Fall Colors Hike at Ryerson Conservation area in Lake County, 5.5 miles or 3

Optional post hike lunch
TBD

Location:
There are two parking lots and we are meeting in the Brushwood Center parking lot.

Late Arrivals/Overflow parking
If you arrive past 10:15 please drive to the other parking lot.
You can still join the hike if you get there late.
If you get there late or can't find a place to park in the Brushwood lot, park in the other lot which has a farm and Silos.
We will meet you there at about 10:30 because the hike goes past that parking lot.
Meet by the two big barn silos next to a big white building. We'll hike by there and join up.

Summary:
This is a very popular place to go and lots of people come here to bird watch and enjoy nature.

The entire hike is very easy, flat and well-groomed, no bushwhacking. Sections of it near the river will be muddy if there has been rain.
There are lots of board walks and streams which meander thru out.
Portions of this hike go along the Des Plaines river. Its a scenic area to go for a hike.

The entire preserve is woodland and has no invasive species. Tall majestic trees and nice flat smooth trails make it a pleasure to enjoy scenery without constantly looking down for some tripping hazard.
Restroom facilities are available.

This hike is cross posted with other meetup groups including Chicagoland Trailblazers https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/310532606 and my guest rsvp will include members of this group.

Hike 1:
Part of the trail went into a farm area for just a short bit. We'll follow the trail along the Des Plaines river and back into the forest. There are a few nice boardwalks on this section. After 3 miles we'll be back at the parking lot.

Hike 2:
Walk across the parking lot and pick up the trailhead across the road. This section is more scenic. There are many more boardwalks in this section and it also heads back toward the Des Plaines river.

Hike details from the website:
Rare species, rare communities and exceptional natural areas combine to make this a very special preserve. More than half of the land is so ecologically valuable that it is dedicated as an Illinois Nature Preserve and benefits from special protection rules.

The preserve's rich natural and cultural history is recognized by its dual designation as an Illinois Nature Preserve (a selection saved for ecologically high quality land) and as a Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places.

website:
https://www.lcfpd.org/ryerson/