Starry Starry Snowshoe Night!

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6 pm -
Mileage - dependant on group decision

This will be a night time snowshoe/hike/XCountry ski. Maybe it's not midnight but we can use our headlamps!

I've chosen a location so that we may gather at my house afterwards. I'll have something warm to eat in the crockpot for afterwards and something cold in the fridge.

If you are concerned about a late drive home or just want to hang out there are 3 extra beds and plenty of room for sleeping bags. I make a killer breakfast.

I'll try to get a map posted. The park is located south of McHenry, IL. Headquarters address: 914 S. River Road, McHenry, IL 60050.
Crossroads are River Road and Lily Lake Road.

Hope to see you Chicago folk there
check the trips page”

“Man, I want to go! =( No fair.”

“Come on over :-)”

“I am in. I should be back from my trip to Michigan by then. I'll hopefully do some snowshoeing up there as well.”

“Website for Moraine Hills State Park:
http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R2/MORHILLS.HTM

I called the park, and they said they do not allow hiking or skiing after the park closes at 5:00 p.m., "no exceptions".

So it is either day skiing/hiking/snowshoes with party into the night at DHutch1's house, or find a nearby location that is open at night.”

“Thanks prosecutor. My book indicated otherwise.

I'll look for a new location. Let's say for now, same evening different location.”

“Bummer. We could hike around the local WalMart parking lot for a few hours.”

“Anything but THAT!

Just wait until I get home. I'll find a location. I'm thinking the Prairie Trail from McHenry to Wisconsin. Now, we wouldn't have to do the whole thing necessarily.

But give me a chance over the weekend to do some more research. I want to use my headlamp!”

“But no matter what the party's still on :-)”

“Oooh!!!! Dhutch, this sounds like fun! AND, it might actually be a possibility for me and Thinkbubelz! ;-) My brother lives in Chicago, so he probably would love a visit from us... :-)

I'll check my schedule and see if we can come down. :-)”

“YAY! That would be great pink!”

“(chuckle) you really want to use that headlamp!”

“Are Wisconsinites welcome? You just metioned Chitown folk”

“Absolutely WI folks are invited spalpeen. I practically live there myself!”

“Hey, you guys have been hiking around my stomping grounds and no one called me!

I have been way out of touch with all things TT for a while now, but I'm putting myself down as a solid maybe. This would be an excuse to finally get snowshoes.”

“Hey Dhutch,
Do you know what those raincovers for your running shoes are called? I can't remember who posted about them... I'm looking to try to get some... :-)”

“Galoshes

Hey, did we pick a new location for this hike?”

“It looks like your Chicago area parks people don't allow night access. I can't find a single Forest Preserve or State Park that doesn't close down at sunset. At least not around here.

So....The Prairie Trail. We can start in McHenry and hike towards Wisconsin or start in Crystal Lake and hike towards McHenry.

If anyone wants a shorter hike or we don't want to backtrack. We can shuttle. I'll get a link on to the trips page later this morning. Monday's are killers here in retail.”

“Very funny, Jimmy san...”

“Dhutch!
What time are we leaving? Do you have directions to the trailhead or the address? Is this still gonna be a nighttime thing? Do you know how far it is to Mars??
Merry Christmas Everybody!!!
See ya later.
Randall
last edited: 12/20/05 10:28:38 AM”

“Prairie Trail... I don't know that one. I run/cycle on the IL Prairie Path (a rail to trails project) but I am not sure this is the same thing. The Prairie Path is generally open at night but in areas where it passes through forest preserves and some towns it is for sure closed.”

“So jealous!!”

“Sass, everyone's invited :-)

Jimmy San - I spoke to the DNR lady and it's the best option. She wouldn't say no outright. I'm talking about the section from Ringwood (north of McHenry) to Wisconsin. It does go through two very small towns. 7 miles one way but we can go as far as we want and turn around. Or we can stage a couple of cars in Richmond.

I could call the Ringwood police station and let them know ahead of time so that they know we are a safe group and not a bunch of hooligans.”

“DHutch1, do not mention this is a TT group if you are serious in getting their cooperation.

Seriously, our local forest preserve district does issue permits for night time activities on an individual basis. Do not let a sign or a curt employee dissuade you from trying to get official permission to have nightime activites.”

“All your effort is quite appreciated. I look forward to the evening hiking!”

“I have never heard of the trail, but did a little looking and found this.

Prairie Trail North (Ringwood to Wisconsin state line)

This trail is a 7-mile converted railroad bed—straight and flat—shared with hikers and bicyclists during the summer and closed during the winter for snowmobile season. A spur trail connects to the horseback trails within Glacial Park. The trail can be easily accessed from the Harts Road parking area (off Route 31 north of McHenry). Restroom facilities available at the Harts Road parking area.

http://www.mccdistrict.org/horse_trails.htm


Can we assume that closed in winter for snow mobile access means only closed to horses? Or does it not matter since we are doing this after sundown?”

