Just moved

“I just moved to Chicago from Louisiana. Did a little backpacking around my area. Does anyone know of any Backpacking groups/organizations around the area of Chicago? If so, how would I contact them.

I would prefer to hear only in the immediate vicinity, since I am car-less up here. Thanks in advance.”

“Ha maybe since you are new they will stop picking on me and focus on you. :)”

“Chex, Crazy Mike has a club but it's NW Indidana. That's all I know of. Welcome to TT!”

“you like it and it's not!”

“TTers are like big cats: they only pick on the prey that squirms.”

“There are no trees in Chicago.”

“eeeks!

You want immediate backpacking in Chicago? Is that possible?

Hey, the only thing that I can tell you is that Chicagoland has an extensive network of connected bike trails. During winter, these might be covered with snow and make something like an enjoyable walk. You could find places to stay along the way. Urban backpack? Bike tours?

Or maybe you could hike the Illinois & Michigan Canal route southwest of town.

Anyone hiked at Kankakee River SP?

And Chicagoland does have a nice collection of forest preserves for dayhiking.

Buy a sea kayak? Try lake Michigan? Maybe.

Or check the greyhound routes to see if they have stops along the ice age trail north into Wisconsin.

Or wait until the new Waukegon to St. Joseph, MI ferry starts across L. Michigan. Then get Crazy Mike to pick you up on his way to northern Michigan.

Or fly somewhere else.”

“You are welcome to join us check us out at.

http://nwihbc.tripod.com

8)”

“I don't think there's much if any camping to be had in Chicagoland (unless it's "stealth camping" in a forest preserve). I knew someone from there who also was "carless"... He liked to get out and camp and said there was nothing. Perhaps the nearest place to backpack is Southern Kettle Moraine in Wisconsin?

That said, there is an active Sierra Club group there. I'll see if I can find a link. They are coming to my neck of the woods to backpack in Crazy Mike's favorite -- Yellow River State Forest in NE Iowa -- in April. I may join them...”

“No please God no not!!!!


YELLOW RIVER STATE FOREST!!!!

ARGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!

8O”

“By the way, welcome to our humble home.

Here's that link:

Chicago and Illinois Sierra Club outings

I talked to them about the trip to my area. I found out the trip cost does NOT include any fees to get to the out-of-town location. And they do try to car-pool.

Sounds like a very active group! Plus, they might know some "secret" places closer to your new home.

Hey, RL, maybe we should meet up at one of these outings???”

“This week Mrs ChicagoMark, dawg ChicagoMark and I, moved out of the City. Somehow MundeleinMark just ain't the same. (If'n nothing else, too many syllabuls.

And to top that off, I'm writing via DIALUP! Friggin cable modem is missing in delivery! AWK!

A smooth inital move is getting troublesome.”

“dialed up? that stinks
no more treebeard underground railroad”

“Just temporary--but yeah it does stink.

I'll be back to the railroad, soon.”

“I'm on dial up until January.”

“you better, tickets exspire ya know LOL”

“Good luck in your new location.

Did you ever locate a job? I probably missed any announcement, while off in the woods.”