How the trail was built.
The Potowatomi Mountain Biking Association (PotoMBA – www.potomba.org), an International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Chapter, spearheaded the trail development with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). In February 2015, PotoMBA and MDNR signed an Operating Agreement to construct the Midwest’s most epic mountain bike trail system. In early 2016, the DTE Energy Foundation provided over a quarter-million dollars to fund trail construction, and the trail was rebranded from the “Waterloo Trail” to the DTE Energy Foundation Trail. The first 5.2 mile loop of the trail at Green Lake was completed in June 2016. The second loop, on “the Big Kame” was completed in May 2017. The third loop, “Winn” was completed in August 2018. The fourth loop, “Sugar” was completed in August 2019. A potential fifth loop of the trail approximating 4 miles is possible in the future, pending MDNR approval. Follow our Facebook page for updates.
How you can help.
Development of the DTE Energy Foundation mountain bike trail system was a massive undertaking requiring significant monetary and human resources. The community and mountain biking public came together to support this project. Fund raising and sponsorship development continues, to build and maintain the trail system.
You can help maintain it >
DTE Energy Foundation Trail on Facebook
Update Thursday February 13th: ❄️ Winter Route Open ❄️ With the Winter Route groomed we go into Winter Groomed Trail Etiquette. What is “Winter Groomed Trail Etiquette”?![]()
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When sufficient snowfall exists on the trail (typically 4”-5” or more) such that it would impede regular foot and bike use, we will be grooming the trail to provide for a hard, compacted trail tread (surface). While this trail tread is firm, it still does not lend itself to normal season foot and bike tire use. Normal foot use will “post hole” (create deep depressions) and normal bike tire use (under 3.8”) will “pizza cut” (create deep, meandering channels) in the groomed tread, rendering it less-than-satisfying for all users. For this reason, when the trail is groomed, it is:![]()
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OPEN FOR USE BY FAT TIRE BIKERS, CROSS-COUNTRY SKIERS AND SNOWSHOERS![]()
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The equipment utilized for these uses all create “floatation” which suspends the user on the top of the trail tread without “breaking through”. We respectfully ask that normal foot and narrower tire mountain bikes stay off the groomed trail and turn their use to the plethora of other non-groomed trails and pathways in the local area. Fat tire bikes should be over 3.8” in width, and run under 10 p.s.i. in each tire (around 5 p.s.i. is typical).