Chicago: Daves Loop
Venture into mosaic of woodlands, prairies, and glacial moraines on this 4-mile trek through a local forest preserve.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 6.4
Waypoints
WPT001
Location: 42.1359214782715, -88.220817565918
From car, hike E along forest line
WPT002
Location: 42.1355247497559, -88.2193069458008
Turn R on trail through pines; then R @ Y to skirt prairie bordered with Queen Anne’s Lace and home to deer
WPT003
Location: 42.1314277648926, -88.2186660766602
Turn R @ 2 consecutive Y’s, passing shady hardwoods
WPT004
Location: 42.1292839050293, -88.213996887207
L @ Y; hike up short, steep hill past eroded bank jump once used in competition by horseback
riders
WPT005
Location: 42.1289672851562, -88.2081527709961
R onto wider trail
WPT006
Location: 42.1325263977051, -88.2063980102539
R @ 3-way, pass wetland area lined by golden reeds
WPT007
Location: 42.1355018615723, -88.2044525146484
R @ 4-way; cross lively marsh filled with butterflies
and frogs
WPT008
Location: 42.1348304748535, -88.2017974853516
Turn L to cross Flint Creek, then take 2nd L onto double track
WPT009
Location: 42.1382522583008, -88.2008590698242
Follow L bend through shady hardwoods with wildberry and buckthorn understory. Stay on main trail to road
WPT010
Location: 42.1426544189453, -88.2065200805664
Turn L onto old Donlea Rd., a paved multiuse road
WPT011
Location: 42.1409606933594, -88.2092895507812
Turn R onto easy-to-miss trail; enter towering oak forest, one of the largest preserved in Chicago area
WPT012
Location: 42.1410827636719, -88.2151794433594
Sharp L @ T; Go uphill then continue straight
WPT013
Location: 42.1392021179199, -88.2142105102539
Cross paved Donlea Rd., following trail R and passing massive horse jumps made of logs
WPT014
Location: 42.1371192932129, -88.2154159545898
Follow trail R, bearing SW to open prairie, then into parking area (now visible) via any combo of spider-webbed trails