McHenry County, 7+ mile hike at Fox Bluff Conservation area, 5 or 3 mile options

Optional post hike lunch
Galati's Hideaway
800 Feinberg Ct. Cary
https://galatis.com/
5 minutes away, no reservation needed, separate checks ok

Summary:
I discovered this preserve while hiking with my son in Summer of 2020 and like it so much that I've visited every year. What this little preserve lacks in size it fully makes up for with its beauty!

This is mostly an easy hike but features inclines and declines with up to 100 foot elevation change. A few areas of the trail are moderate hike with some kind of steep hills and I was glad I brought my hiking poles for those. Please be sure to wear hiking shoes or boots with good traction. Some parts of the trail are 2 feet wide and most are 4 to 5 feet wide. No mud encountered, its packed dirt or grass and no bikes allowed.

The preserve has very clean restroom facilities.

Features of this hike:

• 3 to 4 foot waterfall,
• Steep ravine and looks like they have now groomed this section to be a formal new trail. Its no longer considered off trail. This enables hikers to go up and down if they wish and others can wait at the top.
• 100 foot elevation gain according to Alltrails
• Wildflowers along the trail including Mayapple, Virginia Bluebell, Dutchman breeches
• Rushing creeks thru the preserve and stepping stones to go over them
• Thick canopy of forest the entire hike, deer and rabbits can pop out at any time.
• Watch boats speed down the Fox river

Hike 1: 3 miles
End up back at the parking lot after 3 miles. We'll also take a very short easy .25 mile hike to the Fox river. Its less than 2 hours for a 3 mile option.

Hike 2: 4.5 to 5 miles:
I'll take a few other trails that we didn't do in hike 1. When we get to Cary Algonquin road some of us will cross over for hike 3. Depending on which way you take back (on your own), it will be either 4.5 miles or 5.

Hike 3: 7 to 7.5 miles cumulative
Cross Cary road and take the asphalt bike path along the road about third of a mile. Enter Hoffman Park which has a combination of asphalt, grass and gravel trails. Sections of it are pretty with a few hills.
If time permits, visit Rotary park which has a lake. This is the area Devin told me about! To get back we either have to backtrack or go thru a residential neighborhood for a few blocks.

Location
1300 Cold Springs Rd. Algonquin IL

Directions
The closest intersection is Main st and Algonquin.

Where to meet
Meet in front of the information sign

Websites
https://www.mccdistrict.org/visit___explore/places_to_go/find_a_site/fox_bluff.php

https://files.mccdistrict.org//All%20Sites/Fox-Bluff-Site_History.pdf

This hike is cross posted with the Trailblazers hiking group and my guest rsvp will include members of www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/304721150