Mt Rainier Backpack Training-Hike 10 Miles at Bullfrog Lake (Backpack Optional)

The 12 of us hiking Mt Rainier in July are looking for a training opportunity to get back in the feel of wearing full backpacks over a distance. Others are welcome to join us, with or without a backpack.

Saturday, May 17th. We will meet up at 8:15 and hit the trail right at 8:30 AM. Not a beginner’s hike but not a terribly rugged hike either. We will hike the entire Yellow 8.3 mile loop of the Palos trail system, part of the Cook County Preserves in the southwest suburbs, along with a 1.5 mile section of the green and orange trails. These are well-maintained and well-marked trails. We will end up a short walk from the parking lot.

Wear comfortable clothes. Bring water and a snack for the trail. Boots with good chunky tread or running shoes will probably be fine. If you are up for the challenge, bring a comfortable backpack with about 25 pounds of gear inside. Again, we will not be camping but will use the day to become friends again with our backpacks.

We will meet at the last parking lot immediately in front of Bullfrog Lake. Basically, enter the road to Bullfrog lake off of Wolf Road and drive to the last parking lot, a big circle, and park there.

We will first hike a short section of the Green trail and then Orange trail south from the parking lot to connect with the Yellow trail loop. After completing the Yellow trail loop counter-clockwise through the forest we will return to the parking lot north on the Orange then Green trails.

If this is all too much to remember don’t worry. The trail itself can be a little confusing. I’ll have maps for everyone.

Bullfrog Lake Forest Preserve

9550 S Wolf Rd,

Willow Springs, IL

Directions: From I-55 (near I-294) take exit 279 - South La Grange Rd. WATCH YOUR SPEED!. I HAVE NEVER DRIVEN THIS SECTION OF LA GRANGE ROAD WITHOUT SEEING MEMBERS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY! Take the Archer Ave. South (Highway 171) exit off of La Grange. Continue South on Archer as it crosses through Willow Springs. Take the left onto 95th street and at the top of the hill take a right onto Wolf road. Take the Bullfrog Lake entrance to the right off of Wolf road. Drive to the last parking lot, the big circle, at the bottom of the hill and park there

More information on the Palos Trail System click here:

Palos Trail System Map Click Here (https://cambr.org/assets/images/maps/Palos2010Map.pdf)

I hope you can make the hike; it should be a nice hike.

Lyle