Earth Day Course

Race - Apr 16, 2022

Dogs Unknown

Mostly singletrack dirt trails off of the marked trail system in Veterans Park.

There are a few parking lots. The course start and finish is in the lot of off Walkup Rd, where there are also public restrooms and water fountains.

If you're allergic to poison ivy or poison oak, you may want to wear some sort of leg coverings on your first trip until you can judge whether or not you would want coverings for subsequent runs.

This trail is a bit hard to follow, even with nagivation, because it utilizes many of the unpaved trails, which are not a part of the marked or maintained trail system. Because of that, much of the run is twisting with short but moderate climbs with lots of loose rock, dirt & sand, and a lot of roots. Most of it is covered by trees and pretty narrow, with some areas that have low brush and overgrowth that you'll run through, including some briars. It's fully runable for more experienced runners, but beginner to intermediate runners may prefer to walk or hike some of the climbs.

Mix of deciduous and evergreen trees. A typical Illinois variety of squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and birds.

From the Crystal Lake Park District website: Veteran Acres Park and Sterne's Woods and Fen combine to provide nearly 300 acres of natural area. Within their boundaries are two dedicated Illinois State Nature Preserves and several miles of trails. These trails lead visitors through a variety of natural communities.