Just One More Mile! Hiking, Social, & Outdoor Adventures

Meeting Spot
5601 N Kostner Ave, Chicago IL, 60646
41°58'58.2"N 87°44'17.9"W
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ohM1XK8fZsyUP2Sw5

Optional Lunch Afterwards
TBD

Parking
Park on the side streets. It's free and it's non-permit parking in the neighborhood.

Bathrooms
There is no bathroom at the trail head. So use one before you arrive. First bathroom won't be until 0.5 miles into the hike in Sauganash Park:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/wzqGK3gePnjzvPu1A
Next bathroom is half through the hike at Emily Oaks Nature Center:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/opfXGzLFLZGJC8qb8

Hike Description
This is an out and back hike. I will announce where the turn around is for the 3 mile and 5 mile options. We will hike at a 2.5-3 mile per hour pace. We will depart at 10:15 with whoever has arrived. The entirety of the path is paved asphalt and completely flat. The only incline is bridges going over main streets. This is a mix of urban, suburban, and forest. I would classify this is as a beginner hike, but an intermediate hike if you choose to do the full length.

If you need to bail
If for whatever reason, someone needs bail during the middle of the hike, Uber & Lyft and the CTA are available in the area. These can be used to get back to where we parked.

Meeting Spot
Graue Mill & Museum Lot
41°49'11.3"N 87°55'37.0"W
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EjvYqVsUREqqs4g28

Optional Lunch Afterwards
TBD

Parking
Parking lot next to Benjamin Fuller House.

Hike Description
Several loops inside Fullersburg Woods, alongside the Night Heron, Riverside, & Oriole Trails. I will announce where to turn for the 2.25 mile option is. We will hike at a 2.5-3 mile per hour pace. We will depart at 10:15 with whoever has arrived. The route will consists of mainly crushed limestone with a few dirt trails and paved areas. There will be a few gentle inclines because of the moraines but no more than a 150ft elevation change. There should be plenty of wildlife out, look for herons snatching fish out of the water. I would classify this as a beginner hike.

Afterwards we will head inside the Mill & Museum.

Meeting Spot
Swallow Cliff Woods - North
41°40'58.2"N 87°51'42.0"W
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qSMKj41fnUmhVft78

Optional Lunch Afterwards
TBD

Parking
Should be plenty of parking in the main lot.

Hike Description
4 mile option: Walk 2 miles out from the parking lot. There's a right turn along the Mill Creek trail which is a shortcut back to the yellow trail loop. Left at yellow trail and then follow the trail all the way back to the parking lot.
8 mile option: Follow the entirety of the yellow trail.
We will hike at a 2.5-3 mile per hour pace. We will depart at 10:15 with whoever has arrived. The route will consists of mainly natural dirt trails. This hike will be very hilly with 350ft of inclines and 350ft of declines total. I would classify this is as an intermediate hike.

Optional Section: After we get back to the parking lot, we will take the giant staircase down to the cliff below. Dogs are not allowed on the stairs, which is why we are doing this at the very end of the hike.

RSVP Limit
RSVPs are limited to 25 per this event per Cook County Forest Preserve's policy of needing a permit for groups larger than 25.

Meeting Spot
Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve Parking Lot
42°09'38.5"N 87°59'17.2"W
https://maps.app.goo.gl/C6JyCSXHzR5YTYUp6

Optional Lunch Afterwards
Polka Dot Restaurant
83 S Rand Rd, Lake Zurich, IL 60047

Parking
Should be plenty of parking in the main lot.

Hike Description
There will be a 2.5 mile, 3.5 mile, and 5 mile option. I will announce where the turns are for each option. The full length will follow the East & West Trail loops. We will hike at a 2.5-3 mile per hour pace. We will depart at 10:15 with whoever has arrived. The route will consists of mainly crushed gravel trails. This hike is mostly flat with very long gradual inclines and declines. This hike is mostly along prairie terrain, so there is very little shade. However, there is plenty of water because of the reservoir. I would classify this is as a beginner hike.