“If it is closed we may want to try the John Muir trails just over the WI border. It's a 2 hour drive. I don't know about night time activities but I'll be there on the 24th and would not mind scoping out a later return trip with the group. Just an idea. it's not my trip

http://thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/41804,1.php”

“I called the district conservation office again and Ruth, the lady there forwarded me to John who would be the person to grant any special permissions. Please don't anyone else call. I think our chances are better if we don't bombard any officials. (it's happened before to trips if I understand correctly)

I'll voice my frustration now: How the heck do you "close" a cross country rail trail. This is out in the middle of nowhere! It's a conspiracy I tell you to make this way more complicated than it should be. Heck I was on the rail trails at all hours back in MI.

Jimmy san, scope out that trail, thank you. I would rather we didn't have to drive even further but keep in mind that Woodstock is only about 15 miles from the border it may not be very far. I'll check my WI hiking books this evening.

If anyone else has suggestions, bring em! This hike will take place by hook or by crook.”

“If anyone can do it, Diane can.”

“Diane,
Welcome to Illinois, where “DNR” stands for “Damm Near Russian” Just a thought here, maybe you might think about changing from evening to day if possible. Might make things easier to plan.
See ya later!!
Randall”

“If I HAVE to I'll move it to daytime (probably around 2 unless voted otherwise). But I'm willing to give Illinois a chance to grant us special permission. I'll keep everyone posted with an e-mail next week.

Thank you for your patience. Just remember there will be a hot meal in the crockpot when we're done hiking.”

“Screw that. I say fight the MAN. Let's get some night activities established as acceptable. This is good natured stuff (don't mention TT; they'd get the wrong idea).”

“Wisconsin has a much better state of mind,bloody flatlanders,hey can I still come”

“Spalpeen, there isn't a Wisconsinite who hasn't used or heard the term FIB before. Sure you can come. Afterall, the number one export from Illinois to Wisconsin is welfare reciepients.”

“What's FIB?”

“I can't buy raw milk in Wisconsin, the dairy state. The grass may not always be greener...”

“dhutch--
Do you know if there are any trails around the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor Area in Michigan?

Maybe the group could head eastward? I think it's only about 1-1/2 hours away? I'm not familar with the trails around there, but maybe someone else could recommend something?”

“Pink, thanks for the suggestion but that's about a 2 hour drive from my house in normal Chicago traffic (and traffic is never normal). I'd rather not go that direction if we intend to warm up at my house afterwards.”

“if we intend to warm up at my house afterwards

You had better be verrrry careful how you post that. I think my wife is a troll on this board, prolly sarge.
last edited: 12/22/05 10:51:22 AM”

“Haaaaaaa! She's invited! and I meant with a warm stew or chili, food and drink :-)

is that better?”

“:)”

“I asked my wife if she wanted to join us. She said she wasn't into the whole girl thing. Oh well, I had to ask.”

“Teh John Muir trails I was on in Wisconsin were most excellent. I snowshoed 10 miles on them this last Saturday. So if the proposed trail for this hike doesn't work out perhaps the John Muir trails (in WISCONSIN will work). I didn't see anyhthing about night time use, so I'll have to look into this if we get serious about chaning locations.”

“man I am right there”

“Great Jimmy san this is about 40 miles from my house! I've wanted to get up to Kettle Moraine. I called and the park is open until 11pm no restriction on hiking during those hours. $10 per vehicle with out of state plates. $35 for a 2006 pass. Self registration after hours is on the side of an office building. Since it's fairly close to me for mountain biking I volunteer to take a car load (3 people) to get a 2006 pass on my Explorer.

It looks like a better trail than our option from McHenry County. They will be calling me today to talk "permit" for night hiking on the Prairie Trail. They want to keep us on pavement but if it has snowed??

I vote for Kettle Moraine despite the drive. I found a nice website with maps but don't know how to post a link:

http://my.execpc.com/jwamser/KettleSouth.html

Everybody vote. There will still be a pot of chili at my house for after. Unless spalpeen wants to host? :-)”

“What is the chance that snowshoes will be necessary for this hike?”

“Not being a weather woman, I'd say 50/50. The weather channel has 60% precipitation forecasted for the week prior. High temps in the mid to high 20's. The forecast doesn't go all the way until the 7th.

It'll still be fun to do a night hike even if there is no snow, doncha think?”

“OK - I haven't heard a vote yet so I've updated the trip to change locations to Kettle Moraine at 5pm. The link to a very informative website has also been added to the trip page. You are still free to vote or comment. Let's say all will be final by next Wednesday for sure though. Arrangements need to be solid at that point so that details/times/carpools can be ironed out.

The McHenry County people are calling at 10 this morning to set up a free permit to hike the Prairie Trail between Ringwood and McHenry. This is a two track trail. I still plan to obtain the permit.”

“just signed up for the trip

Spalpeen - change your status from ? to yes, we can carpool.”

“Hey Dhutch,
I was in Indy yesterday with Thinkbubelz... Looks like all the snow's melted!!! How's the weather where you are? The forecast on Weather.com seemed to indicate rain/snow mix... doesn't sound very fun to hike in..... Of course, it's still over a week away....

Can I let you know for sure when it gets closer to the date?”