Metro Detroit Outdoors & Hiking (Sierra Club's SEMG)

Come and enjoy a refreshing 4.6-mile hike at Kensington Metropark. This rolling loop trail winds through hardwood forests, wetlands, lakeshores, and open meadows—offering plenty of chances to spot birds and deer. We'll meet at the Nature Center parking area at 9:15 AM for introductions and a brief overview of the route. The hike will last approximately three hours, including a couple of stops for refreshments and rest. There is a bathroom at the Nature Center and a few more along the route. Please dress warmly in layers, as late November temperatures can be chilly. This hike offers a great opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the Huron River Valley. We’ll be hiking from 9:30 AM to around noon.

Please register at: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001M3HcAIAV

Although our hikes are always free, we are happy to accept donations to support the Southeast Michigan Group’s activities as part of our activities and programs. A donation jar will be available at registration if you’d like to help fund our important conservation and advocacy work in Metro Detroit.

Meeting Time and Location:

We’ll meet at 8:45am at the Kensington Nature Center Parking Lot on Highridge Dr, Milford, MI. (Link) The hike will start promptly at 9:00am, so please don't be late.

Hike Leader:
For questions, please email sierra.club.semg@gmail.com.

Participation Details:
For all our hikes, please remember to bring comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, food, and the season’s weather appropriate clothing. Participation in Sierra Club activities requires registration and acceptance of a waiver, which you can complete online at the link above. Electronic copies of the required waiver are available online or by request and will be accepted automatically by signing-in to the event.

All hikes are free and open to everyone, but donations are gratefully accepted to help support ongoing stewardship and programming. If you’re able to contribute, you can do so at https://givebutter.com/FKXYFb

As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, donations allow us to lobby and sometimes litigate for environmental protections. This tax status gives us a broader ability to enact change, but it also means that gifts to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible. Whether you’re able to give or not, everyone is welcome on our hikes, and your support in any form is appreciated.

Cancellation Policy:
The hike will proceed rain, snow, or shine. However, if an Extreme Weather Warning is issued by the National Weather Service, the hike will be canceled for safety reasons.

Park Pass Information:
When visiting a Michigan State Park, a Recreation Passport is required. The cost per vehicle is $14 when purchased during license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. Entrance to Metroparks requires a $40 annual pass or a $10 day pass. You may be able to purchase a day or annual pass at the park entrance booth.

Come and enjoy a refreshing 5.9-mile hike through Indian Springs Metropark! This scenic hike is a perfect way to explore nature and enjoy great company. Our route will take us beside the Huron Swamp, one of Southeast Michigan’s most unique natural areas. The Huron Swamp is part of the larger Huron River watershed and contains wetland ecosystems that are critical for wildlife habitat, water purification, and flood control. The swamp’s diverse landscape includes boardwalks over marshes, wooded lowlands, and open former farmland, providing a variety of ecosystems to explore.

Register at: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001M3VoZIAV

This area is home to migratory birds, amphibians, and unique wetland plants that thrive in the swampy conditions. As you hike, you might spot red-winged blackbirds, sandhill cranes, wood ducks, or even a muskrat swimming through the wetlands. Early spring also brings the first signs of wildflowers like marsh marigolds and skunk cabbage, which are among the earliest bloomers in Michigan.
The Huron Swamp is particularly important to local biodiversity, acting as a natural water filter that protects the Huron River, one of the area’s most vital water sources. The swamp’s rich ecosystem also helps absorb heavy rainfall, reducing flooding in surrounding areas. We will hike from 9:30 a.m. to about noon.
Meeting Time and Location:
We’ll meet at 9:15am at the Environmental Discovery Center parking lot with the hike beginning promptly at 9:30 AM. Address: 5175 Indian Trail, White Lake, MI 48386.
Hike Leader:
For questions, email sierra.club.semg@gmail.com.
Participation Details:
For all our hikes, please remember to bring comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, food, and the season’s weather appropriate clothing. Participation in Sierra Club activities requires registration and acceptance of a waiver, which you can complete online at the link above. Electronic copies of the required waiver are available online or by request and will be accepted automatically by signing-in to the event.

