What we’re about
Do you enjoy spending time in nature? This group is for folks of any age looking to connect with like-minded people in the Chicagoland area, sharing a common interest in outdoor activities and staying active.
If you're interested in hiking and an occasional weekend camping trip but don't know where to start, then this is the place for you.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hike Northern Kane County 5.5 miles at Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest, picnic lunch39 Tower Hill Rd, 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 https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/298064838/ and my guest rsvp includes 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.This is replacing the formal picnic that I had at Rush Creek or Marengo Ridge every year. 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.
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/k2cQydQTNH4kNYQTAThe 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. - Hike Starved Rock State Park, River & Bluff Trails 8-10 miles, 3 & 5 mile optionParkman's Plain, Oglesby, IL
Fourth year I'm leading this hike, pack a lunch or snack you may work up an appetite! We will take a lunch break at Eagle Cliff Overlook.
IMPORTANT:
We are not meeting at the main Starved Rock Lodge parking area.
We are meeting at Parkman Plain parking off of route 71. Please use map pin or read directions at the end.Here is the Google Maps Pin if you don't have the meetup app installed:
https://goo.gl/maps/UKFkwyDhaWVMpTL59Hike Overview:
Depending on the distance you want to do the hike can end much sooner than 3:00PM. I used this time as an end time for those who want the maximum hike distance.- 3 mile option: Turn around after visiting Lasalle Canyon and take river trail back. Allow 2 hours
- 5 mile option: Go down the stairs and head back toward river trail after visiting Wildcat canyon. Allow 3.5 hours.
- 7.7 to 8 miles: Its 7.7 miles if you wait at the bottom of Starved Rock. Its about 8 miles if you climb more stairs and visit Starved Rock overlook. May see French Canyon if its open. Allow 5 hours.
- Add another few miles to go the other way to Hennepin, Ottawa, Kaskaskia and council Overhang. Allow more time.
Hiking poles can help with balance but not essential. I found them very helpful in certain areas.
You must be prepared to go up and down over 1200 stairs for the full hike. For a 3 mile option there's about 300 steps to go up and down.
There is a porta potty in Parkman's Plain where we park.Hike Details:
Your able to actually walk behind the Lasalle Waterfall if your willing to go on the narrow 18 inch wide sections that have a big 30 to 50 foot drop below. The trails are well marked and it will be easy to find your way back if you want to stop at 3 miles.For those who do not wish to do this part, we will have a designated waiting spot by the bridge where we will continue the hike.
If you do the full hike you may get very hungry or thirsty. At a minimum please bring water to hydrate because by June hydration will probably be needed.We'll take a combo of the River and Bluff trails including Campanula trail and visit Lonetree, Basswood, Wildcat, French Canyon, Lovers Leap, Eagle Cliff Overlook.
By the time we get to Eagle Cliff Overlook we can stop and take a lunch break. There's lots of seating here.
Most stairs wooden but a few have metal grates. Your dog may not like metal stairs with grates. Our Golden was hesitant at first but did it. Trails hard packed dirt or wooden planks, small portions gravel. Mostly flat trails with minor inclines, hiking poles can help. Tree roots easy to navigate. Very well maintained, well marked trails and super easy to find your way around.
In April Lasalle and Wildcat feature abundant waterfalls! Not sure how they will be flowing in June. Stunning hike on both bluffs and river walk, be prepared for a cardio workout with all those stairs. I plan on walking under 3mph. This hike will follow the Illinois River for quite a way.
This hike is cross posted with https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/298064744/ and my guest rsvp includes members of that group.
Location
Parkman's Plain Oglesby
I tested out the map pin and it worked great. As a manual estimate, this parking lot is between 5 and 10 miles west of route 23 directly off of route 71. It follows right along the Illinois river. Once you start climbing curvy roads and see big bluffs, its probably another 3-4 miles.Websites
https://sites.google.com/site/hikingnc/home/locations/il/state-parks/starved-rock
https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Activity/Pages/StarvedRock.aspx
https://sites.google.com/site/hikingnc/home/locations/il/state-parks/starved-rock
