Guides
Complete and detailed guide of the Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway from the Old School Preserve to Lake-Cook Road.
The Des Plaines River Trail and Greenway traverses Lake County, Illinois, North to South, over 31 miles as it winds it's way along the Des Plaines River connecting preserves, local parks, and communities. Unlike typicall arrow straight rails-to-trails projects, this improved trail offers quiet and fun riding as it meanders lazily to and fro following...
Trips
Surround yourself with nature at Starved Rock State Park. The waterfalls and canyons are unexpected wonders, nestled within 2,630 acres of lush forests. Whether you choose the river trail or the bluff trail, you will enjoy spectacular views along the Illinois River. From picnicking to fishing to boating, from horseback riding to camping to enjoying winter sports, there's so much to do that you'll come back again and again.The backdrop for your...
Windy City Hikers Meetup Group:http://hiking.meetup.com/169/calendar/9696845/
A nice moderate hike in the DuPage County forest preserve system. This trail wraps around Argonne National Laboratory. The loop is 9.5 miles long, but add a little distance if you decide to explore the "spurs."
State Park Overview:Chiseled out of the states far northern region is Rock Cut State Park in Winnebego County. Nearby are other "rocky" landmarks - the mighty Rock River and the place where wagons once forded it, Rockford. Its an area of rolling plains, interesting history and recreational variety.Two lakes set off the parks 3,092 acres. Pierce Lake, with 162 acres, is a retreat for people wanting to fish, ice fish or ice...
This was the last outing for my Webelos Den before bridging into Boy Scouts 5 days later. We had 13 Webelos, 1 Boy Scout (Sam) and 7 dads. We started the day by taking the Golden Eagle Ferry across the flooding Mississippi river, and then the free Brussel's ferry across the Illinois river. Almost had to call the Ferry's off due to the river bottom road being closed, but a St. Charles...
On a nice Saturday afternoon in
late May, I took a hike around the South South Cultural Center's nature
area to take photos of the species that I recognized. During my group's
last trip to the nature area about a month and a half earlier few
species were recognizable by leaves or flowers. On this later trip,
many species had flowers and leaves that were fully emerged. Some of
the late season species were even beginning to...
I met up with UnJin and some other students from class on a Saturday afternoon (April 11) to take these photos and to identify the species of plants that we saw. While most of the plants were dead, we were able to identify most of the species that we saw. Although the only animals that we observed on this trip were some squirrels and ravens, I visit the path often and have...
Decided to go for a hike for father's day before getting steaks at outback steakhouse. The hike went great and Tim enjoyed the forest once he realized that this park didn't have any slides. Outback was too busy but I was still able to get a steak at Chili's so all in all it was a great father's Day.
I really enjoyed this trail...lot's of different "levels" to this hike...closed canopy forest to a babbling brook section, to a high brush area and then an open tall grass section. This trail takes you up to Camp Wokanda, but I turned around about 20 minutes before that point.
A beautiful walk thru the Panther Den Wildnerness in the Shawnee National Forest
Just a short walk around the property, enjoying the scenic beauty and peacefullness it provides.
Calumet Quarter students from the University of Chicago went to a meeting at the Hegewisch Libary on the "Future of the Indiana Dunes", and then on a guided tour of the Hegewisch Marsh.
My main purpose on this trip was to observe plant growth at the prairie, but I also managed to see a new part of Chicago, which is an experience I usually enjoy. Interestingly, the vast majority of the birds I saw at the park were native (a few pigeons, but no sparrows or starlings), and included a flicker, a kingfisher, several barn swallows, and a pair of killdeer.
Many of the spring-blooming wildflowers are out...and scattered along the Cap Sauers trail (yellow markers).
