What we’re about
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” - Unknown
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I -- I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” - Robert Frost
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Do you love Hiking and Adventures?
Welcome to the Chicago Hiking, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group. We strive for adventures, fun, and friendships. This group is for people who enjoy hiking, being outdoors and meeting new people. We feature hikes for all skill levels, canoeing, camping, biking, social gatherings and other outdoor activities. These events are a great way to get out, meet people, and smell some fresh air. If you have a suggestion, please feel free to contact the Organizer or post them on “ideas for meetup” on the calendar page. Most of the activities are pretty tame, but any participation in this group is at your own risk. If you want to meet fun and adventurous people, this group is for you. Come join us. It will be an adventure you won’t soon forget.
Adventures are closer than you think!
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Get Involved:
We need Assistant Organizers and Event Hosts! If you don't see your preferred activity listed or a hike on your side of town, please volunteer by contacting the Organizer! You might be surprised just how many people are looking to do the same activity that you are. Other ways to volunteer would be a Greeter (Greet new members as they join the group.) or Monthly News Letter Editor (Write articles for a Monthly News Letter to be published on the message board.). We welcome Event & Group Sponsors who need some publicity for a great price!
Why not become a Hike Leader?
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Monthly Photo Contest:
We are having a Monthly Photo Contest. You have 1 month to upload your favorite photo. At the end of the month, the Assist Organizers will pick the top 12. We will then have a poll for voting on these 12. The members will be able to rate each picture from 1 to 10 rating. The photo with the highest ratings at the end of this month will win. This photo will then be used as the open page picture for following month. The only thing you receive are bragging rights.
Upload January Photos Here: http://www.meetup.com/ChicagoHOS/photos/799681/
Please name the photo and leave a comment about the photo.
So why not amaze the rest of the members with you photography skills?
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100 Miles Club and 200 Miles Club:
Are you looking for a Goal to reach? We have two clubs for you. You join the 100 Miles Club when you reach 100 Miles hiking a year with this group only (Chicago Hiking, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group). You join the 200 Miles Club when you reach 200 Miles hiking a year with any Meetup Groups (Windy City Hikers, this group, etc.). Your Meetup Names will be posted in the About Section in this group.
Let’s start counting those miles!
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Dues and Fees:
There are no membership dues to be part of this group. For prepay events, we will sometimes add up to three dollars, normally 1 to 2, to the payment to help out with the Meetup.com monthly fees.
For other events, example hikes, we suggest a 1 or 2 dollar donation at the start of the event. This is totally voluntary. No records will be kept for who donates and who doesn’t.
If you want to make a voluntary donation. Go to the top of this page and click on "Pay Online". Enter the amount you would like to donate. Donate any amount you like. This will be paid with Paypal.
We would personally prefer if people would donate their time as an Assistant Organizer or Hike Leader versus making a donation of money. Any help is very much appreciated.
Thank you!
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Other Recommended Outdoors Meetup Groups: If events are full on this group, why not see what these groups are up to.
The NW Burbs Camping Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/NWBurbs-Camping/
Southwest Suburbs Sports, Outdoors, & Social Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/SWBurbsSOS/
Chicago Camping & Outdoors Adventure Group
http://www.meetup.com/ChicagoCampers/
Please support Outdoors Meetup Groups!
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See you on the trail!
Kevin
PS: Tell a Friend about us!
Come find us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=app_2373072738&gi...
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Morning Cycle 16 miles @ Sauk Trail WoodsSauk Trail Woods - Central, Chicago Heights, IL
Bike 16 miles on the Thorn Creek trail. Program for experienced cyclists. Bring your own bike and helmet.
This program is brought to you by the South Zone Team. If you have questions, please reach out to angela.flores@cookcountyil.gov or 224-763-4317
More information on our website: https://fpdcc.com/event/morning-cycle-2/
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The Forest Preserves of Cook County is committed to providing equal, integrated participation for individuals with disabilities. To obtain information about accommodations or request an accommodation please contact the hosting nature center or 708-771-1573 or experience.nature@cookcountyil.gov. Please give us 72 hours notice in advance of the program to process the request.
