Hike Will County's largest preserve Hickory Creek, 8.5 miles, 5 mile option

Optional post hike lunch
Stoney Point Grill
19031 Old Lagrange Rd, Mokena
https://mokena.stoneypointgrill.com/
Separate checks ok per Courtney
20% gratuity for groups

Overview
Hickory Creek Preserve is located in Mokena near Frankfurt and about 25 minutes south of Palos/Teason Woods/Swallow Cliff stairs area.

At 1,500 acres this is the largest preserve in Will County.

This hike is cross posted with https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/308704523 and my guest rsvp includes members of that group.

Hike Summary
Dense forest with just a few areas of full sun exposure in the prairie.

Easy hike with some unlevel surfaces; rocks and roots are tripping hazards.

Mix of trail surfaces including grass but mostly narrow hard packed dirt mountain bike trails. Some trails are just a foot wide for a bit and tall vegetation on either side. No significant elevation changes except maybe a 4% grade up or down 12 feet.

Areas of narrow trail have 12 foot drop off to a creek tributary on one side.

Not entirely flat as you look into the forest, some areas have 10 to 20 foot gently rolling terrain and bluffs.

Numerous mountain bike trail splits make this one easy to get lost or turned around without good navigation device. Few creek crossings of narrow tributaries of Hickory Creek and have very little water.

Scenic views along the main Hickory Creek (lots more water!) toward the end of the hike.

Wildflowers in bloom in the prairie and along the creek are the most scenic sections of the hike.

Hike 1 Details (5 miles)
Starts out with flat easy short mowed grass trails and full sun exposure with tall vegetation on either side. After about 3/4 mile the trail will head into a dense shaded canopy of forest. These are all narrow hard-packed dirt mountain bike trails.

Very similar to Palos trails but not as many elevation changes. Another thing I noticed is that in sections of this preserve the forest is so dense that there are no plants growing. Looking at the ground you'd think it was Fall unless you look up and see green trees. Not everywhere is like this and some filtered light does get thru to allow growth on the forest floor.

I noticed that compared to other forests, there seems to be a lot of new growth trees mixed in with very tall old growth trees. These younger trees, 3-4 inch diameter, are trying to grow and slowly succeeding, but tall older trees canopy heavily shading them.

Hike 2 Details (~3 more miles):
Portions of this one are some of the best hikes I've done in the local area!

Mix of narrow single track dirt trails, wider dirt trails fitting two people walking side by side, and roughly half of it is asphalt bike trail.

Even the asphalt section is very pretty with thick tall forest on either side. Continue along Hickory Creek single track trail with occasional views of Hickory Creek. Narrow trail goes thru a patch of 6 foot high yellow cutleaf coneflower growing on either side.

This hike has more filtered sunlight and features more wild plants. Its far more scenic than the first, some surprising gorgeous bluffs! 50 foot drop down a ravine with a creek at the bottom and follow a trail goes along side of it.

Few miles in catch a trail that's packed dirt and runs along side of a small lake. On the right is a lake and on the left is a wooded ravine maybe 15-20 feet deep. The return trail back to the lot is asphalt to form a loop.

Location
There are multiple entrances
10537 W La Porte Road Mokena

drive to the second parking lot
Https://maps.app.goo.gl/yHQGDpCHDS48QcSU6?g_st=ic41.52132, -87.8728