Hike Northern Kane County 5.5 miles at Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest, picnic lunch

This is one of the most beautiful preserves in Kane County. It features Kames (big hills) along the trail which are covered with a carpet of greenery. The trails are easy in the sense that there are not rocks and roots popping up all over. However some of these trails you'll feel because there are some nice rolling hills.

Unlimited parking at the side of Tower road.

This hike is more than half wooded with tall Pine trees and Oaks. The trails are hard packed dirt with sections course gravel. Another area where we first start has a prairie with wildflowers and trails are plowed grass.
I did not need hiking poles for this hike. Although there are hills they are not even moderate with regards to complexity. The trails are at least 5 feet wide and no bushwhacking on this hike.

The geology and unique features here make this hike one that you shouldn't miss if you love nature and observing its beauty. There will be small ponds and wetlands, carpet of green to walk down amongst the tall pines and oaks.

Some portions form a loop and others are there and back. This is due to main parking areas closed off to public and only available for Scouts.

There are restroom facilities where we meet and other well maintained facilities during the hike.

If time permits I'll try to add some additional miles to this one. I'd like to have a 7 and 5.5 mile option but may not be possible if trails are overgrown.

This hike is cross posted with the Trailblazers Group https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/305027462
and my rsvp guests will include members of that group.

Optional picnic lunch:
Bring your own food or beverage and lawn chair and sit under the pavilion for a bite to eat. Socialize with others outdoors and leave whenever.
Keeping it simple, bring your own grill and a dish to pass if you wish. If the weather looks bad we can still have a bite to eat under a pavilion but would not count on many people going.

Websites
https://kaneforest.com/location/freeman-kame-meagher

Heads Up:
Allow extra time because Navigation directions using gps/maps pin/or any other navigation is unreliable in this area. It has told me to go to the wrong place even when previously working fine. Navigation in this area seems pretty unreliable for some reason. You can also review it on a laptop the day before as a way to reduce bad navigation directions.

Location:
Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve Shelter 1
39 Tower Hill Road Gilberts, IL (known by Google maps)

39w721 Tower Hill Road Gilberts, IL (a little more precise)

Or follow this Google Maps Pin:
https://goo.gl/maps/k2cQydQTNH4kNYQTA
The maps
The closest intersection is Route 72 Higgins road and Railroad street.

Driving Notes:
There are 3 entrances. Please be sure to use one of the above. If you type the name of the forest into the preserve you will end up at the wrong entrance. Please allow extra time and call me 847 757-1230.

Closest Intersection:
Higgins (route 72) and Railroad street.

More detailed driving notes if it starts looking weird (which it will)
When you get to Mill street you are close.
You must cross the railroad tracks to get to Tower Hill Road.
There should be a sign on intersection of Mill Street and Tower Hill Road.
There is an old yellow building near the intersection. Looks like a very old quaint town.
Tower Hill road is all gravel. This is correct, follow it .7 miles. You will feel like you are in the middle of nowhere but this is the right direction.
There will be above ground power lines on the right and residential
homes on the left. At about .7 miles down Tower Hill Road you'll see the entrance on your left. Follow the gravel road .1 miles to the shelter. You'll spot the shelter as you turn in and there is only one shelter.