Overnight backpacking in Sand Ridge State Forest
Details
RSVPs open September 24 at noon.
Trip Summary:
Mileage: 15.8 miles
Terrain/conditions: moderate / sandy soil
Duration: 1 night
Trail map here
Prior backpacking experience is required. This is an intermediate trip, although open beginners with appropriate experience and physical fitness to hike and camp without assistance. (Sand can be hard to hike in!)
You will be asked to enter your email when you RSVP. The organizer will contact you to set up a planning discussion for the group. Please respond to organizer emails in a timely manner or risk forfeiting your spot on the trip. Participation is at the discretion of the organizer.
About the Trip
This is a surprisingly interesting spot in the middle of a Illinois cornfields with “sweeping expanses of native oak-hickory, extensive plantations of pine, sprawling open fields, grasslands, and completely unique sand prairies.” More info here https://stateparks.com/sand_ridge_state_forest_in_illinois.html
Tentative Itinerary - full details will be shared with participants via email.
Saturday morning: arrival to the park by 10am (3hr drive from Chicago)
Saturday mileage: approx 9 miles
Sunday mileage: approx 6.8 miles
Warning: the 15 mile route may seem low-mileage, but we will be hiking on sand, and often loose sand, for the whole trip.
Transportation:
Trip organizers do not arrange carpools but we do encourage carpooling. If you want to offer or solicit a ride, use the Comments section for the trip.
Each member is responsible for getting to the meeting point on time. If you are going to be late, contact the trip organizer as this affects the entire group. Each car should make its own gas reimbursement arrangements.
Costs: ~$5-7 each for camping site reservation
Acknowledgement:
As a member of the Chicago Backpackers Group, by registering (RSVPing) for this event, you accept that Hiking & Backpacking can be a dangerous sport and fully assume all risks associated with such participation, including travel to and from the event. You agree to be responsible for your own safety and equipment. You realize that conditions, obstacles, and weather are always changing, and your personal safety cannot be guaranteed. You understand the Meetup.com Terms of Service agreement which you signed when you joined Meetup (link below) and accept that participation is at your own risk. You agree to communicate with event organizers to plan for the trip and sign the Release of Liability provided by the organizers prior to participation.
Click here to review the Meetup.com Terms of Service.
(https://www.meetup.com/terms/)
For any questions, send a direct message to the organizer. Review the club guidelines posted here:
https://www.meetup.com/Chicago-Backpackers/