Illinois Prairie Path condition in this monsoon season

Has anyone taken a ride on the Illinois Prairie Path (main stem west to Wheaton, and Aurora stem south from Wheaton to Warrenville) lately? Is it super muddy and/or flooded in parts? I'm planning a ride with some friends to Two Brothers tomorrow. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by David Holmquist on July 17, 2012 at 5:38pm

I ride the IPP frequently, coming from Oak Park.  I take Washington (which starts as Randolph at Harlem Avenue) straight west through Forest Park, River Forest, Maywood and Bellwood, to the trailhead on Butterfield Road beneath the Berkeley water tower.  The IPP east of there has too many crossings with too many bad curb cuts for my taste.  The pavement from Thatcher Road to 25th Avenue can be bumpy, but the traffic is not heavy, and its a more direct route if you're coming from the city using the Washington Blvd bike lanes.

Permalink Reply by Tim on July 17, 2012 at 7:06pm

Just in case anyone was wondering about some other local unpaved type trails, I recently rode the Fox River trail all the way to the border and the Hebron trail and didnt experience any of these ruts or fischers opening up in the trail.

Permalink Reply by igz on July 18, 2012 at 2:39am

i experienced them ruts on the i&m canal. they quickly take you out of the 'pathway hypnosis'.

Permalink Reply by Michele on July 18, 2012 at 6:23am

I do the same. I found the IPP east of there a bit spooky. Desolate.

David Holmquist said:

I ride the IPP frequently, coming from Oak Park.  I take Washington (which starts as Randolph at Harlem Avenue) straight west through Forest Park, River Forest, Maywood and Bellwood, to the trailhead on Butterfield Road beneath the Berkeley water tower.  The IPP east of there has too many crossings with too many bad curb cuts for my taste.  The pavement from Thatcher Road to 25th Avenue can be bumpy, but the traffic is not heavy, and its a more direct route if you're coming from the city using the Washington Blvd bike lanes.

Permalink Reply by Will on July 18, 2012 at 6:32am

I think it's pretty nice from Maywood to Butterfield, but then again, I've taken Madison all the way from the West Loop to Maywood, so the "spooky" part of the IPP is practically paradise, by comparison.

Permalink Reply by Michele on July 18, 2012 at 6:47am

I dunno. something about the desolateness spooked me. I take Washington Blvd out of the loop. Why do you take Madison?

Will V. said:

I think it's pretty nice from Maywood to Butterfield, but then again, I've taken Madison all the way from the West Loop to Maywood, so the "spooky" part of the IPP is practically paradise, by comparison.

Permalink Reply by Will on July 18, 2012 at 6:59am

That was before I knew better, I wouldn't do it again.

Michele said:

I dunno. something about the desolateness spooked me. I take Washington Blvd out of the loop. Why do you take Madison?

Permalink Reply by David Holmquist on July 18, 2012 at 8:50am

Washington has the advantage of bike lanes, plus there are no buses (as there are on Madison).

Will V. said:

That was before I knew better, I wouldn't do it again.

Michele said:

I dunno. something about the desolateness spooked me. I take Washington Blvd out of the loop. Why do you take Madison?

Permalink Reply by Michele on July 18, 2012 at 10:45am

Washington is also much better - wider and bike lanes and thus safer - than Augusta, which I used to take.

David Holmquist said:

Washington has the advantage of bike lanes, plus there are no buses (as there are on Madison).

Will V. said:

That was before I knew better, I wouldn't do it again.

Michele said:

I dunno. something about the desolateness spooked me. I take Washington Blvd out of the loop. Why do you take Madison?

Permalink Reply by David Holmquist on July 18, 2012 at 1:38pm

There are also new, protected bike lanes on Lake Street, under the Green Line, through stretches of the west side.  I'm not sure how far east and west the city intends to extend them, but I rode from California to Laramie last week, and the lanes were well designed and smoooooooth!

Michele said:

Washington is also much better - wider and bike lanes and thus safer - than Augusta, which I used to take.

David Holmquist said:

Washington has the advantage of bike lanes, plus there are no buses (as there are on Madison).

Will V. said:

That was before I knew better, I wouldn't do it again.

Michele said:

I dunno. something about the desolateness spooked me. I take Washington Blvd out of the loop. Why do you take Madison?

Permalink Reply by Tony Adams on July 18, 2012 at 3:46pm

Thanks Daniel.

It is also nice to be reminded that "monsoon" was recently an appropriate term for weather conditions in July in Chicago.

Daniel G said:

Bumping some old thread rather than making a new one.

If you ride the IPP (not the Great Western Trail) through Lombard, you should be aware of some very dangerous ruts that have marred the path between Elizabeth and the bridge over Finley. About three city blocks of the path are affected, with a total of four-five distinct ruts. They are 5-10 feet long, 2-4 inches wide, and 3-4 inches deep. In other words, waiting to kill someone. Cause is unclear but they need to be dealt with very soon, I would be surprised if they have not already been responsible for injuries. Exceeding ten mph between Finley and Elizabeth is not recommended until you know where the ruts are.

Permalink Reply by Brett Miller on August 4, 2014 at 10:46pm
Bumping some old thread rather than making a new one.

Anyone have any early condition reports of the Prairie Path or Great Western Trail between Forest Park and Geneva after last night's monsoon? A friend and I were planning to ride to Penrose Brewing and back today.

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