. But that's why you're here, conquering one of the highest points in the entire Jackson Interlobate Range . Regardless, that's a challenge for a future iteration of you. Keep hiking downhill into the heart of the valley. Once at the valley floor, you'll gradually start to ascend again before reaching a trail intersection at the 1 mile marker. Look for a pink paint marker on a tree at the intersection (depicted below). The AllTrails route will direct you south at this point. Team Expedition Detroit decided to complete the route in a scenic clockwise direction. This article will follow our traverse of the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail. Obviously. Trail marker at the main intra-trail intersection of the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail From the "pink tree intersection," the trail leads 0.6 miles along a notable moraine ridge line towards isolated Mud Lake. This area is very popular with hunters during open seasons , so please be mindful of any hunting activity during peak morning and evening shooting hours while in-season. Similar to Round Lake, the Mud Lake section of the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail provides hikers with an opportunity to trek right up to the shoreline. The isolated nature of Mud Lake means that it provides an ideal bird watching, wildlife viewing, and fishing destination. Also an idyllic spot to enjoy any snacks that you may have packed in. After completing another ascending backtrack of 0.4 miles, keep left at the Diehl Road parking area to continue along the two-track road for 0.1 miles. Turn east (left) at the first opportunity to stay on the trail towards Davison Lake. Davison Lake peeking through the trees In our humble opinion, the next 0.7 miles of trekking proved to be some of the most difficult terrain that we've encountered throughout the Detroit region. Why? Simply due to the scant, if completely nonexistent, trail maintenance that we encountered while hiking through the isolated eastern section of the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail . That's not to say that we didn't enjoy this segment of the trail. To the contrary, it was one of our favorite aspects of the entire experience. In an age where so many outdoor spaces have been pacified into sanitized, paved, and "dummy-proof" experiences - especially in greater metropolitan regions - discovering an authentically intrepid trail is worth celebrating . If nothing else, the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail provides an opportunity to test your orienteering and resiliency within a manageable recreational arena. There are several moments during this segment of the trail where the trail appears to disappear into thin air. Trust us, it's there. But your eyes and mind may beg to differ. Example of the barely-visible trail conditions; here, look for the tracks to the left of the dual-trunk tree. Here are some signs to look for if you find yourself unsure regarding whether you're still on the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail - or any trail for that matter: Stop : Pause for a moment, calm your breathing down to 3 second inhales/exhales, and assess your surroundings. Stay calm, stay put. Panic is your greatest enemy. Think : Go over in your mind how you got to where you are. What landmarks should you be able to see vis- à- vis the AllTrails map? Do not move at all until you have a specific reason to take a step. Observe : Look for any signs of the trail that you were surely following just moments prior. Other key indicators include boot prints in snow or mud, trampled grass or vegetation, and tree clearings. As a very last resort, follow a drainage or stream downhill. This is often a difficult path but could lead to a trail or road. Again, this could be very dangerous. Plan : Based on your thinking and observations, come up with some possible plans, think them through, and then act decisively on one of them. If you are not very, very confident in the route, then it’s always better to stay put. If it’s nightfall, you are injured. or you are nearing exhaustion, stay in place and seek shelter. As you may have noticed, the four steps noted above form an acronym: " STOP ." The outdoor recreation industry absolutely loves acronyms, but this one is easily to most useful since it also forms the first action step for assessing your situation. For us, we STOP ped several times during this stretch of the trail. Boot prints and broken vegetation were our best friends. Just remember to keep calm, reference your map as needed, and relish the opportunity to live a genuine wilderness experience in Metro Detroit. The final ascent up Kerr Hill As you complete the 1.4 mile "semi-loop" through the heart of the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail's southernmost region, you'll be treated to scenic - yet