Review Date
October 3, 2012

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: dhguy ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
Getting any organization to think cycling isn't just about thrashing about and tearing apart is tough. Keeping up on making that place fun and maintaining a ghost status isn't very enjoyable. Just being friendly while you're there to maintain the brush back off the trail i think would be to have the best relationship with hikers and any wardens you come across.

Overall for a quick rush of adrenaline its worth the workout.

Recommended Route:
Straight up the hill then fire road back up.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Kettle, Palos.

Review Date
June 8, 2012

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week

Reviewed by: kingspeak93 ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
awesome trails! lots of local bikers keep up the singletrack with log jumps, chopping weeds, and cleaning up. There are a few downhills that are the most adrenalizing trails for 100 miles. If you go on a day when this place is empty, it is incredible.

Review Date
May 31, 2011

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 3 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: WadsworthRed ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
It only gets 3's in as is condition. But with a little work this could easily be 5's!!

An area with an incredible amount of potential. This is a reclaimed gravel/strip mining area combined with the natural highest peak in northeastern Illinois. This creates a fantastic array of varied terrain that is, or could be, similar to or even surpass the fun factor of the Kettles. There is a potential for miles of flowing, undulating, single track climbing in and out kettles through well spaced 2nd growth hardwood timber. Fast loops through rolling tall grass praire at the front of the trails.

Further this could be developed into a bastion for gravity junkies, with steep rugged descents available from the peak of Gander to the deep kettles surrounding its base.

However, this will all take ADVOCACY on all our part so that these system can be built. Due to the rocky/sandy nature of the soil erosion could be a big problem therefore

NOTE:
Parking is sparse and cramped, Please respect the trails, hikers, and wardens of the park. We must make friends with these people, not enemies.

Recommended Route:
Technically an up and back on the main fire road. However there are various "other" routes (wink) that can be found as off shoots. However as noted previously, these are not legal single track trails and are "intended" for hiking (though they look to be mysteriously maintained by ghost cyclists). It is advisable to walk these trails just to see the potential of what could be!

Other recommended trails in the same area:
John Muir Trails (Kettle Moraine), Petrifying Springs Park (Kenosha/Racine), Beulah Park (Zion IL)

Review Date
December 3, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 5 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Reviewed by: Tom Hinman ,  Weekend Warrior , from IL

Summary:
Is BCLC for real? Please tell more about advocacy for Lake county. I would like to get involved and help out!

Review Date
August 10, 2003

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 4 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 2 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Every few months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Reviewed by: CHAOTIC MESS ,  Racer , from LAKE VILLA

Summary:
This place has a lot of potential if the dnr would make the trails legal. Time to start lobbying to get something done about it. There is technically NO legal singletrack according to the signs. You have to stay on the old tractor roads. It is pretty challenging flying down the hill and the climb up is a fine workout the 3rd time up. I still dont know if it is legal to go up to the top of the hill and enjoy the view but I plan on finding out. Getting involved,connected and learning through BIKE CLUB OF LAKE COUNTY. (BCLC) check them out!

Recommended Route:
GO DOWN 1.5 miles, GO UP 1.5 miles, and FEEL THE BURN!!!!! AAAAHhHhhh,,,,,

Other recommended trails in the same area:
THE MOUNTAIN OF WEST MILTMORE! Kettle Moraine, Rock Cut (family camping with singletrack at your front door!)