We started at the south end of the trail and managed to go 11 miles in 2 hours because we spent so much time trying to figure out where the trail was, wading through mud, and jumping over trees across the path. Des Plaines: 1982: Flambeau River: Rusk, Price: Crowley dam to Big Falls Reservoir: 46: . I don't even know if I'd ride through them on a mountain bike unless I was really looking to get nasty. The trails are I only rode a short distance (Rte 176 to Rte 22 and didn't take any of the side loops. and then out to Milwaukee Ave. All-in-all it's a pretty nice section of the DPRT, and I'd encourage anyone to try it. The trail is crushed gravel and in good condition most of the way. As others have said, going north from there keeps you in Lake County which does a great job of maintaining the trails. In one place it comes down to a worn path barely a tire's width. The sticker is good for the life of the vehicle's window and is non-transferrable. It starts just a little bit past the Canoe launch area so just keeping going past it and you'll see the bike entrance. Help defend and expand trails nationwide. I just learned to power through the soft stuff when I see it. While the trail is deep into suburbia, there are sections of the trail that are so sheltered you would think you're miles from civilization. The trail is in two counties. ", "I have been using this trail to run on for about two years, and I think it is a great trail. Site identification number Each site in the USGS data base has a unique 8- to 15-digit identification number. Overall it is a spectacular ride, especially when the prairie flowers are blooming. Even during relatively dry periods, there is standing in several spots on the trail. We drove up from NW Indiana to ride the Lake County portion of the trail. Several forest preserve parks along the way if you want to stop for a picnic or a rest. The area south of Touhy to the expressway was OK, but then the bridge was out at Cumberland. The Des Plaines River ( / dsplenz /) is a river that flows southward for 133 miles (214 km) [2] through southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois [3] in the United States Midwest, eventually meeting the Kankakee River west of Channahon to form the Illinois River, a tributary of the Mississippi River . While you're on the trail, you'll merge right onto the paved ring path around the grove and stay on it for maybe a quarter of a mile before you have the option to get back on the trail. depth (sq mi) To depth map Nearby waterbodies (23) High bluffs and rock outcrops in places. First time on this trail in July of 2014. Just so many sights to see and check out along the way on the trail. It's just off Route 137. Once north from Everet Rd in Lake County up to the Wisconsin border. Des Plaines River, river rising in Kenosha county, southeastern Wisconsin, U.S., and flowing south into Illinois through the northwestern suburbs of Chicago to Lyons. A wasted ride when I could have done the Prairie Path or Salt Creek trail. The section through downtown Des Plaines is quite nice, and would be a ideal place to stop for lunch. While it had been pretty wet here lately the trail was in good shape. For well information this can be a district-assigned local number. is the worst); horizontal tree roots across the path; areas where the gravel is too coarse and where it is too deep (especially over the Kennedy Expressway). The northern most section of trail from Wadsworth Rd north to the Wisconsin state line is the rockiest. I ride this trail from Russell Rd just over the Illinois border south and I love it! 7. The Des Plaines River begins near Union Grove, Wisconsin and flows south through Racine and Kenosha Counties in Wisconsin and Lake, Cook, and Will Counties in Illinois. Generally a nice trail. This is a MESS,PERIOD. Started at Dundee and rode north to Route 60. The trail is definitely suited more for mountain bikes ~ not road bikes. Check out the trail map and locate Independence Grove. 1. There are a couple restrooms along the way not much water unless you venture off the path. It is open for hiking . There was one area that I had to walk the bike about 500 yards because of the ruts, mud and overall roughness. I've lived walking distance from the trail for 20 years. It seems to smooth out quite nicely after that and is very pleasant. The trail is a narrow dirt and sometimes mud path.Tricycles will have an extremely difficult time in the Cook County portion. The crushed limestone surface is easy to ride for those with cross bikes, hybrid bikes, mountain bikes and anything with tires wider than 1 1/2 inches. Even when you are on it in some areas, you'll think you're on a goat path. The farther north you go, the less populated the area becomes. Once dried up I feel the forest preserve district does a great job of re-grooming the trail. The appeal of this trail is the diverse areas through which it passes. I rode the Cook county portion in mid summer. We tried this trail for the first time this weekend. The Des Plaines River begins in the farmland of Racine County, Wis. Also kids hanging out under a few too. This stretch though is pretty rough. The crushed limestone surface drains water away quickly though in