distant - views of Davison Lake and Big Fish Lake. The Davison Lake vista on a clear winter's day is especially beautiful and provides yet another reason to visit this rarely-visited park during its "offseason." The rolling terrain and open woodlands leading back to the "pink tree intersection" provide welcomed variety as well. The last half-mile of the Kerr Hill and Four Lakes Loops Trail provides déjà vu, but with a twist. Yes, you will undoubtedly recognize the "valley" as you descend back into it. What will seem surprising, however, is the climb. The half-mile, 17% incline, consistent climb straight up Kerr Hill. Remember that sneak-peek from earlier? Future you's challenge? Guess what. It's go time. As the porters say all along the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro , take this final stretch " Pole Pole ." That phrase is Swahili for "Slowly Slowly," encouraging trekkers to slow down and although their bodies to adjust to the extreme altitude. Here you will not be ascending to over 19,000 feet. But you will be facing your steepest challenge of the day, at the very end of moderately challenging hike, within earshot of the parking lot. Those variables - terrain difficulty, exhaustion, and a decreased caution due to trailhead proximity - are often a recipe for disaster. Pole Pole , friends. Complete the summit to Big Fish Road. Follow the road uphill to the trailhead. Head home with the innate satisfaction of completing one of the most unique trail experiences to be found within Southeast Michigan. 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 to March : the epitome of "shoulder season" recreation where days can start with a morning cycle and finish with powder skiing. As you navigate this most unpredictable of months, here are the top 8 outdoor events near Detroit for capitalizing on March's recreational opportunities ! Shoulder. Season. There are no better two words for describing what Detroit region recreationists experience in March when trying to plan for a full day of outdoor experiences. If you're a glass-half-full kind of person, then March should represent your favorite month of the year . For the next few weeks, you could have an opportunity to run on dry trails in the morning and snowshoe through powder in the evening. Or embrace a crisp morning hike before basking in the warmth of a mid-afternoon kayak. Our most coveted parks are still largely vacant of warmer-weather crowds. The most sought-after river routes or campsites are available for your recreational leisure. Oh, and as a cherry on top, most Michigan state park drinking regulations don't take effect until April 1st. Sláinte . On the other hand... March has a tendency to kind of suck . This month often too warm to ski at the Big Four Resorts , too cold to paddle, too muddy to bike, too early to hunt...etc., etc. If navigated poorly, recreationists can easily find themselves simply trying to survive a period of recreational purgatory. We at Expedition Detroit align ourselves with the pro-March agenda. Conditions be damned, we're firmly in the friluftsliv , "there's no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing" crowd. However, especially for the "March Deniers" among us, we thought that we'd curate this list of Top 8 Outdoor Events to help ease your passing from winter into spring! 1. CLOSE OUT SKI SEASON AT DETROIT'S BIG FOUR RESORTS Early March   | Alpine Valley, Mt. Brighton, Mt. Holly, and Pine Knob Resorts The arrival of spring in the Detroit region is bitter sweet. On the one hand, warmer temps tend to open up the full arsenal of Metro Detroit's recreational opportunities. Kayaking, mountain biking, mud-less trail running ...you name it, our region's got it. On the other... R.I.P. ski season. Especially a "true winter" ski season like this year's. Don't stow away your twigs and boards yet! The " Big Four " resorts will most likely start closing down around March 16th, so get your final turns in for the 2024-25 season while you still can. As an extra season-ending bonus, here are some spring-themed events occurring at each resort this month: Inaugural Pine Knob Park Festival : March 8 - 9th, Pine Knob Ski & Snowboard Resort Beach Day Celebration : March 9th, Mt. Holly Resort Cash Cup Rail Jam with Exodus : March 15th, Alpine Valley Resort Mount Brighton Closing Weekend : March 14 - 16th, Mount Brighton Resort 2. EXPLORE A WINTRY LANTERN HIKE AT ISLAND LAKE March 8th   | Island Lake State Recreation Area   | 6 p.m. Guided lantern hikes have become a wintertime staple on a few select trails throughout the Michigan State Parks system. Fortunately for us in the Detroit region, one of those lucky trails includes Island Lake's stunning Hickory Ridge Trail . For the last time this season, the Friends of Island Lake State Recreation Area invite you to enjoy the winter wonderland of Hickory Ridge