What we’re about
MDOH
Do you like being outdoors and active? Give us a try. We are outside four seasons of the year with lots of hiking, some canoeing, camping and x-c skiing.
This Meetup is a project of the local Sierra Club Group--Southeast Michigan Group (SEMG), a part of the Michigan Chapter of National Sierra Club, one of the oldest environmental activist organizations in the US. The project is designed to give metro-Detroiters outdoor experiences with the hope that they will be motivated to be more concerned about our natural environment and perhaps decide to join Sierra Club.
At each outdoor activity, participants are asked to sign a liability waiver and pay a $1 fee which helps cover the cost of the Meetup website and other SEMG Outings Committee expenses.
Important information about how MDOH operates is at the Details section, below. Please read it before participating. Also read the activity description and assess your ability/preparedness to complete the activity.
While the summary of the outing may say that "location information is not available," in reality, it is ALWAYS in the description of the outing. Simply click the "more" link at the end of the description; there is usually a link to a Google map.
Questions? Contact the leader who is listed in the activity description (Note: the leader may not be the same as the host). Don’t wait until the night or morning before as all leaders are not "connected" 24/7 (and some don't offer a public cell number).
No pets or electronic gear (please limit cell phone use to "essential").
If you ride-share, share the cost of gas and any admissions (Note: nearly all parks require a season pass or an admission fee).
DETAILS
Leaders
Your organizers and leaders are volunteers with informal and formal training, experienced in taking people to the places we know and love the best. We each have differing interests and the outings that each of us leads reflect this. Some events are strictly hiking, some stop to smell (and ID) the roses, some look for birds, some focus on natural history. We also do some canoeing, backpacking, biking and cross-country skiing.
Personal Responsibility
Each participant needs to be responsible for his or her own safety by accurately judging whether they are fit for the activity they are interested in. Hikes generally are from 4-6 miles long, lasting from 2-3 hours, usually with a couple of rest/water/trail snack stops. Hikes with birding or botanizing generally are shorter and slower. Longer hikes, 8-10 miles are faster with fewer stops. A reasonable amount of fitness is necessary even for the slowest, shortest hikes. Three miles in the woods even at a slow speed is different - and harder - than a 2-hour walk on sidewalks/streets/bike paths. Hills, roots, rocks, mud and other natural features require a certain amount of stamina and balance. Children are welcome with a responsible adult, if they are able to behave appropriately and complete the activity.
Meeting Places and Costs
The meetup starts at a meeting place (often a shopping center) where people can leave their car if they decide to travel together to the trailhead. After the activity there often is an optional restaurant stop, which gives another opportunity to get to know your companions. If you ride with someone, you are expected to share in the cost of transportation and group admittance fees. Sierra Club also requests a $1 donation per person to help with our committee expenses. (There may be additional fees for outings longer than one day). Please note that the official start of the activity is at the trailhead and not the meeting spot – this is for liability reasons.
Basic Guidelines
(1) arrive on time for the meeting; departure follows after signup and announcements
(2) come dressed appropriately: sturdy footwear; water; snack; sunscreen/insect repellant; hat; raingear. Inappropriate clothing or gear may affect others’ enjoyment of the activity and may put you and them in danger.
(3) be aware that a 2 hour hike can take considerably longer even without unexpected delays so plan accordingly: driving time, gearing up, pit stops, hiking, pit stops, gearing down, driving home
(4) always stay behind the leader and in front of the “sweep” in voice communication range
(5) in order not to interfere with others’ enjoyment of our natural environment, electronic/communications gear should be left at home; cell phones should be silenced and their use strictly limited (emergencies, not grocery lists!)
(6) if you need a bathroom/water/snack/rest break, let the leader know so all can stop and avoid leaving you behind. Besides, there are probably others who need the break, also.
(7) if you are falling behind, call up to the person ahead to get the leader to stop/slow
(8) Follow all the usual rules listed by our public parks.
Liability Waiver
All participants must sign a comprehensive liability waiver acknowledging that they are responsible for their own well-being and absolving others of liability. This is necessary because there are inherent risks in outdoor activities in which injuries or damages can occur from:
• natural causes
• obstacles and hazards
• insect or animal bites
• toxic plants
• medical emergencies without easily obtainable medical care
• actions of other persons
We are a committee of the local Sierra Club (Southeast Michigan Group [SEMG]) and have been doing outings in metro-Detroit for many years. This meet-up is our latest – and most high-tech – means to share our program with other outdoor-lovers. Our website is www.sierraclub.org/michigan/southeast-michigan .
