What we’re about
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Unknown
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost
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Do you love Hiking and Adventures?
Welcome to the Chicago Hiking, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group. We strive for adventures, fun, and friendships. This group is for people who enjoy hiking, being outdoors and meeting new people. We feature hikes for all skill levels, canoeing, camping, biking, social gatherings and other outdoor activities. These events are a great way to get out, meet people, and smell some fresh air. If you have a suggestion, please feel free to contact the Organizer or post them on “ideas for meetup” on the calendar page. Most of the activities are pretty tame, but any participation in this group is at your own risk. If you want to meet fun and adventurous people, this group is for you. Come join us. It will be an adventure you won’t soon forget.
Adventures are closer than you think!
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Get Involved:
We need Assistant Organizers and Event Hosts! If you don't see your preferred activity listed or a hike on your side of town, please volunteer by contacting the Organizer! You might be surprised just how many people are looking to do the same activity that you are. Other ways to volunteer would be a Greeter (Greet new members as they join the group.) or Monthly News Letter Editor (Write articles for a Monthly News Letter to be published on the message board.). We welcome Event & Group Sponsors who need some publicity for a great price!
Why not become a Hike Leader?
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Monthly Photo Contest:
We are having a Monthly Photo Contest. You have 1 month to upload your favorite photo. At the end of the month, the Assist Organizers will pick the top 12. We will then have a poll for voting on these 12. The members will be able to rate each picture from 1 to 10 rating. The photo with the highest ratings at the end of this month will win. This photo will then be used as the open page picture for following month. The only thing you receive are bragging rights.
Upload January Photos Here: http://www.meetup.com/ChicagoHOS/photos/799681/
Please name the photo and leave a comment about the photo.
So why not amaze the rest of the members with you photography skills?
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100 Miles Club and 200 Miles Club:
Are you looking for a Goal to reach? We have two clubs for you. You join the 100 Miles Club when you reach 100 Miles hiking a year with this group only (Chicago Hiking, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group). You join the 200 Miles Club when you reach 200 Miles hiking a year with any Meetup Groups (Windy City Hikers, this group, etc.). Your Meetup Names will be posted in the About Section in this group.
Let’s start counting those miles!
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Dues and Fees:
There are no membership dues to be part of this group. For prepay events, we will sometimes add up to three dollars, normally 1 to 2, to the payment to help out with the Meetup.com monthly fees.
For other events, example hikes, we suggest a 1 or 2 dollar donation at the start of the event. This is totally voluntary. No records will be kept for who donates and who doesn’t.
If you want to make a voluntary donation. Go to the top of this page and click on "Pay Online". Enter the amount you would like to donate. Donate any amount you like. This will be paid with Paypal.
We would personally prefer if people would donate their time as an Assistant Organizer or Hike Leader versus making a donation of money. Any help is very much appreciated.
Thank you!
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Other Recommended Outdoors Meetup Groups: If events are full on this group, why not see what these groups are up to.
The NW Burbs Camping Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/NWBurbs-Camping/
Southwest Suburbs Sports, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/SWBurbsSOS/
Chicago Camping & Outdoors Adventure Group
http://www.meetup.com/ChicagoCampers/
Please support Outdoors Meetup Groups!
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See you on the trail!
Kevin
PS: Tell a Friend about us!
Come find us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=app_2373072738&gi...
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Be a Better Birder: Birding Ethics * Virtual Presentation*Needs location
This Meetup is presented by the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Don’t be THAT person when you are out birding. Learn about ABA birding ethics and how to ensure other people and most importantly birds are minimally impacted during your trip.
Register at: https://tinyurl.com/552ca33v
The Zoom link will be posted to the comments the day of the program.
This program is brought to you by the South Zone Team. If you have questions, please reach out to jessica.becker@cookcountyil.gov or 312-415-2970
The Forest Preserves of Cook County is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. To obtain information about accommodations or request an accommodation please contact the hosting nature center or 708-771-1573 or experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov. Please give us 72 hours notice in advance of the program to process the request.
