June 11: Country Lane Woods
July 23: Deer Grove West
August 20: Herrick Lake


June 11: Country Lane Woods
Palos Trail System, near Willow Springs, 35 minutes from Oak Park

Meet in the Country Lane Woods parking lot, entrance on 95th St., east of Flavin Rd./Willow Springs Road/104th Ave., west of 96th Ave. Park around the middle of the lot.

The Palos system is the massive jewel in the crown of the Cook County Forest Preserves - the largest contiguous stretch of forest preserve in the county, with nearly 16,000 acres of woods, rvines, lakes, ponds, wetlands and prairies. 

It has 51 miles of trails, but we'll stick with a beautiful wooded 3.5 mile loop on several trails, passing Cranberry Slough and Boomerang Slough. Option to turn off for a 2-mile loop, but the longer loop rewards you with beautiful views of Boomerang Slough.