Hike McHenry County, stunning Veteran Acres/Sterne's woods 4.7 miles, 8.2 option

Optional post hike lunch:
TBD

I first led a hike here on 08/09/2020
and excited to schedule this hike in later Spring because we've not hiked here in warmer weather since then!

The mileage options on this hike are subject to change because there are trails here that I've never done yet.

This hike is cross posted with Chicagoland Trailblazers Hiking group
https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/313076839
and my guest rsvp includes members of the group.

Hike Summary
Features well maintained trails over rolling terrain thru beautiful grove of tall majestic evergreens. Stunning for this time of year and one of my favorite local hikes. Good shoes/boots are highly recommended due to some areas with rough terrain and hills. This preserve has dozens of different trails jotting out from every direction. Without an app it can get confusing pretty quick.

Hike 1: 4.75 miles Moderate hike
I needed hiking poles for portions of this one. Please consider your own abilities whether or not you need poles. We'll start out in Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake. Its a manicured park but that does not last long. A few miles into the hike we'll see deep ravines filled with tall evergreens. We'll take the Moraine View trail which is a single file packed dirt. Be prepared to climb some pretty steep hills over forest trail. I only encountered one small muddy area which I was able to navigate around. We'll end up back at the parking lot.

Hike 2: 3.5 miles (8.25 cumulative) Easy hike
Go around the lake and head into Veteran acres for 3.5 miles of beauty and rolling hills. A bit more tame than the first part but still has some hills.

Location:
https://goo.gl/maps/8zjYV3taxew5z5du5
or just click on the map inside this event if you have Meetup installed on your phone.

Where to meet
431 Walkup road Crystal Lake at Veteran Acres Park in Crystal Lake.
Once in the parking lot meet on the side near the restroom facilities. We will start walking at 10:10am.
Please do not enter Sterns Woods in your GPS or you may end up in the wrong parking lot.

Location
There are multiple entrances.
431 Walkup road Crystal Lake at Veteran Acres park. The closest intersection is corner is Walk up road and 176. The entrance is about .2
miles west on Walkup road.

Websites
https://www.crystallakeparks.org/interactive-map/veteran-acres
https://www.crystallakeparks.org/interactive-map/sternes-woods-and-fen
http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2015/06/23/militelo/