Many of us are also involved in conservation and environmental issues with the Club – it will be up to you to decide if your interests also go in that direction. If they do, we would be glad to help you get connected to the right folks.
Do you like being outdoors and active? Give us a try. We are outside four seasons of the year with lots of hiking, some canoeing, camping and x-c skiing.
Joanne7925, MDOH Organizer
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hikes & Owls: A Weekend in Paradise MichiganTahquamenon Falls State Park, Paradise, MI
Join us for a weekend in Paradise, October 4–5! We’ll enjoy three hikes and an evening owl banding demonstration with the Friends of Whitefish Point on Saturday night. This outing is limited to 20 people, so register through Sierra Club's portal at the link at the end of this description.
Saturday Morning – Tahquamenon Falls
Our trip begins with a 4-mile hike along the Tahquamenon River between the Upper and Lower Falls in Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The Upper Falls is Michigan’s largest waterfall—spanning nearly 200 feet across and dropping almost 50 feet. The river’s tannin-rich waters, stained a golden-brown from surrounding cedar swamps, create a dramatic cascade that has earned the falls the nickname “Root Beer Falls.” The scenic trail follows the river through mixed hardwood and pine forest, offering stunning overlooks and the chance to spot wildlife along the way.Saturday Afternoon – Vermilion Point
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Vermilion Point Nature Preserve, a remote 175-acre sanctuary along Lake Superior with 1.75 miles of pristine sandy shoreline, dunes, wetlands, and forest. Managed by the Little Traverse Conservancy, it’s an important nesting site for the endangered piping plover and home to diverse wildlife. The preserve also holds the historic Vermilion Life-Saving Station (1876–1944), a reminder of the shipwrecks that once plagued this stretch of coast.Saturday Evening – Owl Banding
That evening, we’ll join the Friends of Whitefish Point for an owl banding demonstration. The Friends operate an Owl Banding Station during the spring, summer, and fall at Whitefish Point, where researchers capture, band, and release owls as part of a long-term conservation study. Visitors can learn about the wonders of migrating owls, their remarkable adaptations, and their long journeys across the country—and may even have the chance to see one up close before it’s released back into the night sky.Sunday Morning – Whitefish Point
On Sunday, we’ll wrap up with a bird walk at Whitefish Point, one of North America’s premier migration hotspots. The point juts out into Lake Superior, funneling thousands of birds—waterfowl, raptors, and songbirds—across its shoreline each spring and fall. It’s also home to the Whitefish Point Bird Observatory, Shipwreck Museum, and lighthouse, offering a mix of natural wonder and maritime history before we head home from our weekend in Paradise.Trip Details
Participants are responsible for their own camping, lodging, and meals. There is a $45 fee, which supports the Friends of Whitefish Point and covers outing leader expenses. Food and lodging are available in Paradise, Michigan. The trip leader will be camping at Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Lower Falls – Hemlock Campground)—feel free to stop by his campsite to visit around the campfire Friday night and join a short optional hike to the Lower Falls Friday evening. Payment, travel details, and detailed itinerary will be coordinated via email with those who register the week before the trip. We will share the names of anyone that would like to carpool. We will also be coordinating moving some cars between the Upper and Lower Falls as well as ride sharing to Vermilion.Hike Leader
For questions, email hike leader Ken at sierra.club.semg@gmail.com.https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po000017wXK4IAM
- Bald Mountain Recreation Area Hike (Oakland County)Bald Mountain Shooting Range, Lake Orion, MI
Join us for a scenic 6-mile hike at one of Oakland County’s beautiful parks—Bald Mountain Recreation Area. For more information and to register, please visit:https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po000016j4t8IAA
Parking: 2 parking lots available
—Small parking lot (coordinates: 42.7486428, -83.2150666) can accommodate about 4–5 vehicles. If this lot is full, you can park at the
—Shooting Range parking lot (coordinates: 42.7462019, -83.2193139). Park here and then WALK TO THE SMALLER PARKING LOT indicated above, where we’ll meet to start the hike. Please arrive by 9:45 AM so we can begin promptly at 10:00 AM. There are no restrooms at this trailhead. If needed, you will have to use the woods. - Canton's Lower Rouge Trail HikeCanton, MI 48188, Canton, MI
Join us for a leisurely 3-to-4-mile hike along the Lower Rouge Trail in Canton, a scenic linear trail system that follows the Lower Rouge River. To register and for more information, please visit https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000cZQErIAO
- Kensington Metropark Day After ThanksgivingKensington Nature Center, Milford, MI
Burn off those Thanksgiving calories with a refreshing 4.6-mile hike at Kensington Metropark Friday, November 28th! To register and for more details, please visit https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00000caQV7IAM
