Trailbound Trips’ Summer Hiking and Cycling

 

Summer and outdoors are made for each other.
Wildflowers & sunsets … forest shade & cool streams … bird songs & spotted fawns … fun women & great exercise …
longer daylight & extra energy.
As we ride, breezes cool us and mosquitoes can’t keep up!

Calendars at a glance
June    July

• June 7,8 & 11: Moraine Hills, near Island Lake. A leader favorite! We’ll enjoy the state park’s open prairies, wildflowers, marshes, and lush woods, and look for wobbly-legged fawns and sandhill cranes. We’ll also stop by the Fox River to watch herons and humans vie for fish at the McHenry Dam. Biking distance: About 10 miles of gentle hills and crushed gravel trails (with an options for fewer miles).
   
• June 14 & 15: Bike from Ft. Sheridan to Lake Forest/Lake Bluff. Pedal this great trail and you’ll know why it’s one of our favorites. We’ll head north from Fort Sheridan’s historic housing development, catching glimpses of Lake Michigan’s blue waters as we ride along wildflowers, wooded areas, and the North Shore’s beautiful homes. Distance: Up to 15 miles of paved trail.
   
• Saturday June 18: Hike Volo Bog. You’ll love this trail, rich in natural beauty, geologic history, and wildlife. We’ll walk along woods, wetlands, tall grass prairies, beaver lodges, endangered Tamarack trees, and carnivorous plants. Venture onto the boardwalk to the heart of the bog and learn about this fascinating wetland; Volo Bog is one of the few places where you can see all stages of bog succession. Hiking distance: About 3.25 miles.
   
• June 21, 22 & 25: Bike Poplar Creek, near Hoffman Estates This great biking spot is close, boasts great sunsets, has an abundance of deer, and gets your heart pumping. The paved trail takes us through meadows, woods, and wildflowers. Biking distance: About 9 miles of paved trail, with some hills.
   
• June 28 & 29: Bike Busse Woods, near Schaumburg. When was the last time you saw an elk herd? This great ride takes you close to these giant (fenced in) ungulates, through forest shade, along sparkling lakes, and past dozens of hopeful fishermen perched on bridges. After our ride, you can rent a canoe at the park for a spin around the lake. Biking distance: 8, 16, or 24 miles on this level paved trail, depending how many loops you opt to do.
   
• July 5, 6 & 9: the Des Plaines River Trail, near Libertyville. Bike under a canopy of trees that line the lazy Des Plaines River, and through some of Lake County’s prettiest forests and meadows. If time allows, we’ll pedal all the way to Independence Grove. Biking distance: Up to 20 miles on this fairly level, crushed-gravel trail.
   
• July 19 & 20: Bike Cuba Marsh/Citizen�s Park, near Barrington. Cuba Marsh grows lovelier every year, filled with wildlife, wildflowers, and an evergreen grove where we’ll hunt for owl pellets. The trail now boasts a mile-long spur connecting it to Citizen’s Park in Barrington, where we�ll check out a delightful tree house. Biking distance: About 6.5 miles on a fairly level, crushed gravel trail, with the option of biking further.
   
• Saturday, July 23: Hike Cuba Marsh/Citizen’s Park, near Barrington. Cuba Marsh is as lovely to hike as it is to bike, filled with wildlife and wildflowers. We’ll linger in the coolness of a large evergreen grove to listen to the wind and to hunt for owl pellets. Ww’ll then hike the new mile-long spur over wetlands that connects Cuba Marsh to Barrington’s Citizen’s Park.Hiking distance: About 3.4 miles.
   

For more information about these day trips, send us an e-mail at TrailboundTrips@gmail.com or call 847-381-9374.

Happy trails!

Testimonials:

“There is a perfect mix - we have physical exercise and we have friendship. We talk and we share ideas and feelings - Most importantly, I am learning about myself and am learning how to have fun. The child inside of me is coming out. ”

“It always is surprising to be reminded how close we are to wildlife and to see signs of wild animal behavior so close. ”

“I enjoy knowing that you can have fun outside any time, any type of weather. ”

“I find in the classes, exercise for my body; the discussions, stimulation for my mind; and the company of all the women, food for my soul. Every Tuesday evening, I enter sleep with a deep feeling of contentment. This class, I'm sure, is why. ”

“I appreciate the knowledge gained in identifying the various animal tracks. I await the opportunity to impress my children! ”

“Visiting new places keeps the class vital, original, and renews my sense of excitement about exploring my own state. ”

“The way you tie in aspects of nature and animal behavior to human behavior and emotions is truly brilliant. The topics are so valuable that we often have discussions related to the theme at home at dinnertime. ”

“This class motivates me to stay in shape so I can enjoy the activities, which is more rewarding than just going to the gym. ”

“It is so helpful to share our ideas, thoughts, goals, etc., with other supportive women. Also to think more about my own goals, needs, and desires has been wonderful. I'm continuing to gain more knowledge about myself. This class has also opened up discussion with my husband regarding our personal goals. ”