2024 Local Hikes

2024

Friday, November 29

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Leroy Oaks FP	Wood Lp + Lp	Easy	3 miles	200 ft	Lp+Lp	Light	3	2 miles
Comments
Good Hike, Limestone, Some woods, some open

Lunch
Picnic Lunch,tasty!

Thursday, November 14

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
James O'Breene Park	Loop + 38 Spur	Easy	3 miles	150 ft	Lp*Ob	Light	3	3 miles
Comments
Good Hike, Limestone, Some woods, some open

Lunch
Picnic Lunch,tasty!

Thursday, October 10

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Mallard Lake FP	Mallard Lp and Dupage Prtl	Easy	5.1 miles	250 ft	Lp*Ob	Light	3	12 miles
Comments
Decent Hike. Loop around the lake was nice but pretty many people, Hike on Dupage trail was boring next to land fill.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch,tasty!

Wednesday, October 2

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Shoe Factory Road Woods	Yellow	Easy	6.1 miles	200 ft	Lp	Light	3.5	15 miles
Comments
Nice Hike, great early fall weather, trail was mostly gravel(hiking boots best). Mix of sun and shade.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch,tasty!

Friday, September 20

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Sag Valley Trail System	Brown and Red	Easy	5.4 miles	250 ft	Lp,Ob	Light	3.5	46 miles
Comments
Nice Hike, great early fall weather, trail was grass and mostly shaded. Far from home.

Lunch
Willow Springs Deli: Third time here, ate outside, tasty!

Friday, September 20

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Crab Tree Nature Center	Figure 8	Easy	4.0 miles	200 ft	Lps	Light	4	20 miles
Comments
A very nice hike, excellent scenery. Nature Center with well maintained trails. Definitely come back.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Wednesday, September 4

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
James O'Breen Nature Area	Various	Easy	3.2 miles	200 ft	OB,Lp	Light	4	5 miles
Comments
Good hike but buggy. Close to home. Could be a go to spot outside of bug and muddy season.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Wednesday, August 28

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Great Western Brown to Hansen	Great Western Brown to Hansen	Easy	5.1 miles	200 ft	OB	Light	4	5 miles
Comments
This is a good go to place for a nice walk. Totally shaded but not very buggy and close to home. Travels East and West so usually although wooded you get the breeze.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Wednesday, August 21

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Les Arens FP	A couple short trails then hike the fox river trail either north or south. All Trails just has the fox river north trail up to fabyan and back 16.5 miles	Easy	7.2 miles	200 ft	OB	Mod	3	12 miles
Comments
All asphalt. Small hike in the FP (.4 + .3) then the rest of south on the Fox River Bike Trail. Nice trail but only a 3 rating because of lots of bikes even on a Wed.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Wednesday, August 14

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Shabbona Lake State Park	Snowmobile prtl, Arrowhead, Tomahawk	Easy	7 miles	400 ft	LP	Light	4	38 miles
Comments
Great Hike around the lake. Trails well maintained but rest of park not. Mostly grass trail, woods and prairie. Notes- All trails route is a little off but worked out ok. I have a park map.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Wednesday, August 7

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Muirhead Forest Preserve	Muirhead Springs Loop	Easy	3.3 miles	300 ft	LP	Light	4	10 miles
Comments
Limestone, pairie, Nice easy hike!

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Friday, August 2

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Fitchie Creek FP	Fische Creek Lp + spur	Easy	3.3 miles	150 ft	LP+	Light	4	8 miles
Comments
Paved/Limestone, part prairie, part wooded. Nice!

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Wednesday, July 25

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Jon Durr FP, Kane, South Elgin	River Bend and Fox River Partials	Easy	6.7 miles	300 ft	Out&Back	Light	4	8 miles
Comments
Great trail along the Fox River close to home. Note- all trails parking lot under construction. Park off hwy 31 just past Mclean on the right side.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. No picnic tables so went to Leroy Oaks for lunch. Tasty!

Wednesday, July 17

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Bemis Forest Preserve Cook County	Salt Creek Trail	Easy	6.2 miles	200 ft	Out&Back	Med	4	25 miles
Comments
Great Trail all wooded, lots of shade, Moderate bike traffic

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Picnic tables at parking lot. Tasty!

Wednesday, July 10

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
McDowell Grove Forest Preserve	McDowell Grove Loop (3.5)+ Extension (1.7)	Easy	5.2 miles	150 ft	Loop	Light	3.5	17 miles
Comments
Good Hike. Especially 2nd half more in the woods. Part limestone part grassy.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Picnic tables at parking lot. Tasty!

Wednesday, July 3

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Saint James FP	St James Farm Trail Loop	Easy	4.5 miles	141 ft	Loop	Light	4	12 miles
Comments
Great, close place for hiking. All trails route start cuts through the field but otherwise OK, we extended the hike on the ?? Trail.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Lots of shady spots and picnic tables. Tasty!

Thursday, June 27

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Lake Herrick FP	Lake Herrick	Easy	6.4 miles	250 ft	Loop	Light	4	15 miles
Comments
2nd time here. Great, close to home place to hike, can extend or reduce distance, picnic tables. Wide limestone trail, mix of sun and shade.

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Wednesday, June 19

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Warrenville Grove Forest Preserve	West Branch Dupage River and Ill Prairie	Easy	5.4 miles	60 ft	Route	Light	3	15 miles
Comments
It was HOT today, the hike was a mix of sun and shade. Limestone and paved

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty! Unfortunately no picnic tables so we just ate in the car.

