Rock River Trail Weekend, September 9–10, 2017, Lost Nation, IL
Arrive either Friday evening, September 8, or by 8:00 Saturday morning at Lost Nation, about a two to two-and-a-half hour drive west from Chicago on I-88. We will stay at the Orland Hill House on 45 acres of oak woods overlooking Lost Lake from the north end of the lake (directions will be provided but you also can Google Lost Nation, IL). This is a camping weekend, and you can choose to camp outside in your tent or inside in your sleeping bag on the floor or on a bed or sofa. The Hill House has two baths with showers (please bring your own towel). Cost of the weekend will be $20 for SAG and camping/food to be collected on-site. This is a recreational/endurance ride.
Saturday’s late summer ride begins at 9:00 AM and will be along the Rock River Trail from Lost Nation to Oregon and Mount Morris and back. (Lunch venue TBD.) Riding distance for this loop is 50 miles with some hills and beautiful open country (cue sheet will be provided). You can also choose a longer loop to Leaf River, back through Mount Morris, and then White Pines Forest State Park (61 miles) or a shorter option looping back from Oregon to Lost Nation (30 miles). Oregon is the site of the Lorado Taft statue of Blackhawk, viewed across the Rock River on our ride or you can choose to get a close-up by visiting Lowden State Park on the east side of the river.
Route details including elevation profiles (cue sheets provided for all):
Saturday dinner will be a cookout at the house, and you are invited to bring a dish to share and your beverage of choice. We will have a fire pit for s’mores and post-ride revelry. Bring your own breakfast fare. We will supply burgers, buns and fixin’s, s’mores, and coffee and tea.
Sunday morning we will visit Nachusa Grasslands and a tour of the incredible prairie restoration project of the Nature Conservancy (www.nachusagrasslands.org). Tim Sherck has been a volunteer at Nachusa for many years and will show us around. We may even glimpse the herd of wild bison as we take in the vistas (bring binoculars). Feel free to linger afterwards at the Hill House and Lost Lake or get an early start back to the city.
For more information, contact Jack Kiburz at 630-621-5691 or kibujack@gmail.com.