What we’re about
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 (4)
See all- Hike Arrowhead Lake to Rubio Woods and return - 5 miles or lessArrowhead Lake, Orland Park, IL$1.00
At the last minute, a no frills and a low-budget hike.
Arrowhead Lake to Rubio Woods and return is an even 5 miles. This is always a crowd-pleaser.
This is a wide paved trail so if you wish to do less mileage, you may turn around at any time and it is impossible to get lost.
So far the weather looks pretty good with temps in the very low 50s and cloudy with only a low chance of rain.
I hope this works with your schedule - I'm looking forward to seeing you there. Please ignore the map pin and drive to the very end of the parking lot across from beautiful Arrowhead Lake.
Please note the 2:30 PM starting time which is earlier than usual but necessary so that we get out of the preserve before nightfall.
Trail map at: FPCC-Tinley-Creek-Trail-Map-10-15.pdf (fpdcc.com)
Southwest Zone Map - Forest Preserves of Cook County (fpdcc.com) - Waterfall Glen Hike, 5 miles Out & Back, or more or lessWaterfall Glen Forest Preseve Parking, Lemont, IL$1.00
Ok let's try this again, hoping for better weather this time. Waterfall 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: to the Rocky Glen Waterfall and then southwest to the Scenic Overlook, then back to the parking lot. 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.
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:
https://www.dupageforest.org/hubfs/Places-to-Go/Documents/Forest-Preserves/Waterfall-Glen-map-2020.pdfMore maps and info: Waterfall Glen (dupageforest.org)
- Sag Valley Hike from Horsetail Lake - 4, 6 or 8+ milesHorsetail Lake, Palos Park, IL$1.00
We'll start at Horsetail Lake and then head east on the Yellow trail toward (but not down) the stairs. At that point there are many options which I'll offer if there are others willing to help lead. I'll probably go halfway around on the yellow and back up the stairs, about 6 miles or so. Other options include cutting back on the purple trail (shorter) or doing the whole yellow loop (8+). A great scenic hike with a couple manageable hills, always a crowd pleaser.
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.
- Annual Holiday Brunch and Messenger Marsh hikeMessenger Marsh Dog park, Homer Glen, IL
Join us once again for our annual holiday brunch! Weather permitting, we'll take an easy hike starting promptly at 10 a.m. around the two crushed limestone loop trails in Messenger Marsh east of Bell Rd., about 3 miles. This hike is weather-dependent, watch here for comments if it needs to be canceled due to snow, sleet etc.
Note: this is Messenger MARSH, NOT Messenger Woods! See info and links to directions and trail map at:
Messenger Marsh | Forest Preserve District of Will County (reconnectwithnature.org)If you'd like to extend the hike portion by an extra couple miles, you can come early and go out-and-back on the section of trail west of Bell Road. This would be on your own (unless someone wants to volunteer to lead it), just make sure you're back in the parking lot at 10:00 to join the rest of the group.
Then, let's celebrate the holidays and another year of woods walking! At 11:15 we'll meet for brunch up the street at Blueberry Hill Breakfast Cafe, 14355 S. Bell Rd, Homer Glen (on Bell just south of 143rd St.). Brunch will happen whether or not we hike so if you'd rather just eat, meet us at the restaurant at 11:15. www.blueberrybreakfastcafe.com
I need to let Blueberry Hill know a couple days ahead how many are coming, so when you rsvp for this meetup, please specify if you are just hiking and NOT attending brunch - otherwise I'll count you in. I won't "take attendance" at the hike, feel free to just meet at the restaurant if you prefer. Also, rsvp's will close on Sunday evening 12/15. No charge for this meetup but obviously brunch is on your own. Also no attendance limit, the more the merrier.