hiking during a special Lantern Hike . This self-guided loop hike spans 1.5 miles, and the trail is completely lit by lanterns. Hikers are encouraged not to bring any headlamps or other lights, as the lanterns and moonlight will help guide you through the trail. Hikers can hit the trail at any time between 6:00 and 9:00 pm before the lights are taken down. Dogs are allowed on the trail but please make sure they stay on a leash. EXPLORE ISLAND LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT! Photo courtesy of Cork Town Races 3. Run for the Gold at a St. Patrick's Day 5K Throughout March | Throughout Detroit Region There's only one time of year where waking up to any song by the Dropkick Murphys is not only acceptable, but culturally-respectable. As well as slamming a pre -race Guinness. Or kissing anyone with freckles or red hair, assuming that their green t-shirt of choice explicitly invites said kiss. That beautiful time of year, my friends, is St. Patrick's Day - a day of remembrance of the "Old Country" for us Irish, acceptable debauchery, bag-pipe filled music, crowded pubs, and a festive leprechaun-themed 5K races . Detroit's oldest and most Irish neighborhood, Corktown, will be hosting its 42nd running of the " Corktown Races " on March 16th. Other fantastic St. Paddy's-themed races include RF Events' " Shamrocks & Shenanigans " on March 9th in Ann Arbor, the " Lucky Leprechaun Race " on March 15th in Utica, and " Run for the Gold " on the same day in Pinckney. 4. Celebrate Detroit's Outdoors on "313 Day" March 13th   | Robert C. Valade Park, Detroit Michigan   | 3:13 p.m.   DE-TROIT! Our city has a lot to be proud of heading into 2025, ESPECIALLY with regard to our ever-expanding trail system and the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge . As such, there's no better place to celebrate the city this " 313 Day " than along the Detroit Riverfront at Valade Park! Next Thursday, head downtown for a family-friendly celebration of all matters Detroit. We're talking music, comedy, trivia, poetry, activities, food, prizes and so much more - all along Detroit's award-winning riverfront . Additional amenities include a 3.13-mile run with We Run 313 , food from Smokey G’s Smokehouse and Detroit Panzerotti, and Detroit-themed drinks & specials from the Valade Shed Bar. 5. Earn your Slice of Pi(e) March 14th   | Flat Rock, Michigan   | 6 p.m.   For most of us, when you think of a "special day in March," you probably think of St. Patrick's Day. Obviously. But, if you time-travel back to your middle school years ( apologies in advance ), we all remember that one kid who came to school on March 14th, with a chocolate-chip pie under their arm, decorated in icing with one archaic symbol that you haven't thought of since your geometry exam: π . " Ah, that's right ," you should be thinking right about now. " Pi day ." Pi - the Greek trigonometric symbol that mathematically represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter - is shorthand calculated as "3.14." As such, March 14th is celebrated as "Pi Day" among mathletes and athletes alike due to its correlation with the number . While Pi Day is internationally-recognized as a day to commemorate math, we at Expedition Detroit choose to celebrate by extending our typical weekly 5K by 0.04 miles. Head over to Flat Rock, Michigan for the Flat Rock Pi-Day 5K , where runners can choose from from either a timed, competitive 5k run/walk or recreational 1-mile run/walk along the beautiful Downriver Linked Greenways and neighboring streets of Flat Rock. All proceeds from the event support the Flat Rock Education Foundation , a non-profit community organization committed to promoting growth and excellence within the Flat Rock Community School District. 6. Look to the Skies at North America's Premiere International Wildlife Refuge March 16th   | Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge | 9:00 a.m. Head down to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge for a " Birding Field Trip "! Hosted by the Refuge and Detroit Bird Alliance, this experience explores the last undeveloped mile of the Detroit River on the U.S. side of the border. The trip will traverse native prairies, native shrublands, forests with a unique mosaic of 300-400 year old oaks mixed with hickory and ash, diverse wetlands, and beautiful Humbug Island. You will also look for warblers, other songbirds, as well as migrating and resident water birds. The Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton - North America's first international refuge - just recently announced a 20-acre acquisition . The Refuge already encompasses more than 6,300 acres of marshes, coastal wetlands and islands and stretches along 48 miles of shoreline on the lower Detroit River and western Lake Erie. 7. Close Out Flannel Season with a Lumberjack Festival & Pancake Run March 21st - 23rd | Detroit, Michigan | 10:00 a.m. Flannel. Flapjacks. Finish lines. Can you think of a better trio for closing out "Flannel SZN" in the Detroit region? We sure can't, and we think that whoever thought of this Lumberjack-themed festival & race at the DNR's " Outdoor Adventure Center " deserves a raise. As the final act of the OAC's "Lumberjack Days Festival," the festive " Lumberjack 5K and Pancake Breakfast " race will traverse the Dequindre Cut , starting in front of the Outdoor Adventure Center . The course is flat and fast, and the race's "swag" includes a custom medal, lumberjack buff, free entry to the Outdoor Adventure Center beginning at 10 a.m., and a big pancake breakfast. All participants are encouraged to wear their best flannel apparel and sport their best lumberjack beard. 8. Gaze into the Cosmos at a Dark Sky Preserve March 22nd   | Point Pelee National Park   | 7:30 p.m.   The days may finally  be getting lighter, but the stars at Point Pelee National Park  - the single best stargazing destination in the Detroit region  - still shine as bright as ever!  Point Pelee's " Dark Sky Nights " are especially catered towards star-gazing tourists willing to brave near-freezing temperatures at night, with amenities including extended visitor hours, seasonal star charts, and the combined natural beauty of the park and the cosmos. BONUS : Explore Your State Parks with Expedition Detroit ! All March   | 11 Michigan State Parks and Recreation Areas Winter hibernators, rejoice! The return of warming temperatures means that you can leave those extra layers at home - while also not worrying about crowds, bugs, or 5 p.m. sunsets. In other words, RIGHT NOW is the perfect time to find your next favorite trail - and the Expedition Detroit team knows just where to lead you! Check out our current offerings of guided trips  covering the Detroit region's most beautiful state parks . This March, we are planning a select offering of guided hiking , night hiking , and - in the event of a surprise blizzard - snowshoeing day trips throughout Metro Detroit .  For anyone interested in our guided snowshoe treks, note that we offer no-risk reservation transfer options  for any treks that are cancelled due to conditions. In other words, we guarantee that you will enjoy a world-class outdoor experience ! The Expedition Detroit  team is proud to represent the Michigan DNR's largest commercial provider  of guided hikes, backpacking expeditions, and trail running coach across ELEVEN  of the Detroit region's most pristine state parks and recreation areas. Each of our guides has the field experience, wilderness first aid training, park knowledge, and outdoor passion that you can - and should - expect from any world-class trail experience . P.S. Subscribers to our content   get discounts on our guided trips AND online store   items... Explore Brighton State Recreation Area  with Expedition Detroit! 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.

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

As tensions mount along the U.S.-Canadian border due to trade war threats, the international Detroit region has the unprecedented opportunity - no, the necessity - to rise above temporary politics in support of our collective outdoors. The first time that I visited Canada, I was on the hunt for its outdoors. Literally and figuratively. It was Thanksgiving 2003 and my Detroit Lions had just managed to pull off a victory against the Green Bay Packers. I was still wearing my Joey Harrington jersey at our large family gathering a few hours later, beaming with joy at my team's under-dog victory over our divisional rival. My Uncle Mike picked up on my excitement. As stoked as 11-year-old Dan was about the win, he still had an ace up his sleeve to top-off a perfect holiday visit to Metro Detroit. " Hey Dan - any interest in going duck hunting in Canada this weekend? " The answer was an obvious, emphatic " yes ." Even by those early years, my two greatest recreational passions - international travel and the outdoors - were already firmly welded into the foundation of my personality. The fact that I had an opportunity to marry both of those interests within a day trip blew my mind. Especially as a kid from Washington, D.C. that had yet to explore the vast array of outdoor experiences found within the Detroit region. Young Dan on the hunt outside of Windsor, Ontario; pellet gun effectiveness questionable, life-changing experience certain. Twenty-two years later, the binational nature of the Detroit region's outdoors continues to serve as one of my favorite aspects of living in this corner of the world. Since Expedition Detroit's genesis, we have lauded the rare and world-class recreational opportunities found on both sides of the border. Unforgettable moments like watching the sunrise at Point Pelee National Park or running through