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Event Information

Event Date: September 27, 2025

Location: Waterloo-Pinckney Trail

Length of Hike: 22 miles

Registration Fee: $75 registration fee for the 22-mile hike, and a $50 registration fee for the 2-mile hike. Your registration fee will be credited toward your overall fundraising goal.

Event Schedule

Friday, September 26: 

Team Dinner & Packet Pick-up 7:00 p.m.
Grand River Brewing - Jackson, Michigan

You won't want to miss the Team Dinner! Outside of a tasty meal and meeting other Trailblazers before you hit the trail in the morning, you will receive your hiker packet. This includes your event t-shirt, bandana, hiker bib, trail map, gear check/comfort bag and more. You will hear first-hand the impact of your fundraising from a local wish family and we will also hold our safety briefing. We promise not to keep you late as we know it's an early start to the day on Saturday! (Friends/Family are welcome to join, we just ask that they cover the cost of $30 for their dinner.)

Saturday, September 27:

Trailblaze Challenge!

Meet at Big Portage Lake Parking Lot at 5:15 a.m. (You will leave your car here as this is where the hike will finish.) Buses will load promptly by 5:30 a.m. and travel about 20 minutes to the start line at Green Lake. After a quick team photo, our first group of hikers will hit the trail at 6:00 a.m. 

Route maps are coming soon! There will be a total of 3 aid-stations throughout the 22-miles, with the second aid-station being lunch. The trail has cell phone reception and support vehicles will be available throughout the entire hike should you need one. Family and friends are welcome to meet you at the finish line to celebrate your accomplishment!

Lodging

*We have a block of hotel rooms at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Jackson that we are highly encouraging you to stay at on Friday night. (Those who individually fundraise a minimum of $2,500 will have a room provided for them.) Another option is to camp at Pinckney State Recreation area on Friday night. Follow the link HERE to book your room at the block rate.  The block is available for Friday & Saturday night should you wish to stay two nights.

For more details on the event and to register, please visit: www.trailblazechallengemi.org

About the Trailblaze Challenge

The Trailblaze Challenge is a 22-mile hike where participants can tackle the terrain of the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail - all in one amazing day! This is a hike, not a race, and caters to all levels, from novice to advanced outdoor enthusiasts.

As well as being an extraordinary physical test, the real challenge is to raise much-needed funds to grant the wishes of children with critical illnesses in Michigan. Now more than ever, hope is essential. Make-A-Wish is committed to ensuring that no eligible child waits to experience the hope and joy a wish brings.

By supporting the Trailblaze Challenge, you will help Make-A-Wish Michigan grant even more wishes this year.

View our photo gallery to see pictures from last year's Trailblaze Challenge!

Contact Us

Rachel Smith: rsmith@michigan.wish.org / 616-363-4687