Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?

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2012-06-12 1:22 PM

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Detroit, Michigan
Subject: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?

As my handle suggests, I don't live close to too many running trails. But I am looking to expand my running repertoire. Are there any hidden, secret gem trails within a half hour or so of Detroit? I know about Island Lake, of course, but that's a bit far for me to drive after work and still be home at a reasonable hour. As I've not done much trail running previously, it doesn't have to be a long trail, maybe 3-5 miles to start out.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

2012-06-12 4:56 PM
in reply to: #4257940

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Expert
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Troy, MI
Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?

Detroit is a big area.  What part of Detroit are you in?  Eastside, Westside, Downtown, Midtown?

2012-06-13 10:04 AM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?
I live in midtown and work in Dearborn, so I'd prefer a trail within a half hour of either of those locations (hence why I don't want to drive out to ILRA). But the city is pretty concrete -- not many trails, at least not many that I know of.
2012-06-13 11:06 AM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?
What kind of trail are you after?  Just "Not pavement," or were you hoping for more technical trails?  Not that I can think of either that close to you...  Pinkney Rec are has ILRA beaten for technical trails by miles and miles.  It might be a WEE bit closer to your work, but not so close you'll like the drive.  There is the paint creek trail, which is just flat (rails to trails), but that has to be a good 30 minutes from my place, so perhaps 40- minutes from Midtown. 
2012-06-13 12:04 PM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?

Lower Rouge Trail - more of "not pavement" type, but there are some under-developed trail which is difficult.  

Maybury State park - it has pavement, trail, hiking trail, mtn bike trail in the mix.  I never trail run there.  Mostly mtn biking.  But I have seen people run before.

Lakeshore park - a bit far from Dearborn.  Similar to Maybury but bigger scale.  

(watch out for mtn bikers!)

Those are the three legit one I know.  All are about 1/2 hr away from Dearborn.

 

2012-06-13 12:08 PM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?
I've run Maybury many times - it has separate trails for running and MTB so you don't need to dodge bikers if you don't want to.  There's about 3-4 miles of trail with some rolling hills.  Its a nice run.

2012-06-13 12:25 PM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?
Based on where you are at, Stony is your best bet, IMO.  The cool part about Stony is the layout.  You can run for as long as you want and change the technical nature of the run as much as you want by jumping between the trails.  I ran 11+ miles out there the week prior to the trail 1/2 on Potto (also great, but one big loop) and ran by feel.  If the HR and legs were good, I ran the black (toughest trails), feeling OK, dropped to the green (medium) and when I wanted to relax I dropped to the Blue (easy).  Checking my Garmin data and only retraced my steps twice and missed a few portions of the trails.  The other nice thing is that you can really mix things up by going between paved trails and the MTB trails.  On another day I did 9 miles starting at the boat launch and going counter clockwise around the lake.  For some reason another runner was shadowing me around the lake.  Got tired of the guy and ducked off to the MTB trails when I got to that point and ran them and then dropped onto the road by the golf course.  I've also done the MTB trails at Highland Rec (very techical) and the trails at Bald Mtn (a bit short at right around 10K total).
2012-06-13 5:28 PM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?

Stony is by far my favorite.  I think it would be a longer drive than 30 minutes from the Dearborn area, as would Bloomer or Paint Creek.  I live North of Detroit so those are the ones I know.

  If you are looking for a paved route, I've heard very nice things about this path:

The Dequindre Cut Greenway is a paved path running through urban Detroit and connecting the riverfront at Atwater Street with Eastern Market and neighborhoods in between. The city hopes to extend the trail north from Gratiot Avenue to Mack Avenue.

The trail occupies the old Grand Truck Railroad line, and the trail runs below street level parallel to St. Aubin Street for most of the way. The trail has separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians and you'll find entrance ramps to at Lafayette Street, Gratiot Avenue and Woodbridge Street.

2012-06-14 8:25 AM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?
Thanks, all, I might have to check out Stony. Maybe on a day when I can sneak out of work early. =D The Dequindre Cut is nice but it goes for only about two miles and it is paved (in fact I was just down that way Sunday), and I'm looking for an honest-to-goodness trail. Thanks for all your ideas!
2012-06-15 4:58 AM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?
seems to me there are some trails on Hines.  Anyone know about those?  I know I've seen mtn bikers riding just off the road on the other side of the river.
2012-06-15 5:50 AM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?

gir1with1nose - 2012-06-15 5:58 AM seems to me there are some trails on Hines.  Anyone know about those?  I know I've seen mtn bikers riding just off the road on the other side of the river.

 

I saw a little trail off Hines and took it on a 20 mile run this spring...lead to the houses behind the trail only about 1000 meters,  which was a bummer. Thats all I have on that!

I love running at the Stony MTB trails....I am directionally challenged and can always make my way out.  

2012-06-15 7:05 AM
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Subject: RE: Favorite spot for trail running in metro Detroit?
TrishM - 2012-06-15 5:50 AM

I love running at the Stony MTB trails....I am directionally challenged and can always make my way out.  

First time I ran there I had a printed trail map and never had to take it out.  The directions and numbers on the sign at every crossing make it very easy to find your way home and keep you on new trails, versus repeating your path.

One more cool thing about Stony.  Folks have been gathering rocks and there is a rock garden over by the bench on (I think) the north side of the trails.  On the black trails, someone(s) have started a mosaic with beer bottle caps (black trails, can't remember where).

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