Hike Dellwood scenic bluffs, fraction creek, & I&M canal, 3, 5 or 6 mile options

Optional post hike lunch
TBD

I last led a hike here 12/2022. Its a huge disk golf course but don't let that stop you from coming. This place is unlike anywhere I've ever been to. Be prepared for some nice elevation changes but gradual enough that even I didn't need hiking poles. I rate this area as mostly easy with a few moderate sections. Trails are not technically difficult unless you want to climb a bluff!

Allow 1.5 hours for a 3 mile hike option. This includes waiting the initial 10 minutes, stopping for pictures, and to regroup with slower walkers.

This hike is cross posted with Chicagoland Trailblazers Hiking Group and my guest rsvp includes members of the group
https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/312617489

Hike 1:
Its not an average walk in the park, its very scenic!
Dellwood park will have about 3 miles of scenic 30 to 60 foot bluffs and fun hills. There is no bushwhacking and trails are all very well maintained. On this section we will do a Fraction creek crossing which involves crossing over some unlevel areas of concrete. There will be unique concrete antique style bridge crossings here and there. Trails are a combo of wood chip mulch, gravel, dirt, grass, and small portions asphalt. End up back at the parking lot. Thinly forested in most areas.
They call it the "Canyons" for a reason.
You will have a few opportunities to do some intermediate bluff climbs on this hike. I'll point out a few and you can spot others and do them as you wish. There are no required bluff climbs on this hike and others who wish to do them will regroup on the same trail by taking gentle incline up.

Hike 2:
The I&M canal hike is there and back. You can choose how far you want to go but may have to walk back on your own. You will not get lost. I will show you directions on hike 1 how to get back. Walk a bit one way down the I&M then the other way.

Details
From the parking lot head back to the I&M canal. There is a quarter miles section from Dellwood to I&M that made me a bit anxious at first even with my son. It was a creepy tunnel under 171, with a little boardwalk and odd shaped concrete. It went on to a quarter mile trail and then reaches a pedestrian friendly passenger railroad crossing over to I&M.
We can go left or right for as long as the group wants. We can also do a combo of both. We will avoid areas with heavy industrial and turn back the other way to gain as much natural area here as possible. The trail goes a long way either direction and goal is to leverage the best of both directions on this hike.

Location
Park at the first lot immediately as you turn in. make an immediate right and park there. Its a huge parking area and we'll walk to trail from where we park.

Location
Dellwood Park, Woods Dr, Lockport, IL 60441