Our photo travel log
Quite a change of scenery since our ☞ last visit in the Fall of 2022. An unexpected early start to 2024 camping and hiking trips. Sunny and spring-like temperatures, surprisingly dry but very windy. Walked some 17 miles (plus more than 600 stairs) in two half-days, up and down familiar trails. Spoted a few bold eagles above the river, herons  on trees and migratory pelicans stopping for a night on the river. Tested some improvements to our Forester camper.
We visited ☞ Matthiessen State Park and ☞ Starved Rock State Park in the past, but never in late Fall. This year it was a last minute decision based on weather – very sunny and warm for late October. Many people had the same weekend idea – both parks were packed with visitors. We stayed for two nights at Great Falls CG in ☞ Illini State Park only short drive away (very good campground where spots are always available). We walked 6-7 miles each day, bits and pieces of different trails. First in Vermillion and Dell areas of Matthiessen SP. The following day in Starved Rock SP: Illinois, Kaskasia and Ottava Canyons, River and Bluff trails between LaSalle, Lonetree and Wildcat Canyons. Fall colors were beautifull, weather was great and we expected crowds, so it was all good.
Finally visited ☞ Pullman National Monument and residential neighborhood. Important piece of late 19th and early 20th century industrial history of Chicago. George Pullman set-up his company building railroad sleeping cars on the south-side in 1880 and also built small town (Pullman) for its workers.
On March 20 we walked 13 km (return) from McKinley Woods to Moose Island on I&MC trail along Des Plaines River. Not too many signs of spring yet. Beaver at work, squirrels, waterfowl, and what looked from distance like hawk and couple of eagles.
Returned on May 9 to walk 11.5 km (return) west from McKinley Woods past Dresden Island lock. Got a good look at muskrats, wild turkeys, turkey vultures, egrets, geese. We did not see any orioles, but bird-watcher drew our attention to their song coming from the forest.
Sag Valley Forest Preserve. Two loops in Teason’s Woods: 5.5 km in January, 9.5 km in April  (recommended ) and another 12 km loop in May. Walking for a while on unmarked trails cutting across woods and prairie.
Sag Valley and Palos Forest Preserves trail maps☞ Our 9.5 km Teason’s Woods trail on wikiloc
☞ Our 5.5 km Teason’s Woods trail on wikiloc
☞ Sag Valley Forest Preserve trail map
☞ Palos Forest Preserve trail maps
Palos Forest Preserve: Maple Lake East-Pulaski Woods East and South.
Palos Forest Preserve: Spears Woods.
Herrick Lake and Danada Forest Preserves: Danada-Herrick Lake, Green Heron and Bluebird trails.
Herrick Lake and Danada Forest Preserves trail maps
Palos Forest Preserve: west of Wolf Rd, Bullfrog Lake, Tomahawk Slough.
