Hike Chain O Lakes State park, Blue, Green, Red trails 6.5 miles, 4.5 option

Optional post hike lunch
TBD

Meeting Location
Horse tailor parking lot
Go exactly 1/2 mile after you turn into the park. Then make a left turn at the sign that says "Horse trailer Parking".
You will pass the permit office and stop sign. There is no entrance fee for daily use. Look for the sign Horse trailers parking shortly after the permit office.

Map pin for the parking lot:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1EmZUpLHjuGZ8WLY6?g_st=ic

Hike Summary
There is an option to do 4.5 miles and end up in the parking lot. This is hike 1. The second hike adds 2 additional miles on the red trail.
Woodland with scenic vistas of rolling terrain and some prairie views.
Over 80% shade but full sun exposure at times for up to 10-15 minutes.
Then its all woodland with some filtered light.
There are some hilly areas and if you've been to Moraine Hills State Park or Freeman Kame its similar to that.
This is an easy hike for experienced hikers but people not used to hiking should consider it intermediate. The trails are unlevel in areas and can be slippery in a few areas after a heavy rain. There was not much mud even after a heavy rain, just a few areas.
Expect trails of all sizes and shapes, from narrow single track to 3-4 foot wide dirt to wide crushed gravel or grass.
These are all natural surface trails shared with equestrian riders.

Hike 1
Blue and Green trails and will end up being about 4.5 miles.
These are loops and end up back at the parking lot. Heavily forested area with filtered sunshine.
Not as many wildflowers on this part since its so shaded but still very nice.I will show you a new spur trail that connects to another set of trails (Goldfinch, Badger, Sunset and more!).
Its possible to get 12+ miles and no repeats with what I discovered.
This undocumented trail is not on Alltrails and nowhere on the published map.
You will learn where the trails of two major trail systems connect on this hike.

Hike 2:
Red Trail - 2 additional miles for a total of 6.5.
Expect 75% shade and 25% full sun with prairie views in full bloom.
There were many swallowtails and a few monarchs last year.
We will never walk in full sun longer than 10 minutes at a time on this trail.

This hike is cross posted with Trailblazers hiking group https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/308362999 and my guest rsvp will include members of that group.