Trail 2-47 Mountain Bike Trail

Hello, Michigan cycling enthusiasts! For those of us living in the Dearborn area and across Southeast Michigan, finding a convenient spot to hit the trails and get a great ride in can be a game-changer. Today, we're taking a closer look at the Trail 2-47 Mountain Bike Trail, an intriguing part of the larger Hines Park trail system in Dearborn, MI. This urban trail offers a surprisingly challenging and fun experience for riders looking for a quick escape into nature without traveling far from home.

Michigan boasts a fantastic network of trails, from serene rail-trails to rugged mountain bike paths. The Trail 2-47 adds a unique dimension to this landscape by providing an off-road experience right within an urban setting. While it might not be an "epic ride" in the traditional sense of vast wilderness trails, it serves a crucial role for local cyclists: offering a readily accessible place for skill development, quick workouts, and enjoying the outdoors on a variety of bikes. It's a testament to the dedication of local riders and organizations who work to maintain and improve these valuable green spaces, even when they face natural challenges.

The Trail 2-47 Mountain Bike Trail is located within Hines Park, with a general access point near 19853 Garrison Pl, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA. Hines Park itself is a long, linear parkway stretching through several communities along the Middle Rouge River, making it a well-known and generally accessible green corridor in Wayne County.

Its Dearborn location makes it particularly convenient for residents of Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, and other neighboring communities in Southeast Michigan. Being part of a larger park system, ample parking is typically available at various access points along Hines Drive, which is a significant advantage for cyclists transporting their bikes. One reviewer specifically noted that there are different entry points, recommending "starting at Military" over the "Outer Drive" entrance due to an initial steep downhill. This highlights the flexibility in accessing the trail system. While the trail might have sections impacted by storm drain runoff, its integration into the well-established Hines Park system means it's generally well-connected by paved pathways, allowing riders to either drive directly to a trailhead or even cycle to the trail from nearby areas. This urban accessibility is a key factor in its suitability for locals.

As a public mountain bike trail within a park system, Trail 2-47 does not offer "services" in a commercial sense (like rentals or guided tours). Instead, its primary function is to provide an open, accessible, and challenging natural environment for self-guided cycling and other recreational activities.

• Mountain Biking Access: The core offering is providing trails specifically designed for mountain biking, allowing riders to navigate natural terrain, including technical sections, climbs, and descents.
• Cyclocross and Gravel Biking: The terrain is noted as suitable for "cyclocross, gravel & mountain bikes," indicating that riders with various off-road bicycle types can enjoy the trails, expanding its appeal.
• Technical Skill Practice: The trails offer "a handful of opportunities to test your technical skills," providing sections where riders can improve their bike handling, balance, and obstacle navigation.
• Workout and Fitness Opportunity: For those living nearby, the trails provide a convenient location for a "quick workout," offering a dynamic and engaging way to exercise outdoors.
• Nature Immersion: Despite its urban location, the trail allows users to immerse themselves in a natural setting, providing an escape from city life and an opportunity to connect with the environment.
• Community Events (Potential): While specific recurring events directly on Trail 2-47 aren't detailed in the provided reviews, the mention of "Wednesday night World Championship races from April to August" at North Sea Tac (a similar urban trail) suggests that local groups like the Motor City Mountain Biking Association (MCMBA), which supports Hines Park trails, might organize similar community rides or events that leverage sections like Trail 2-47. Users are encouraged to check with local cycling groups for organized activities.

The Trail 2-47 Mountain Bike Trail, despite its challenges, offers several notable features and highlights that make it a unique and valuable spot for Michigan cyclists:

• Versatile Terrain: Its suitability for "cyclocross, gravel & mountain bikes" is a significant highlight. This broad compatibility means riders don't need a specific type of bike to enjoy the trails, offering flexibility for a wider range of cycling enthusiasts.
• Technical Sections: The presence of "a handful of opportunities to test your technical skills" means that even experienced riders can find challenges to refine their abilities. These technical sections can include roots, rocks, short climbs, and tight turns.
• Urban Accessibility: As an urban trail system, its primary strength is its convenient location. For those "west of the Duwamish" (or in the Dearborn area), it's a "great place for a quick workout" that avoids long drives to more remote trail systems.
• Potential for Flow: While some sections may seem "disjointed and haphazard," experienced riders can "string together a course to get a decent flow going for about 4 miles of riding without too much repetition." This indicates that with familiarity, the trail offers a rewarding and continuous riding experience.
• Dynamic and Evolving: The mention of sections being "washed out by the storm drain runoff" and needing "clean up and maintenance" indicates that it's a dynamic, natural trail that requires ongoing care. This also suggests that local trail advocacy groups are involved in its upkeep, potentially leading to continuous improvements over time.
• Integrated into Hines Park: Being part of the larger Hines Park system provides riders with access to other park amenities and connecting paved paths, offering options to extend rides or combine them with other outdoor activities.

As a public trail within Hines Park, the Trail 2-47 Mountain Bike Trail does not have a direct contact phone number. For any inquiries regarding the park, trail conditions, or maintenance, the appropriate contact would be the Wayne County Parks and Recreation Department, which oversees Hines Park.

Address: 19853 Garrison Pl, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA (This address is a general point of reference near one of the access points to the trail system within Hines Park.)

For up-to-date information on trail conditions (especially regarding washouts or maintenance), local cyclists often rely on community forums, social media groups dedicated to Michigan mountain biking, or trail-specific websites like MTB Project or Trailforks, where conditions are frequently updated by users and local trail organizations such as the Motor City Mountain Biking Association (MCMBA). For official inquiries, consulting the Wayne County Parks website for general contact information is advisable.

For Michigan locals, particularly those in the Dearborn area and throughout Southeast Michigan, the Trail 2-47 Mountain Bike Trail offers a uniquely suitable and valuable cycling experience. Its primary appeal lies in its unparalleled urban accessibility. In a region where many mountain biking opportunities might require a longer drive, Trail 2-47 provides a convenient escape for a "quick workout" or a much-needed dose of trail riding close to home. This ease of access encourages more frequent engagement with cycling, fitting into busy schedules.

Despite its urban setting and current maintenance needs, the trail provides genuine technical challenges that can help riders of all levels hone their skills. The versatility to accommodate "cyclocross, gravel & mountain bikes" means that many local cyclists can enjoy the terrain with their preferred equipment, adding to its broad appeal. While new visitors might find the layout "disjointed" at first, the ability to "string together a course to get a decent flow going" over approximately four miles of riding is a significant draw, promising a rewarding experience for those who invest a little time in learning the routes.

The fact that this trail is actively used and commented on by locals, even when facing issues like storm drain runoff, speaks to its importance as a community asset. It provides a vital connection to nature and an active outlet within the urban environment. For Michigan residents seeking an accessible, challenging, and evolving trail experience that supports their passion for off-road cycling, Trail 2-47 Mountain Bike Trail in Dearborn is a commendable local choice that offers both convenience and genuine riding excitement.

Trail 2-47 Mountain Bike Trail

19853 Garrison Pl, Dearborn, MI 48124, USA