Friday, June 07

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Oak Ridge Forest Preserve	Upper Loop	Easy	6.4 miles	150 ft	Loop	Light	4	20 miles
Comments
Nice hike on a nice day. Worth repeating.

Breakfast/Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Tasty!

Friday, May 31

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Dick Young Forest Preserve	Nelson Lake Loop	Easy	4.3 miles	82 ft	Loop	Light	4	10 miles
Comments
Close to home in Batavia. A beautiful 80 deg sunny day with a light breeze. Trail wanders through woods, prairie and lake views (a little of everything). Worth repeating and close to home.

Lunch
Andre'a Restaurant. Lunch was tasty as we sat on the balcony overlooking the fox river and enjoying the weather. Worth repeating.

Wednesday, May 8

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
West Branch & Hawk Hollow Forest Preserves	West Branch & Hawk Hollow	Easy	5.8 miles	200 ft	Out & Back	Light	4	8 miles
Comments
Worth repeating and close to home.

Lunch
Eggcentric. Lunch was tasty as we sat on the balcony overlooking the fox river enjoying the weather. Worth repeating.

Monday, April 29

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Deer Grove Forest Preserve	Yellow Loop Trail	Easy	5.7 miles	200 ft	Loop	Light	4	? miles
Comments
In Palatine close to Jake's house. Most of trail was gravel but about 1 mile was a bit muddy after lots of rain. Good hike to do again with Jake

Lunch
Jelly Cafe. Lunch was tasty.

Wednesday, April 24

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Herrick Lake Forest Preserve	Herrick Lake	Easy	6 miles	250 ft		Light	4	20 miles
Comments

Lunch
Verdict. Tasty, do again if same fp

Friday, April 19

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Grant Woods forest preserve	Grant Woods Trail	Easy	5 miles	250 ft		Light	4	45 miles
Comments
Chain of Lakes, long drive, good hike

Lunch
Picnic Lunch. Homemade bread and sammies - tasty

Friday, April 4

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Leroy Oaks Forest Preserve	Leroy Oaks	Easy	5 miles	300 ft	Loop	Light	3	3 miles
Comments
Lots of rain, just decided do the paved trails at Leroy Oaks

Lunch
Spotted Fox. Groupon so good value, tasty burgers

Thursday, March 28

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Fermi Lab	Fermi Lab	Easy	5.3 miles	59 ft	Out & Back	Light	2	miles
Comments
Not a good hike but, with all the rain of late we knew this was a paved hike.

Lunch
Daddio's Diner. Fun Diner, tasty

Wednesday, March 20

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Blackwell Forest Preserve	Mount Hoy and Prairie View	Easy	6.9 miles	ft	300	Light	3	17 miles
Comments
Good Hikes

Lunch
Hummingbird Cafe. Fun diner. Tasty

Wednesday, March 06

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Pratt Forest Preserve	Two loops	Easy	4.6 miles	100 ft	Loop	Light	3	10 miles
Comments
Good Hikes, all trail only has 2, there are more in the preserve, good to go back to, good for a picnic

Lunch
Southern Cafe. Tasty, 3.5, pricey

Tuesday, Feb 27

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Morton Arboretum	Morton arboretum and big rock	Easy	5.4 miles	308 ft	Loops	Light	2	22 miles
Comments
charged $34 for entry to arboretum. Hard to navigate. Don't revisit

Lunch
None

Friday, Feb 23

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Goose Prarie Natural Area	Nature Trail & Prarie View	Easy	5 miles	400 ft		Light	3	60 miles
Comments
Good spot, good for picnic... but far.

Lunch
Weits Cafe. Tasty

Wednesday, Feb 14

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Fox River - Aurora	North Aurora to Batavia	Easy	6.7 miles	50 ft	Out & Back	Light	4	10 miles
Comments
Nice walk along the river and close to home

Lunch
Hasner's. Great spot - go again.

Friday, Feb 2

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Fox River	Geneva to Batavia (short)	Easy	3.8 miles	50 ft	Out & Back	Light	3	4 miles
Comments
Nice walk along the river.

Breakfast
Egg Harbor. Tasty but pricey.

Saturday, Jan 6

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Timber Ridge Forest Preserve	Great Western Triangle	Easy	5.4 miles	104 ft	Loop	Light	3	14 miles
Comments
OK Hike

Lunch
Scoobies. Not Good. Stars 1, not again.

2023

Friday, Dec 29

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Ned Brown Forest Preserve	Red Loop	Easy	8 miles	105 ft	Loop	Light	4	27 miles
Comments
Should do again. Good Hike. Good for biking too. Lot's of places to picnic.

Lunch
Portillos. Tasty 3.5. Caught a nasty cold from the gobs of kids on winter break.

Tuesday, Dec 21

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Deer Run Forest Preserve	Orange, Red, Blue	Easy	6.8 miles	52 ft	Loops	Light	4	38 miles
Comments
Nice hike but very remote and rather far.

Lunch
Cherry Valley Cafe. Tasty

Tuesday, Dec 14

Hike
Location	Trail	Diff	Miles	Elevation	Route	Traffic	Rating	Dist To Home
Sag Valley Forest Preserve	Sag Valley Yellow	Easy	8.6 miles	436 ft		Light	4	40 miles
Comments
Nice hike pretty far but worth doing again but pretty far.

Lunch
Spring Forest Deli. Tasty 4 stars