Hike McHenry County 8.3 miles with 4.5 option, Moraine Hills State Park

Optional Post Hike Lunch
DC Cobbs
1204 N Green st McHenry
20+ unique burgers, house-crafted brews
8 minutes away, separate checks ok
https://www.dccobbs.net

Where to Meet:
Inside Moraine Hills State Park. Address is 1510 S River Rd McHenry

We are meeting at Northern Woods lot. Follow https://maps.app.goo.gl/A1y8XwMuXnnKSrjQ7?g_st=ic
or click on the map pin in meetup.

Hike 1:
4.5 miles on Lake Defiance Loop. Easy to make a shorter option of 2 or 3 miles by simply turning around after certain distance.

Well groomed wide trails combo of crushed limestone/sand/fine gravel or asphalt. Asphalt sections vary intermittently but never walking on it for extended lengths.
Visit the boardwalk as an optional side trip. We'll stop at the office building / nature center and walk down it. It will be a short 15-20 minute side excursion from the main trail.

Hike 2:
Return to the parking lot, use facilities and hike another 3.75 miles on the blue trail. This hike is much the same as previous with regards to complexity but does introduce Fox Nature trail which is grass and hard packed dirt. Its very well maintained and not quite as level. Just a few minor obstacles here and there. On this one for 1/2 mile you may need to look where your walking a bit. Its a very easy trail but just not quite as flat and well groomed.

Details
I first did this hike Oct 2019 with my son and I led a second hike with the Trailblazer group July, 2020. It can be a very hot hike here in Summer as we found out and I try to avoid that.

This is a scenic hike on well maintained wide level trails. We will hike Lake Defiance trail. It loops around a lake which will be in and out of view at various times. Follow one huge loop around the lake. Expect a mix of 50/50 sun and shade. Very easy level trail with crushed limestone and asphalt and a few nice gentle hills.

This hike is cross posted with Chicagoland Trailblazers Hiking Group https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/313077265 and my guest rsvp includes members of the group.

Location
1510 S. River Rd, McHenry IL
Directions (From Ted Villaire's book 60 hikes within 60 miles)
From the North: IL Rt. 12 south to Rt. 176, West on Rt.176 to River Road, North on River Road approx. 2 miles to entrance
From the South: IL Rt. 12 north to Rt. 176, West on Rt. 176 to River Road, North on River Road approx. 2 miles to entrance
From the East: Rt. 176 to River Road, North on River Road approx. 2 miles to entrance
From the West: IL Rt. 176 East to River Road, North on River Road approx. 2 miles to entrance

Website
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/MoraineHills.aspx