Hike Lake County Challenge Gets Underway

LAKE COUNTY, IL — The Lake County Forest Preserves is kicking off its annual Hike Lake County challenge, with the hopes of encouraging more residents get out to explore more local forest preserves this fall.

Residents who complete seven of the the forest preserves' 12 featured walks by Nov. 30 will be able to get a free commemorative shield for your walking stick or a zipper pull. Each year the forest preserve features different trails and hands out different shields or zipper pulls, while supplies last, for those who take part in the challenge.

The 2022 Hike Lake County locations are:

• Buffalo Creek, 2.7 miles (which counts as two trails in this year's challenge) Map »
• Ethel's Woods/Raven Glen, 1.5 miles Map »
• Grant Woods, 1.6 mile Map »
• Greenbelt, 1.8 miles Map »
• Hastings Lake, 2.3 miles Map »
• Independence Grove, 1.4 miles Map »
• Lakewood, 1.3 miles Map »
• Marl Flat, 1.8 miles Map »
• Old School, 1.1 miles Map »
• Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area, 2 miles Map »
• Spring Bluff, 1.8 miles Map »
• Van Patten Woods, 2.3 miles Map »
• Wild Card–You Pick, choose any Lake County Forest Preserve trail, 2 miles Map »

At each selected preserve, look for Hike Lake County logo signs at the preserve entrance and trailhead to get you on the right route.

Those participating in the challenge will need an official travel log, which you can download here, to record your routes and then, once you've completed the challenge, you can submit your travel log online, or mail it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Lake County Forest Preserves, 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048.

You can also stop by the general offices in Libertyville or the Ryerson Welcome Center in Riverwoods to pick up your free commemorative materials between 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday or 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.