Hike McHenry County, stunning Veteran Acres/Sterne's woods 5 miles, 8.25 option

Optional post hike lunch:
The Cottage pub
6 E. Crystal Lake Ave, Crystal Lake
https://www.thecottagepub.net/
Separate checks ok per Jay
Reservation under Lynette/hiking group

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 end time of 1:30 is assuming you do the full 8 miles.

Hike Summary - Moderate hike with easy sections
Features well maintained trails over rolling terrain thru beautiful grove of tall majestic evergreens, 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. It is easy to get lost in this preserve and important to stay together as a group.

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 1: 5 miles
Features Veteran Acres and Sterne's woods
There is no shorter option and finding your way back requires good navigation skills.
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 and end up in adjacent Sterne's woods. 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. We have never encountered excessive mud on this hike. After 5 miles end up back at the lot.

Hike 2: 3.25 miles (8.25 cumulative)
Features Veteran Acres
Its an easy hike with moderate sections over unlevel terrain with rocks, roots and hills.
We'll go around the pond and head into Veteran acres for 3.5 miles of beauty and rolling hills. It features beautiful views of the meadow and hikes thru forest, both pine and deciduous.

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/