the fanfare in Windsor during the Detroit Free Press International Marathon . Competing in cycling races through the rolling Ontario countryside or paddling along the southern bank of the Detroit River. And so, so much more. In fact, for the majority of our operating history, our #TrailtownSpotlight feature on Amherstburg, Ontario held the coveted position of Expedition Detroit's most-read article. We're proud that the Detroit region transcends an international border. That our adventure athletes and relaxed recreationists alike get the privilege of readily exploring two interconnected, yet differentiating, ecosystems. We broadcast that pride openly and emphatically. So you can imagine our surprise when we received the following comments to ads promoting our guided hiking trips platform: " Sorry but no. 🇨🇦" " Nope 🇨🇦" " Sadly we are boycotting the U.S. until the evil pair are gone. Sorry. " Do a few comments signal the utter destruction of the binational outdoor relations that we at Expedition Detroit cherish so fondly? No - or at least we hope not . But these comments are startling since they address another, deeper concern: that high-level political tensions are fueling personal vendettas and xenophobic decision-making . Don't worry - our business operations can, and will, survive this tense period. Our outdoors, on the other hand, may not be so lucky if international collaboration grinds to a halt. Simply put, the Detroit region cannot afford to allow tariffs to divide our shared outdoor heritage and ecosystem. WHERE WE'VE BEEN : THE COMMON NATURE OF DETROIT'S OUTDOORS The shared history of Southeast Michigan and Southwest Ontario dates back to the dawn of recorded history - plus several millennia. Beginning at the end of the last ice age (roughly 16,000 years ago), the Laurentide Ice Sheet gradually receded into ice masses called "lobes," with the two most prominent lobes over the Detroit region comprising of the western Saginaw and eastern Huron-Erie lobes. The Saginaw lobe covered most of "the mitten" that's now Michigan's lower peninsula. The Huron-Erie lobe covered southeastern Metro Detroit, Detroit proper, Windsor, and most of southwestern Ontario. The massive deposits left behind carved our thousands of lakes, rivers, ponds, kettle pools, and the dramatic " Jackson Interlobate Range " highlands that comprise most of our Michigan State Parks, Huron-Clinton Metroparks , ski hills, and mountain biking trails. As the ice receded and a pristine ecosystem emerged, ancestral settlements of the First Nations began hunting, fishing, and settling in the forests, marshlands, and grasslands surrounding the Detroit River. By the time of the first European contact in the 17th century, the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi tribes had firmly established roots throughout the region. These same tribes formed commercial and military alliances with the French, British, and Americans as each power rose to prominence in the Great Lakes, with certain tribes aligning and realigning with Western forces during conflicts like the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812 . The fluidity of the U.S.-Canadian border progressed throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Prior to the American Civil War, the Detroit River represented the final stop - codenamed " Midnight " - on the Underground Railroad for runaway slaves seeking the protection of British Canada . The unprecedented industrialization of the City of Detroit in the early 20th century led the Detroit River to be dubbed "the Greatest Commercial Artery on Earth." The border also rose to unique prominence during America's Prohibition Era, during which an estimated 75% of all liquor smuggled into the United States entered from the Detroit region. As Americans and Canadians returned home victoriously from the Second World War, their joint efforts would migrate from the battlefield to fueling an increasingly-interdependent economy. The automotive industry particularly ballooned on both sides of the border, leading the Detroit region's border crossings to evolve into some of the most lucrative and voluminous trade corridors in the world. In early 2025, that figure amounted to roughly $323 million worth of product crossing the border every single day. The purpose of this historical overview is not to claim that the Detroit region's resident Canadians and Americans are identical. Anyone with a sibling knows how different you can be even when originating from the same gene pool. However, from our glacial foundations to interwoven industries, we share a complex, common heritage. We often root for the same teams, enjoy the same recreational pastimes, work similar jobs, and share common beliefs. Most importantly for Expedition Detroit , we also share the same beautiful, fragile natural environment. So much so that I regularly