About us
The southwest suburbs are full of wonderful forest preserves, parks and natural areas. I spend a lot of time walking/hiking in them, and I'm sure there are others of you who are retired, working part-time, between jobs or whatever who like to get some outdoor exercise during the week. Let's get together and do some walking!
We usually hike on Tuesday mornings for 1-2 hours, usually between 3 and 5 miles, at a moderate pace. Coffee or lunch afterwards is often an option. Hikes may also be scheduled on other days of the week, along with occasional longer outings to places further away. We may or may not hike year-round, depending on the severity of the weather.
Dogs are not permitted on this group's hikes, unless a special exception is requested and granted or a special "dog-friendly" hike is announced. Several of the places we frequently hike are nature preserves that don't allow dogs. Also, I think it might slow down the group or cause problems if several people bring dogs. Thanks for your cooperation.
Upcoming events
2
Waterfall Glen Hike, 5 miles Out & Back, or more or less
Waterfall Glen Forest Preseve Parking, Waterfall Glen Main Trail, Lemont, IL, USWaterfall Glen is a wooded, nice wide crushed limestone loop path of 9.5 miles total length. We'll only plan to hike about five miles total out and back: southwest to the Scenic Overlook then back to the parking lot, with optional short side walk to the waterfall. Anyone who wants can continue all the way around the loop, or return earlier. We'll probably stick to the limestone trail, but if someone else would like to lead the group on some of the smaller trails that would be fine as well.
We will meet at the Waterfall Parking Lot (NOT the Main parking lot), along Bluff Road off Route 83 in Lemont. Make sure you go to the right parking lot! The lot has been expanded so plenty of room to park.
This hike is weather-dependent, watch here for updates if it's questionable.
Per the DuPage Forest Preserve website: the 2,503-acre Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve is one of the most ecologically impressive parcels of open space in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, if not northern Illinois. It is also one of the District’s most popular forest preserves, known for its Rocky Glen waterfall, Sawmill Creek bluff overlook, and extensive trails. Waterfall Glen offers gently rolling to hilly terrain with 11 miles of trails popular with hikers, bicyclists, horseback riders and cross-country skiers.
Trail map and info:
Waterfall Glen15 attendees
Sag Valley Hike from Horsetail Lake - 4, 5, or 8+ miles
Horsetail Lake, 12101 104th Ave, Palos Park, IL, USWe'll start at Horsetail Lake and then head east on the Yellow trail. After that there are many options, my preference is to continue to the purple trail, then back west on the yellow and UP the stairs and back, probably around 5 miles. But there are many options which I'll offer (if there are others willing to help lead) including cutting back down the stairs or doing the whole yellow loop (8+).
A great scenic hike with a couple manageable hills, always a crowd pleaser. You'll need to be able to walk up the 124 stairs at Swallow Cliff or take another route around.
Hike is weather=dependent; if it's especially slippery or muddy I'll offer an alternative or postpone.
Maps at: Sag Valley Trail System Map
Southwest Zone Map - Forest Preserves of Cook CountyThe Horsetail Lake Parking lot is just north of 123rd, aka McCarthy Rd, on 104th Ave, aka Willow Springs Rd. It is on the east side of 104th.
17 attendees
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