11/14 (Sat) Crooked Lake Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area. 9:30am. This is a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts! The trail is a part of the 36 mile Waterloo-Pinckney Trail. We will hike only a part of it approximately 6-7 miles up and down the hills through the forest and enjoy the beautiful views of passing lakes. We can extend our hike up to 1-3 miles taking Losee Lake Trail or just part of it. Wear good hiking boots, bring water, snack and a smile and good humor. Meet in Livonia on the southeast corner of Middlebelt and I-96; in the Costco lot nearest to Middlebelt and Jeffries Fwy. Ewa Roszczenko 734-756-5362  or email: ewarosz@yahoo.com

11/22 [E] Stony Creek Inwood Trails Hike. Noon. Explore this newer Stony Creek trail system, at the far northern end of the park. Its rolling, mostly open terrain, harbors beaver, massasauga rattlesnakes, the swampy headwaters of Stony Creek and a kettle (!). (If you don’t know what that is, come along and find out!) We’ll hike 6 miles, moderate pace. Optional restaurant stop after. Meet in Sterling Heights at Metro-Pkway (16 Mile Rd) and Van Dyke, (south east corner) in the SMART parking lot between the banks. Jo Ellen, 586-431-3104.  

11/28 (Sat.) Indian Springs Metro Park Hike. 10:30am. Enjoy a late fall hike in this gently rolling, wooded park near Union Lake. We may spot some sandhill cranes as we have in Falls past. We will do both loops at a moderate pace for a total of 5 miles. Call if weather is ?  Meet in Bloomfield Township in the Costco parking lot near McDonalds on Telegraph (east side) just north of Square Lake Rd. Optional restaurant stop after. Joanne, 248-932-5370; joannecantoni@att.net. 

December

12/6 Bald Mountain-South State Rec. Area Hike. 11:30am. We’ll hike 5-6 miles at a moderate pace, slower and shorter if there is snow (yak-trax alert!). Terrain is mostly wooded and rolling. This is a close-in park and is centrally located for the metro-area. Optional restaurant stop after. Meet in Troy behind the Bank of America on 14 Mile Rd. just east of I-75 (south edge of Oakland Mall). Joanne, 248-932-5370. 

12/12 (Sat) Hickory Hills Trail in Waterloo Recreation Area. 9:30am. Waterloo R.A. is the largest state park in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The trail starts at Gerald Eddy Discovery Center and passes through an oak/hickory forest.We will hike approximately 6-miles with possibilities to extend our hike up to 2 miles, if we desire. So, let's lace up our hiking boots, because in this part of the world, any given pathway will point us to Pure Michigan. Bring water, snack, smile and good humor. Meet in Livonia on the southeast corner of Middlebelt and I-96; in the Costco lot nearest to Middlebelt and Jeffries Fwy. Ewa Roszczenko 734-756-5362  or email: ewarosz@yahoo.com  

12/27 Independence Oaks Hike. Noon. The presents have all been opened and put away, let’s go for a nice after-holiday hike on these hilly, wooded trails with a possible beaver spotting if we take the lake-front segment. We’ll do 5-6 miles at a moderate-to brisk pace. Optional restaurant stop after. Meet in Bloomfield Hills behind the CVS pharmacy on the S.E. corner of Woodward & Square Lake Rd. (northeast end of lot). Inge, 248-338-0906.

January-2010

1/3 New Year Mystery Hike. Noon. Start out your New Year with a great outing – which the leader will keep a mystery until today. We will be hiking within a half hour of our meeting place, about 5-miles at a moderate pace. We go sun or snow; call leader if weather is ? Meet in Bloomfield Township in the Costco parking lot near McDonalds on Telegraph (east side) north of Square Lake Rd. Restaurant stop after. Cindy, 248-336-2984. 

1/10 Zoo Butterfly Hike. 1pm. Let’s have a nice hike at the Detroit Zoo – in Royal Oak. We will meet outside the gates of the main entrance, then go hike the plowed paths connecting various year round exhibits. The butterfly house will have many species flitting around in their tropical climate, and the penguins will be feeling frisky in the chill air. Restaurant stop after. Cindy, 248-336-2984. 