receive "Welcome to Canada!" texts when leading guided hikes on Belle Isle . If only our governments understood how close we are - and how devastating a tariff-induced trade war will be to our healing environment. WHERE WE'RE AT :  THE POLITICAL TENSIONS PULLING US APART So..why exactly is Expedition Detroit receiving misguided, anti-American comments on our ads? In one word, tariffs . The same buzzword sending shockwaves around the world. In case you're not 100% on what exactly a "tariff" is, it's defined as " a tax imposed by one country on the goods and services imported from another country to influence it, raise revenues, or protect competitive advantages. " Stated differently, in order to discourage consumers in Country A from buying goods and services from Country B, Country A places a tax on Country B's goods and services to make them more expensive, and therefore less appealing, to the average Country A consumer. Who benefits from tariffs? The answer is two parties: the government and domestic producers of the otherwise tariffed goods and services . The importing government benefits from creating trade leverage on the exporting country's government. The domestic producers benefit since they now have a price advantage over foreign, competing producers. Everyone else suffers under tariffs . Especially all of us domestic consumers. Foreign-produced goods and services, often produced more cheaply than domestic, are now more expensive. We inevitably bear those costs. And, to make matters worse, tariffs are often reciprocated - so domestic producers end up feeling the pain as well. Image courtesy of the Detroit Free Press Apologies for the economics lesson on an outdoor recreation website. Unfortunately, this is a lesson you truly shouldn't tune out of like your high school Econ class. Beginning tomorrow, March 4th , the Trump Administration's 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports will go into effect. The President's rationale for imposing the tariffs include "halting the flow of migrants and fentanyl across their borders" and into the United States. As predicted, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last month that Canada would respond "forcefully and reciprocally" to Trump's tariffs, signaling a potential for a trade war between the two North American allies. Now, on the eve of Tariff-mageddon, consumers across both borders of the Detroit region are bracing for the following repercussions: More expensive every day goods for U.S. consumers , including crude oil, wood and lumber, plastics, charcoal, aluminum, paper books, and iron and steel appliances. Massive stock exchange market losses , with the Dow Jones Industrial Average already being down 1.58%, the S&P 500 down 1.78%, and the Nasdaq Composite down 2.47%. Significant loss of U.S. and Canadian jobs , including a loss of 31,000 U.S. jobs related to the liquor industry alone. Disproportionate detriment on Canadian imports , seeing as more than 75% of Canada's goods and service exports go to the U.S. Sky-rocketed pricing for industries with an international supply chain , most notably the automative industry . Decimation of goodwill and willingness to collaborate on international issues , sacrificed on the altar of "winning" a trade war. That last point is what prompted this article. The greatest loss of any zero-sum trade war. The intangible, incalculable cost that stems from a short-sighted solution and plagues a region for generations. A fundamental, catastrophic breakdown in international relations that torpedoes any existing hope of working together in accomplishing complex and pivotal objectives. To my fellow Americans and Canadians throughout the Detroit region, we cannot allow this animosity between our governments to contaminate the international collaboration necessary for protecting and expanding our outdoor opportunities . Our region is far, far too fragile to bear such a cost. WHAT'S AT STAKE :  WHY DETROIT'S OUTDOORS CAN'T AFFORD THE TOLL OF A TARIFF TRADE WAR Those of us working within the Detroit region's outdoor recreation economy have had calendar year 2025 dog-eared for several years now. After years of innovative planning, careful designing, voluminous fundraising, and diligent construction, the crown jewel of Detroit's recreational ecosystem will finally be unveiled this year: the Gordie Howe International Bridge . Beyond providing another means of linking Detroit and Windsor, this bridge will serve as the critical missing link between North America's expansive trail networks. Through connecting the 17,000 mile Trans Canada Trail directly the Michigan's Iron Belle Trail - which in turn merges into the 4,800 mile North Country Trail - the bridge's pedestrian lanes will open our continent to unprecedented recreational opportunities . A transformative ripple effect that could forever redefine