For additional information about accessibility visit our website: https://fpdcc.com/about/accessibility/ - Hike West DuPage Woods Red Oak Trail & DuPage River Trail, 4 milesWest DuPage Woods Route 59 Entrance, west chicago, IL
Optional post hike lunch
Stockholm's Restaurant & Brewery
stockholmsbrewpub.com
306 W State Street Geneva
No reservation, Separate checks okThis hike is at the entrance off of route 59. Its just north of route 38 in West Chicago.
It should be very pretty this time of year, come on out for some exercise and fun walking and talking with others!
We will start on Red Oak Trail which features very tall mature trees in a densely wooded area. The trail is flat and easy with some gentle inclines. No bushwhacking here, these are wide well-groomed crushed limestone with portions asphalt.
West DuPage woods has had recent trail additions which now enable hiking and biking all the way to Winfield. However, this hike will end at Wynwood street.
After about 1/2 mile connect to the DuPage River Trail. This borders residential Forest street and during Winter homes are visible thru the thin border of trees. About 1 mile into the walk the trail ends and now walk .3 miles thru a quiet residential neighborhood.
The DuPage River trail then continues much as before and its all flat. A decent size oval shaped lake comes into view and homes border its other side. It has a small overflow area which drains into another pond.
Once we reach Wynwood road, that is the 2 mile mark and we will head back.
This hike is cross posted with Trailblazers hiking group and my guest rsvp will include members of that group.
https://www.meetup.com/chicagoland-trailblazers-hiking-group/events/308979316Location
We are meeting at the entrance off of Route 59
It is .5 mile north of Roosevelt Road (Route 38)Map pin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5brRd8eN3gRm3j3Q7?g_st=imWebsite
https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/west-dupage-woods - Hike Kettle Moraine Ice Age Trail Stony Ridge & Eagle Segments 8.7+ milesCo Rd Z, Palmyra, WI 53156, Palmyra, WI
Marc in the trailblazers group will lead this hike.
Summary:
From point to point its 8.7 miles. A spur trail leads to Brady's Rocks is a .7 mile loop. This is optional and returns to the main trail. If you choose to do this section the hike length will be 9.4 miles.IAT resource guide rates this as a 2 on a scale of 5, with 5 being the most difficult. So the hike is rated as pretty easy and flat.
I only hiked 1 mile of the Eagle Segment and it was partial sun and shade. Reviews have said overall its 75% exposed full sun meadows. I now know that this hike is best done in May when meadows have more wild flowers and its cooler.
The shaded forested areas were very buggy and had biting deer flies making the short hike I did very unpleasant. My bug repellent was either expired or ineffective. Also, some areas where Eagle trail starts have muddy sections. Some areas are very slick and you wouldn't even know mud was there because it looks like a normal slightly wet trail. And yes, it took me down. For that reason I'll bring trekking poles even though the terrain is flat.
IAT Facebook group said its unlikely that trails are flooded as there are many boardwalks over wetlands.Shuttle Logistics
This hike is there and back. We therefore need to shuttle cars to get back.
How does shuttle work? I asked the experts (IAT Facebook group) for advice and here is what they said:
"You establish the meeting point for the group (which is usually the end point), then once everyone is there, you jump into the
number of cars necessary to get everyone to the starting point. Then, you hike. When you get to the end, someone with a car takes
the original drivers back to their cars"
The End point of the hike will be Emma Carlin and we'll meet at Emma Carlin parking lot at 10:00. My cell is 847 757-1230.Where we meet:
Emma Carlin parking lot.
Its located one half mile to the south of this home address:
1015 County Road Z Palmyra WI
Or enter this into your phone's map:
42.87197, -88.54341Googling "Emma Carlin Trailhead" also works.
Or you can use the map pin:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NGsjDLjNFSy1FVTUA?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copyOr you can click on the map in the event which will take you to Emma Carlin parking lot.
Where to shuttle to:
Closest street address is
W364 S7310 State Highway 67
Eagle WI
Its a half mile to the north of this address and a 10 minute drive.
.8 miles north of Wilton road
.18 miles south of county road X
Google maps pin
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qteo7fJqCnhPDAGF7?g_st=ipc
Lat / Long
42.91895° N, 88.47334° WWI State parks require a vehicle admission pass.
I will be leading multiple hikes in WI this year and a weekend camping trip at Governor Dodge State park in Sept. Its worth it to by a yearly pass.
If the pass does not arrive just print out a copy of the receipt and put it where they can see it.
Information about purchasing a pass:
https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/admission
