Hiking 2023-2024 Season - Folks On Spokes

HomeHiking 2023-2024 Season

West Beach
March 10

The plan was to go to the Maple Sugar Festival, but weather conditions forced us to change location. There was a lot of rain Saturday, and the trails at the Chellberg Farm can get pretty wet. Everything turned out fine however. It was pretty chilly at first due to the wind, but once in the woods, we began shedding layers. The view of the lake and beyond was pretty incredible.
This is the last scheduled hike for the winter season. Time to take out our bikes and start riding. Of course this doesn't mean there won't be more hikes. Watch for periodic emails announcing upcoming bike rides or hikes.

Jeff, Allison, Scott

Tom, Andi, Bernie

Photographer: Jim

High Waves

Clear Skies

Chicago Across the Lake

Thorn Creek and GSU Sculpture Walk

This is another one of our annual hikes, combining Thorn Creek trail in the woods, with Governors State University manicured sculpture garden walk. Parts of the trail were pretty wet, so that was a challenge. The grounds at the college, however, were dry and we had no problem walking around. Our group went into Crete for lunch.

Thorn Creek Woods

Barb, Susan, Scott, Bernie, Allison

Budda Sculptures

Annual Starved Rock Hike
February 18

February 11
Cowles Bog

This hike started off with only four of us, Scott, Bernie, Susan and Andi. By the time we got to the lake, Jim, Allison, Jeff and Tom met up with us. As always, the hike was good, the weather held out and we all enjoyed the ups and downs of the area. This hike is a little more strenuous than some of the others, but we all made it without a problem. Lunch afterward in Miller.

From the Top of the Dune

You can see downtown Chicago...

Lemont Quarries Hike
Jan. 28, 2024

The Lemont Quarries hike is one of our newer hikes. We've been out there only a few times and every time it has been pretty icy. But not this time! The trails were pretty clear, although there were wet areas. We were able to take a closer look at the trees, plants and traces of animal activity in the area.

Our turnout on the hikes continues to be great. It's good to see so many wanting to escape the house in the winter and enjoy the outdoors.

After the hike we enjoyed lunch in Orland Park.

Jeff, Allison, Karen, Kathy, Susan, Tom, Sally, Irene

Bernie, Scott, JoDell, Jim, Bob, John, Wes

Photographer: Andi

Miller Beach
January 21, 2024

This hike was rescheduled due to dangerous freezing temps the week before. Although the day was very cold starting out, none of us felt it - we were all layered up and ready to enjoy the outdoors. Five hikers enjoyed the trail up to the beach where the views were outstanding. From there we went on to Marquette Park, hiked back through the neighborhood and to our cars. Lunch followed, of course.

Happy New Year! 2024

On New Year's Day, 13 members met for our traditional hike at Goodenow Grove in Crete, IL. This is the site of several of our events so it is fitting that we begin the new year at this location.

Thirteen of us turned out to enjoy the day. The forecast was for some sun, and we anxiously looked at the sky hoping for a peek, hoping we'd remember what it looked like. Although the sky got brighter at times, we were not rewarded with a sunny day. Oh well. Next time.

We will return to Goodenow Grove soon for another hike and campfire lunch.

Alison, Susan, Bob, Scott, Irene, Jeff, Karen, Andi, Tom, JoDell, Bernie, Jim

Photographer: Kathy

December 18, 2023
Annual Christmas Walk
Downtown Chicago

It seems like this winter has been unusually warm so far. However, that was not the case for our annual Christmas walk. It was pretty cold out there, and especially windy. Luckily, we were in and out of buildings, so we could warm up a bit before venturing out again. By the time we headed back, everyone seemed ready to call it a day. Battling the cold and wind really tired most of us out.

Eleven walkers came out for our annual walk and even though the weather was against us, we had a really nice time and saw amazing trees.

Thanks to John and Jim for mapping out our route in advance. We know just where to go for the best sights of the season.

Our Group

The Hilton

Hilton Gingerbread City

The Blackstone

Palmer

Along the Way

Outside Macys

Macys

25 East Washington

The Peninsula

The Peninsula (2)

The Peninsula (3)

The Peninsula (4)

The Peninsula (5)

Hancock Building

The Drake

Bloomingdales

More Along the Way

Along the Way (3)

Along the Way (4)

Outside Cultural Center

West Beach
December 17, 2023

We really aren't camera shy. We just forgot to take a group picture - again! But there were four of us this hike - Scott, Andi, Susan and Karen. It's a little surprising because the day before was very rainy so we weren't too sure what we'd encounter. As it turned out, the trails were fine and the views were beautiful. Another successful hike!

Afterward, we went to Highland for lunch. We were across the street from the Indiana Welcome Center where they were hosting a special event. Members of the original cast of The Christmas Story were there, meeting the public. Although we were not a part of that, it was still fun to be distant part of the festivities.

Horsetail Lake/Swallow Cliff Hike
December 3

This was an interesting hike, to say the least. Probably The most amazing thing is that ten people actually showed up. The weather was very questionable. It was definitely a damp, cool, clammy day. There were periods of misty rain and drippy rain However, once we got going, we were fine. The trails were very muddy in spots and there were times we had to find ways around flooded pathways. In spite of all that, spirits were high and we had a great time. We always do! Noone actually kept track of the mileage. but we were out there hiking for about 2 hours. This hike includes the old toboggan slide and we generally stop there to rest and enjoy the view. We always start from the bottom and make our way to the top. No casualties yet! Afterward, we had a nice lunch in Orland Park.

We forgot to get a photo this time. These were our hikers: Bernie, Scott, Tom, Jim T., Jeff, Alison, Andi, Susan, Kathy and JoDell.

Bailly Homestead and Farm
November 19, 2023

We had an amazing hike at the Homestead. Fifteen hikers showed up for a gorgeous fall day. It didn't take long before we were removing hats, gloves and shedding layers. This trail is about 4 miles long. It's considered a moderate trail and the only things we really had to watch out for were tree roots hiding under fallen leaves.

Welcome to our new member, Tom, who joined us on the hike and afterward for lunch.

Our next hike will be Horsetail Lake/Swallow Cliff on Dec. 3. It would be great if we have another good turnout. It's always a good time.

By the way, those are bee boxes in the picture below. There were a few bees swarming around, given how warm it was. I'm not sure we ever noticed them before.

November 5, 2023
Indiana Dunes State Park - Trail 9 Hike

The weather was beautiful for this first of the season hike. Traditionally, we begin the season on Trail 9. It has ups, downs and beautiful views of the lake. Additionally, there is the benefit of some fall leaves hanging on for spectacular scenery.

We also welcomed Becky, a friend of Frankie and Dennis, who joined the group for the hike.

Hikes are every other week throughout the fall/winter season beginning two weeks after the End of Season picnic.