winter, when the ground is frozen, the water can form puddles or freeze so you must be careful. Web Portal Changes: The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) hosted at https://water.weather.gov will be replaced by the National Water Prediction Service (NWPS), with a target of March 2024. There are relatively few road crossings. All in all, the beauty and excitement of DPRT far outweighed the low points and frustration along some sections, so I plan to run the entire 112 mile loop every Fall from now on. Some bad parts from wheeling north to lake cook rd. Illinois River nautical chart and water depth map - Fishermap Cons -South of Milwaukee trail is muddy and swamp-like, very narrow paths -Underpasses can close as can parking lots (I once drove from Milwaukee Ave. to Beck Lake without finding an open lot) -Can be a bit confusing especially south of Milwaukee To sum up, start north at Milwaukee. Along this segment, users will find that the trail is well maintained and frequented by nearby residents. There are nice, clean picnic shelters and a bathroom right off the trail. Plenty of shade. We got 11 miles in and the trail abruptly endsno signage or maps at all to tell you where you need to go. * * * !! Again, thankful we had mountain bikes. Background: The Des Plaines River (pronounced Dess Planes) begins in Racine County and flows 133 miles before joining the Kankakee to form the Illinois River which eventually resolves in the Mississippi.. The Des Plaines River runs through the city, just east of its downtown area. In Northbrook, you have to cross a busy Milwaukee Avenue (by Allgauers restaurant) with no stoplight. You can picnic right next to the Des Plaines River. I started out in Vernon Hills off of Milwaukee and Rt 22. Unless you must have a paved trail because you are an entitled suburbanite or otherwise infirm. There are areas where you will have fellow trail users, and other areas where you will enjoy the solitude. For its beauty, diversity and serenity, I give this trail the ranking of great trail! It's actually disgraceful and I would not recommend a road bike here. Great trail. A variety of fish call the river home: bluegill, carp, crappie, largemouth bass, northern pike and walleye. I hear there are plans to improve this section, and it would be a good thing. Camp Ground Road and Des Plaines River Trail threatened near Miner Street. You don't have to worry about traffic as you either go over or under any major roadways, but make sure the trails are open as it can get flooded easily during heavy rainfall or days of rain which can cause parts of the trails to be closed until it goes down. This part is not as well marked, and one point (at Campground Road Woods) it was not clear that I should cross the road and continue on the road, because it was not marked. We had a beautiful Labor Day bike ride on the trail, from Campground Road in Des Plaines north to Potowatomi Park in Wheeling. Awesome trail. We had to turn around at the UP RR crossing just north of Golf Rd because the trail was blocked with barriers. The whole trail is a great ride and worth the trip and experience as I ride through/ on it at least 5-10 times each summer. I have attempted to go past the Lincolnshire Marriott but there is an unfinished section south of the resort that it a little bit of a pain to get around, so I haven't done it. 173 S Des Plaines River Rd has been listed on Redfin for 67 days since April 28, 2023. I live in Libertyville and ride the DPRT 3-4 times per week from about Rte 22 all of the way up to the Wisconsin Line. There are erosion washouts; new makeshift alignments around trees that were downed years ago--and around mud spots that have never been filled in; dark tunnels full of mud and tree branches (Higgins Rd. Noted some dangerous spots though. The trail follows the Des Planes River very closely. Then you have to ride up a little street to find the trail again. I can't imagine why they say this is wheelchair accessible either. Apparently there are plans to build a bridge. A strange old series of buildings that have been around for more than 100 years. Road this trail twice recently riding a recumbent trike. Luckily, I had my phone and checked the traillink app, but we decided, that we had enough of the rough terrain, that we headed back. For those of you that have real hills in your area, you'll laugh at my description of "hilly". Other than that the trail is one of the best ones to ride on for bikers of all levels. The southern portion (Cook County) is very difficult to follow as markings are very far and few between. I have walked this frequently and have had a lot of fun and excitement saw many deer and small animals chipmunks, squirrels and saw a couple of cardinals, I walk this once a day and have a good time met a lot of nice people while walking . Directions to Des Plaines, IL - MapQuest The trail in Cook County also has large gravel as the road bed in certain portions. Well marked with mile markers every 1/4 mile. You can ride this with a road bike if you're confident but cross or gravel bikes are better but certainly not absolutely necessary. It's a little more challenging with more hilly terrain but the trail is in wonderful shape.
