Hike the hidden trails at Busse Woods, single track! 3, 4.5, & 6 mile options
Details
Optional post hike lunch:
TBD
Hike Summary:
I rate this hike as easy with a few moderate sections.
Its not a walk on all asphalt bike trails as Busse is known for. Portions of the hike include asphalt bike trails in order to form loops as needed.
The entire hike is heavily forested.
There are no elevation changes but the ground will be unlevel and single track during much of the hike. You can expect tall vegetation on either side and must be comfortable climbing over a few logs and going underneath a few. There are hidden tripping obstacles under the leaves. I did not have to bushwhack to make a trail. But I did have to go around a few fallen trees to get back to an established single track trail.
Parking:
We are meeting at Grove 2 and there are over 30 groves. Please use your choice of directions to find the meeting place.
Google Map Pin:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YzzYZ5rMmJQjyRNE9?g_st=ic
Lat Long:
42.0369012,-88.0006180
You may also click on the map in the meetup app.
Manual Directions:
Grove 2 is located on the north side of Higgins road.
Its between route 53 and Arlington Heights road.
Driving West on Higgins:
About 1/2 mile west of Arlington Heights road and will be on your right. Its the first entrance.
Driving East on Higgins:
About 1.5 miles east of route 53. It will be on your left and its the third entrance.
Hike Details:
Hike 1: 3 miles
Will follow the bike trail and include a visit to the Elk pasture. Restroom facilities available about 1.5 miles into the hike. At 3 miles we arrive back at the parking lot. This hike is about 50% bike trail and 50% single track packed dirt. It ends back where we parked.
Hike 2: 4.5 miles cumulative
This one will be all single track narrow dirt and grass trails deep into the central north part of Busse. Hardly anyone goes here and there are actually a fair number of single track trails here that are now overgrown. I found only one option that was not overgrown. This hike is about 80% single track packed dirt and 20% asphalt (closed road in dense forest).
This hike ends back where we parked.
Hike 3: 6 miles cumulative
Follow another asphalt bike trail to a different parking area for .8 miles and pick up the single track near the parking area. This hike is about 40% asphalt bike trail and 60% single track dirt.
