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
3
- $1.00
Hike Country Lane Woods from Little Red Schoolhouse, 3.5 miles or more
Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center, 9800 Willow Springs Rd, Willow Springs, IL, USThis is a group favorite, starting and ending at a very nice indoor nature center (with restrooms!). Please note that we're starting from the Little Red Schoolhouse parking lot, NOT the Country Lane Woods parking lot. We'll take the yellow trail east and north up around the loop, with those who wish cutting off back to the Country Lane Woods parking lot and down the tan trail for around 3.5 miles. I may do that and then add on one or more of the short hikes around the Nature Center that we rarely do. Those who want a longer hike can continue up and around one or more larger loops to add on a couple more miles (we'll probably split into smaller groups). This is a very nice, wide, mostly flat crushed limestone trail.
Trail map at:
Palos Trail System Map - Forest Preserves of Cook County (fpdcc.com)Region map at:
Southwest Zone Map - Forest Preserves of Cook County (fpdcc.com)Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center - Forest Preserves of Cook County (fpdcc.com)
22 attendees - $1.00
Hike Hickory Creek Junction, paved path, ~5+ miles
Hickory Creek Junction, Prestancia Dr., 60451 41.509146, -87.905827, New Lenox, il, USI know Rich leads this one often on Thursday afternoons, but it's been a while since we did it on a Tuesday morning. We'll start at the Lincoln Hwy entrance to the Hickory Creek Preserve and hike to the Schmuhl Schoolhouse and back. A nice wide paved trail through woods and prairie. A bit over 5 miles total out and back, slightly hilly but not difficult. Since it's out-and-back, anyone who doesn't want to walk that far can turn around earlier or wait for the group on one of the benches along the way.
Please note that we meet at the Second and last parking lot after you turn off Lincoln Hwy, back by the pavilion.
If there is an interest, we can go for brunch afterwards, just east on Rte 30 at the Maple House Cafe, Maple House Cafe (wordpress.com). I'm not making a reservation, so if there are a lot of us we may need to split up into smaller groups.
Info and directions at: Hickory Creek Preserve | Forest Preserve District of Will County (reconnectwithnature.org). Make sure you follow the link to Hickory Creek Junction; there are three separate access points for this preserve. Access the interactive map or Google map link for directions and trail info.
24 attendees 
Annual Holiday Brunch and Messenger Marsh hike
Messenger Marsh Dog park, 16211 S Bell Rd, Homer Glen, IL, USJoin 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.
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
No attendance limit, the more the merrier.
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 for brunch. 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.
Info and links to directions and trail map at:
Messenger Marsh | Forest Preserve District of Will County (reconnectwithnature.org)25 attendees
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