- Wellness in the Woods: Yoga @ Eggers GroveEggers Woods Forest Preserve, Chicago, IL
This Meetup is presented by the Forest Preserves of Cook County. You will meet FPCC staff or volunteers onsite.
Join a 45-minute yoga class. Dress in active wear and bring a yoga mat.
Meet at Grove 3
This program is brought to you by the South Zone Team. If you have questions, please reach out to angela.flores@cookcountyil.gov or 224-763-4317
More information on our website:https://fpdcc.com/event/wellness-in-the-woods-yoga-5/
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The Forest Preserves of Cook County is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. To obtain information about accommodations or request an accommodation please contact the hosting nature center or 708-771-1573 or experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov. Please give us 72 hours notice in advance of the program to process the request.
For additional information about accessibility visit our website: https://fpdcc.com/about/accessibility - Hike Northern Kane County 5.5 miles at Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest, picnic lunchFreeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve, Gilberts , IL
This is one of the most beautiful preserves in Kane County. It features Kames (big hills) along the trail which are covered with a carpet of greenery. The trails are easy in the sense that there are not rocks and roots popping up all over. However some of these trails you'll feel because there are some nice rolling hills.
Unlimited parking at the side of Tower road.
This hike is more than half wooded with tall Pine trees and Oaks. The trails are hard packed dirt with sections course gravel. Another area where we first start has a prairie with wildflowers and trails are plowed grass.
I did not need hiking poles for this hike. Although there are hills they are not even moderate with regards to complexity. The trails are at least 5 feet wide and no bushwhacking on this hike.The geology and unique features here make this hike one that you shouldn't miss if you love nature and observing its beauty. There will be small ponds and wetlands, carpet of green to walk down amongst the tall pines and oaks.
Some portions form a loop and others are there and back. This is due to main parking areas closed off to public and only available for Scouts.
There are restroom facilities where we meet and other well maintained facilities during the hike.
If time permits I'll try to add some additional miles to this one. I'd like to have a 7 and 5.5 mile option but may not be possible if trails are overgrown.
This hike is cross posted with the Trailblazers Group https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/305027462
and my rsvp guests will include members of that group.Optional picnic lunch:
Bring your own food or beverage and lawn chair and sit under the pavilion for a bite to eat. Socialize with others outdoors and leave whenever.
Keeping it simple, bring your own grill and a dish to pass if you wish. If the weather looks bad we can still have a bite to eat under a pavilion but would not count on many people going.Websites
https://kaneforest.com/location/freeman-kame-meagherHeads Up:
Allow extra time because Navigation directions using gps/maps pin/or any other navigation is unreliable in this area. It has told me to go to the wrong place even when previously working fine. Navigation in this area seems pretty unreliable for some reason. You can also review it on a laptop the day before as a way to reduce bad navigation directions.Location:
Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve Shelter 1
39 Tower Hill Road Gilberts, IL (known by Google maps)39w721 Tower Hill Road Gilberts, IL (a little more precise)
Or follow this Google Maps Pin:
https://goo.gl/maps/k2cQydQTNH4kNYQTA
The maps
The closest intersection is Route 72 Higgins road and Railroad street.Driving Notes:
There are 3 entrances. Please be sure to use one of the above. If you type the name of the forest into the preserve you will end up at the wrong entrance. Please allow extra time and call me 847 757-1230.Closest Intersection:
Higgins (route 72) and Railroad street.More detailed driving notes if it starts looking weird (which it will)
When you get to Mill street you are close.
You must cross the railroad tracks to get to Tower Hill Road.
There should be a sign on intersection of Mill Street and Tower Hill Road.
There is an old yellow building near the intersection. Looks like a very old quaint town.
Tower Hill road is all gravel. This is correct, follow it .7 miles. You will feel like you are in the middle of nowhere but this is the right direction.
There will be above ground power lines on the right and residential
homes on the left. At about .7 miles down Tower Hill Road you'll see the entrance on your left. Follow the gravel road .1 miles to the shelter. You'll spot the shelter as you turn in and there is only one shelter.
