Hike Greene Valley Forest in DuPage, 6 miles with option for 3, optional lunch

I haven't led a hike here for over two years, time to go back! I first discovered it way back in Summer, 2020 and led hikes here in 2020, 2021, 2022.

This hike is cross posted with https://4142298.xyz/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/304663894 and my guest RSVP includes members of that group.

Lunch TBD

Hike 1: Three miles
Thunderbird spur and Caruso trail are easy with moderate sections. There are tree roots on narrow packed dirt, and some dried up creeks to climb up and down 6 to 8 feet. I did it without hiking poles and took it slow. Other than that the trails are mostly flat. The 3 mile option is 75% shaded with portions on grass. The forest is very pretty with a few small pine sections.

Hike 2: Three more miles for six cumulative
White Oak trail is full sun exposure on flat wide crushed wide limestone. There were no lakes or streams on this section. Its all very flat and easy and we can get our steps in at a good pace.

Location
There are multiple parking lots. We are parking at Green Valley youth campground parking lot near Thunderbird Road. It is accessible from 79th street. Go westbound down 79th street to get here.

Once you enter the forest preserve follow the road all the way to the end and you'll see the parking lot. Its the parking lot furthest west on 79th street

Directions
Take 79th street and go .4 miles west of Greene Road.
79th street is .4 miles to the south of 75th street.
Greene road is about .4 miles to the west of old route 53.
Greene road is 2 miles west of route 355.

If you do not have the meetup app on your phone please copy the google maps pin to your phone:

https://goo.gl/maps/tdny6EBUKsk6cz4Z8

Website
https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/greene-valley