Hike Lake Co. Challenge Gets Underway

Lake County Forest Preserves: The Lake County Forest Preserves has a challenge – or seven of them – for you. Grab your hiking shoes and head to the trails to participate in the Hike Lake County program while enjoying fall breezes and autumn colors. Medical research shows that being outdoors in nature has many health benefits. Hike Lake County provides a way to get a dose of healthiness while walking in a beautiful preserve.

Complete seven of 12 designated hikes by November 30 and you'll earn a free commemorative shield for your walking stick or a zipper pull. Each year features new trails and a colorful new shield or zipper pull. Bicycling or horseback riding do not count toward the program. At each preserve, look for Hike Lake County logo signs at the trailhead to get you started on the right route.
To get started, you'll need an official travel log to record your routes. Every hiker needs their own. Let your canine companion join in the fun and complete the hikes with you. Record their name on your travel log and your dog will receive a free commemorative dog tag (up to three dogs). You can purchase an optional Hike Lake County dog collar to hang it on.
To receive your free dog tag, zipper pull or commemorative shield for your walking stick (while supplies last), submit your Travel Log online, bring it to any Hike Lake County Center, or mail it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Lake County Forest Preserves, 1899 West Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048 by January 31, 2020.

The Hike Lake County locations include:
Des Plaines River Trail–Route 60 Canoe Launch, 1.9 miles Trail Map »
Fourth Lake–Operations Facility, 2.3 miles* Trail Map »
Grant Woods–Grand Avenue, 1.7 miles Trail Map »
Grassy Lake, 1.8 miles Trail Map »
Independence Grove, 2.6 miles*# Trail Map »
Lakewood–Winter Sports Area, 1.7 miles Trail Map »
Nippersink, 1.2 miles Trail Map »
Pine Dunes, 2.2 miles* Trail Map »
Ryerson Woods, 1.6 miles#^ Trail Map »
Singing Hills, 3.2 miles* Trail Map »
Spring Bluff, 1.8 miles Trail Map »
Van Patten Woods, 1.7 miles Trail Map »
Wild Card–You Pick, choose any Lake County Forest Preserve Trail, 2 miles* Trail Map »

*Counts as two trails, #No dogs allowed, ^Not ADA accessible

The Hike Lake County Centers where commemorative materials can be picked up include:

• General Offices, Libertyville. Weekdays, 8 am–4:30 pm | 847-367-6640
• Operations Office, Lindenhurst. Weekdays, 6:30 am–3 pm | 847-968-3411
• Ryerson Woods Welcome Center, Riverwoods. Tue–Sat, 9 am–5 pm; Sun, 11 am–4 pm | 847-968-3320