1/17 Kensington MetroPark Hike. Noon. Hike a moderately-paced 5 miles through the woods and around Wildwood Lake. Mostly level terrain, w/seven hills. Friendly black-capped chickadees, and maybe a deer or two, will be watching our progress! Meet in Southfield at Tel-12 Mall, S.E. corner of Telegraph and 12 Mile Rd. Park facing Telegraph, S. of the Marathon station. Restaurant stop after. Inge, 248-338-0906. 

1/23 (Sat.) Maybury State Park Hike. 11am. Hike a moderately paced 3-4 miles through the interior of this 944 acre park watching for signs of small mammals and over wintering bluebirds and robins. Terrain is gently rolling with a variety of woods and fields. Rain or shine, dress accordingly. Meet at the park concession bldg, Eight Mile Rd. entrance, 1.5 miles west of Beck Rd. (and Northville) 5 miles west of I-275. Entrance fee. Restaurant stop after. Tom Griebe, 248-349-8782. 

1/30 (Sat.) Ski or Hike Independence Oaks. 10:30am. This is the place for the most dependable snow in S.E. Michigan – We will ski (or if no snow – hike) for about 2 hours, stop in the warming ski shop to have our picnic lunch, then go out for more. Ski rental available. Several trail routes to accommodate different levels of skiers. Bring a picnic lunch and drink, skis or boots – depending on conditions, and we will make the most of the day. Dress in layers. No go if raining. Meet in Rochester Hills on the west side of the Meijer parking lot on Rochester Rd. near Auburn, (just north of M-59). County park fee. Mary Stoolmiller, 248-879-6004. 

February

2/6 (Sat.) Maybury in the Moonlight. 6:30pm. Come enjoy a chilly evening hike lighted by the moon at Maybury. We will go at a safe, moderate pace as we explore the trails of this former sanitarium - turned into - State Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the deer following us on the trails and the constellations overhead as we go approx. 4 miles. Dress in layers for the chill and meet at Maybury State Park - horse stable parking lot. Take Eight Mile Rd. to Beck Road (2 miles west of Northville); go south on Beck ¼ mile to entrance on west side. Drive in ¼ mile to the large horse stable lot. Restaurant stop after? Phil Crookshank; 248-797-2885. 

2/14 Brighton Rec. Area Hike. 11am. Enjoy a Valentine’s Day Hike - a moderate to brisk 5-mile hike in hilly, wooded terrain, with the option of adding 2 more miles. Call if weather is questionable. Meet in Southfield at Tel-12 Mall, S.E. corner of Telegraph and 12 Mile Rd. Park facing Telegraph, S. of the Marathon station. Optional stop afterwards for lunch or Valentines sweets at the Yum-Yum Tree in Brighton. Jo Ellen, 586-431-3104C.  

2/19-21 Ludington State Park/Nordhouse Dunes Snowshoe Weekend. We love the sand dunes in the summer - their rolling undulations and challenging footing are just as much fun when covered with snow. Be prepared for hours of vigorous outdoor activity, snowshoeing and hiking along Lake Michigan, observing icebergs, walking on a long pier, great camaraderie, and a cozy cabin for lodging in Ludington. Depart Friday afternoon - for those who can; others can join the group Saturday morning. Return Sunday evening. Sign-up deadline 1/15/10. Details: Ewa, ewarosz@yahoo.com or 734-756-5362. 

2/21 Seven Lakes State Park Hike. 10am. A traditionally cold, snowy 6-mile, moderately- paced hike taking in the open vistas of this scenic state park. Woods and rolling terrain surround the big lake. Bring boots, water and trail snacks for this invigorating hike. Meet in Bloomfield Hills behind the CVS pharmacy on the SE corner of Woodward & Square Lake Rd. (northeast end of lot). Optional restaurant stop after. John Herrgott, 248-766-9575. 

