Hike Naperville, 2, 4.5, or 7.5 miles at McDowell Grove forest preserve

Optional post hike lunch:
TBD

This was the first place I ever led a hike as the new leader of Trailblazers in July 2019! I've been here at least a dozen times since.

1:30 end time is assuming a 7 mile hike and likely we'll finish before.

This hike is cross posted with Chicagoland Trailblazers Hiking Group
https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/310561041
and my guest rsvp includes members of the group.

Description
Follow the river and walk a 2 mile loop which leads back to the parking lot. Once we are back at the lot, there's an option to take another trail to add about 2.5 miles for 4.5 total. Get back to lot and take another trail for another 3 miles, 7.5 total.

This is a very easy hike with wide flat crushed limestone trails with no elevation changes. One small section may have a few tree roots running thru but still very easy. The trails are a combination of loops and there and back.

From the web:
This is a 515 acre area which is comprised of mature woodlands, open fields with Eastern Blue Birds and Coopers Hawks which are seen frequently. There is a flood plain forest with towering Butternuts and Black Maples trees.

Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.

Hike 1:
For a 2 mile walk it will be under an hour and we'll do the southern loop.

Hike 2:
For 4.5 miles allow about 2.25 hours, arrive back at lot. This will head towards the north and be a there and back hike

Hike 3:
For 7.5 miles, repeat a small part of hike 1 until we reach a trail split. By taking the trail to the right this time it will lead over to the defunct dam built by the CCC. We can continue toward Ogden even passing under it until 1 mile mark, then head back.

Directions:
McDowell Grove is on the east side of Raymond Drive, south of Interstate 88.
The main entrance is south of Diehl Road, approximately 1 mile north of Ogden Avenue (Route 34).

Trail Map:
https://www.dupageforest.org/hubfs/Places-to-Go/Documents/Forest-Preserves/mcdowell-grove-trails-guide-map-2018.pdf

Web Site:
https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/mcdowell-grove#trails