living, working, and recreating within our region. Unless, of course, we view each other as the enemy. Image courtesy of GlobeNewswire Industry-redefining projects like the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Great Lakes Way , and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail  are only possible with notable degrees of international collaboration. These projects are intended not only to boost this corner of the Great Lakes as an internationally sought-after destination for adventure tourism, but to also protect rivers, forests, grasslands, and other fragile habitats that had been historically decimated  in the name of industrialization. That's one vision for the Detroit region's outdoor economy. The creation of a thriving, sustainable, collaborative, and truly unique binational adventure destination. A future that thousands of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, nature conservancies, large corporations, and small businesses like yours truly have been investing in for decades. A revitalized Detroit Riverfront. A marathon crossing multiple international borders. A multi-day backpacking, canoe camping, or bikepacking adventure on an international scale. Sadly, we already know the alternative . Nationalistic, protective policies that lead to a " tragedy of the commons " scenario whereby natural resources are utilized for their maximum, short-term use. Lax environmental regulation in the name of industry. Deemphasis on promoting outdoor recreation on a region-wide scale. International marathons? Cross-border trail experiences? Ease of binational recreational experiences? Those favorite pastimes become exponentially more difficult to organize when we allow fear-based policies and xenophobic rhetoric to dominate our collective conscious. Worse yet, our capacity to innovate collaboratively and harness synergetic creativity all but dissipates when we start to view each other as "the other" vs. "the partner." In the short term, this trade war will cost us in several small, tangible ways. More expensive gear. Potentially more difficult border crossings. Definitely more difficult collaboration on large scale infrastructure and environmental projects. The ultimate danger lies in the long term . The lost opportunities that die in the wake of a trade war. Environmental initiatives left uninitiated. Innovative businesses forced to shutter. Trail connections that remain unbuilt. Recreational passions priced out by tariffs. And experiences never lived due to boycotts, grudges, and spiteful Facebook comments. Those intangible costs are tragically immeasurable. Fortunately, they're also avoidable. RESIST THE RHETORIC : HOW OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS CAN WIN A TRADE WAR Let's end this somber article on a high note, eh ? Now that we're apparently on the verge of the "Great Trade War of 2025," we as Detroit region outdoor enthusiasts must resist the rhetoric of economic nationalism that threatens to deprive us of our recreational livelihood. Here are 5 steps you can take during this forthcoming season of economic uncertainty to preserve our region's recreational viability: Become an advocate, not a detractor. Utilizing your voice on social media or elsewhere to demand action and resolution from those responsible for enacting protectionist economic policies is commendable. Utilizing the same voice to further divisive rhetoric or suppress local business is detrimental. Support your local outfitter. Rising manufacturing prices will inevitably hit the retail sector as a whole, but especially "niche" industries like outdoor outfitters. Future you will thank you for utilizing your dollars for preserving your local outdoor industry. Keep exploring - especially across the border. During the coming days, our governments will inevitably attempt to perpetuate an "us vs. them" agenda. Resist such fear tactics. Dare to plan a day trip to "the other side" and discover for yourself how beautiful it truly is. Care for your local outdoor destinations. Public funding may become scarce in the event of a prolonged trade war. So, as the weather warms up and our trails become more accessible, pack along a trash bag and complement your hike with a stewardship mission. Harness the power of your dollar and vote . In a modern democracy, our purchasing power and voting capacity constitute the most profound means of effectuating change. If a politician or company appear to be supporting protectionist, xenophobic, or divisive policies, then utilize one or both of the aforementioned tools against them until they change course. Friends, we'll make it through this next chapter. We just need to remember to keep our long-term, collective priorities - especially the protection and expansion of our region's world-class outdoors - above short-term fear mongering and uncertainty. Let's keep exploring.