2/27 (Sat.) Proud Lake Hike. 11am. Enjoy a moderately paced, 5-mile hike through forest, wetland and riverside habitats. We will count the many deer prints on the trail and look for rainbow trout in the river as we the Huron River bridge. Hike goes rain or shine, so dress accordingly. Meet: From I-96 - exit 159, follow Wixom Rd. N. 7 miles; follow park signs to trailhead parking lot east of ranger station. Optional restaurant stop after. Tom Griebe, 248-349-8782.  

March

3/7 Explore the Zoo. Noon. Let’s have a nice hike at the Detroit Zoo – in Royal Oak. We will meet outside the gates of the main entrance, then go hike the many paths connecting outdoor and indoor exhibits. There might be some newborn animals to welcome in the spring. The butterfly house will have many species flitting around in their tropical climate and the polar bears will be feeling frisky in the chill air. Restaurant stop after. JoEllen, 586-431-3104C. 

3/14 Highland State Rec. Area Hike. 10am. We will hike 6 miles through rolling terrain looking for the first signs of the coming Spring. Come prepared for March weather with good boots, water and snacks. Meet in Bloomfield Township in the Costco parking lot near McDonalds on Telegraph (east side) north of Square Lake Rd. Optional restaurant stop after. John Herrgott, 248-766-9575. 

3/21 Belle Isle Hike. Noon. Let’s warm up from the winter chill by circumnavigating the island. We will hike at a moderate to brisk pace, stopping to observe the resident whitetail deer, the ducks swimming and any freighters on their first runs up the Detroit River. Meet in front of the (old) Belle Isle Casino (on Belle Isle); call if weather is ? Restaurant stop after. JoEllen, 586-431-3104. 

3/27 (Sat.) Maybury State Park Hike. 11am. Let’s enjoy the rolling hills, mature beech and oak tree woodlands and the historic TB sanatorium sites as we hike 3-4 miles at a moderate pace. Hike goes rain or shine; dress accordingly. Entrance fee. Meet at the park concession bldg., Eight Mile Rd. entrance, 1.5 miles west of Beck Rd. (and Northville); 5 miles west of  I-275. Restaurant stop after. Tom Griebe, 248-349-8782. 

3/28  [E] Cass Benton Arboretum Hike. 10am. A 4-mile, somewhat hilly walk in this historic arboretum alongside Hines Drive (near Northville) with both wooded and open terrain. We will search for specific trees using a park inventory list to identify some of the 400 specie. The spring buds should be breaking out. This is Palm Sunday, but we probably won’t find many palm trees. Meet in the picnic area parking lot – on the northwest corner of Northville Road at 6 Mile, near the new foot bridge. Optional restaurant stop after. Phil Crookshank, 248-797-2885. 

April

4/11 [E] Humbug Marsh Tour. 10am. Let’s tour this National Wildlife Refuge that is the last addition to the Detroit River Waterfront natural areas. Almost a mile of shoreline, and great habitat for waterfowl, birds, deer, and humans. We will be walking slowly on the nature trails, searching for signs of the spring residents, through upland forest, and waters edge cattails, using the observation deck to scan for ducks floating in Humbug Bay. We will enjoy our tour with a refuge staff guide. Meet behind the Dearborn Centennial Library, south side of Michigan Ave. just east of Southfield Fwy. Meet at west end of parking lot. Restaurant stop after. Phil Crookshank, 248-797-2885. 

September, 2010

9/3-12. Backpack Isle Royale. Ten days, (including traveling time) backpack adventure in Isle Royale National Park, Michigan. This is an island without roads, where the moose and the wolves live in a natural balance with each other. Loons, their eerie, demented laugh and distinctive checkered back is synonymous to backpackers. It is one of Michigan's most pristine settings, with 165 miles of hiking trails. It is the only National Park completely closed down in the winter, and is Michigan's best wilderness experience, to remember forever.
You must be prepared and experienced for a long backpack. For details contact Ewa Roszczenko: ewarosz@yahoo.com

***NOTE*** the details might change slightly, ferry schedules will be determined early spring, and this notice updated then.