All hikes are free and open to everyone, but donations are gratefully accepted to help support ongoing stewardship and programming. If you’re able to contribute, you can do so at https://givebutter.com/FKXYFb

As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, donations allow us to lobby and sometimes litigate for environmental protections. This tax status gives us a broader ability to enact change, but it also means that gifts to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible. Whether you’re able to give or not, everyone is welcome on our hikes, and your support in any form is appreciated.
Cancellation Policy:
The hike will proceed rain, snow, or shine. However, if an Extreme Weather Warning is issued by the National Weather Service, the hike will be canceled for safety reasons.
Park Pass Information:
When visiting a Michigan State Park, a Recreation Passport is required. The cost per vehicle is $14 when purchased during license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. Entrance to Metroparks requires a $40 annual pass or a $10 day pass. You may be able to purchase a day or annual pass at the park entrance booth.

Join us for 4.5-mile hike at Proud Lake Recreation Area! Nestled along the banks of the Huron River, this park features woodlands, wetlands, and riverbanks, offering diverse natural beauty and a serene environment. The trail presents a mix of gentle hills and flat terrain, making it an enjoyable challenge for both novice and experienced hikers.

Register at: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00001NJqF1IAL

The Huron River is the park’s central feature, flowing for over 130 miles from its headwaters in the Huron Swamp to its endpoint in Lake Erie. As you hike, you’ll follow sections of the river, which provide not only a peaceful ambiance but also a rich habitat for local wildlife. Proud Lake’s connection to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), a New Deal-era program from the 1930s, is evident throughout the park. The CCC was instrumental in developing trails, campsites, cabins, pine plantations, and picnic areas that remain integral parts of the recreation area today.

Meeting Time and Location:
Meet at 8:45 a.m. at Proud Lake Recreation Area, 3500 Wixom Road, Commerce Charter Township, MI 48382, at the trailhead parking area off the main entrance on Wixom Road, just beyond the park headquarters (east of Wixom Road and south of Sleeth Road).We’ll hike from 9:00 a.m. to about noon.

Hike Leader:
For questions, please email sierra.club.semg@gmail.com.

Participation Details:
For all our hikes, please remember to bring comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, food, and the season’s weather appropriate clothing. Participation in Sierra Club activities requires registration and acceptance of a waiver, which you can complete online at the link above. Electronic copies of the required waiver are available online or by request and will be accepted automatically by signing-in to the event.

All hikes are free and open to everyone, but donations are gratefully accepted to help support ongoing stewardship and programming. If you’re able to contribute, you can do so at https://givebutter.com/FKXYFb

As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization, donations allow us to lobby and sometimes litigate for environmental protections. This tax status gives us a broader ability to enact change, but it also means that gifts to the Sierra Club are not tax deductible. Whether you’re able to give or not, everyone is welcome on our hikes, and your support in any form is appreciated.

Cancellation Policy:
The hike will proceed rain, snow, or shine. However, if an Extreme Weather Warning is issued by the National Weather Service, the hike will be canceled for safety reasons.

Park Pass Information:
When visiting a Michigan State Park, a Recreation Passport is required. The cost per vehicle is $14 when purchased during license plate registration renewal through the Secretary of State. Entrance to Metroparks requires a $40 annual pass or a $10 day pass. You may be able to purchase a day or annual pass at the park entrance booth.

Hikes are free and open to the public. However, sometimes we do activities that require a fee which would be noted in the description of the event.

Location:
Proud Lake Recreation Area, 3500 N Wixom Rd, Commerce, MI 48382, at the trailhead parking area off the main entrance on Wixom Road, beyond the park headquarters east of Wixom Road and South of Sleeth Road.