looking for route from chicago to starved rock

looking for route from chicago to starved rock

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Permalink Reply by mark stetson on August 13, 2012 at 9:16pm

I rode over once last year, and drove to meet friends in December.  Here's a pic of Starved Rock from the December trip. 

Permalink Reply by Todd Bremer on July 4, 2013 at 2:40pm

To Seneca it is nice. I have not been beyond Seneca towards Starved Rock. There are some nice Youtube voideos on teh sections near Ottawa and Marsailles.

Louis K said:

I rode this last year to Starved Rock, after taking the Metra to Joliet.  Just a warning, the I&M canal trail is great until Morris, but after Morris it is poorly maintained.  Huge ruts, overgrown vegetation, puddles, etc.  On my way back I decided to ride the quiet road next to the trail because the trail was in such poor condition.

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on July 5, 2013 at 9:37am

You can take the path all the way to Starved Rock, put portions may have been washed out by the heavy rains in the spring of 2013.  State funds may not have been available to do the repairs.

The path is north of the river; take Rt. 178 south to cross the river.  The campground is just off of Rt. 71,

If anybody does go this way let us know the condition of the canal path.

Permalink Reply by Kari B on July 5, 2013 at 3:38pm
I'm doing this trip on Monday! But my friend and I are actually going to push through Davenport, Iowa. Would love to hear any tips/advice, like what I read so far!
Permalink Reply by Jeff Markus on July 6, 2013 at 10:52am
Enjoy the ride and Starved Rock State Park NOW for the area is going to be decimated. The very rock that allowed the formation of the features along the Illinois River and the construction of the I&M Canal is being lusted for by the fracking industry to be pumped down to open fissures for gas and oil to be squeezed from the earth. Already the area north and northwest of the park has begun being ripped apart for open pit mines where the sandstone is blasted and crushed to be hauled away. Permits are planned for the area adjacent to the east side of the park which will leave industrial grade carnage up to the park boundaries.
The very features of this resulting sand that makes it desireable for fracking also makes it a hazard to the air and animal life as in its production it forms a fine particlulate dust that clogs lungs and causes cancer.
The fracking industry has designs on the land surrounding the town and park which will destroy the scenic, historic and farming potential of this vital Illinois landscape.
So enjoy it now and join the fight to protect the land or forever lose another chunk of our lanscape to the oil/gas industry.
Search for Straved Rock preservation and stopping fracking sand mining.
Jeff M
Permalink Reply by Dovah Cat on August 1, 2013 at 8:17am

Can anyone who's been on the I & M trail recently update me on its condition? I'm trying to figure out my tire situation... how rough is the gravel and what is the trail's level of maintenance? Thanks! 

Permalink Reply by mark stetson on August 1, 2013 at 7:04pm

I'm interested too, but only have anecdotal evidence to give.  The last 2 tourists that have come my way both tried a few miles of the trail, but abandonded it for US6 not far from Morris.   The reports I got were "rough and rocky".   80 miles of US6 sounds like torture to me, so I'm interested to know if the trail is really that bad.  So for advice, I'd just be conservative and say run the biggest tires you have or will fit.

What about riding the Illinois Prarie Path out and following the Fox River down to Ottawa on the road?  The roads between the river and IL 71 look like they would be nice riding to me.  Basically, Kendall county highway 1 from Yorkville to Sheridan, then cross the river and take LaSalle county highway 2 to Wedron, Il 23 into Ottawa, then about 10 miles of Il 71 to Starved Rock.

Permalink Reply by Kevin Mulcky on August 2, 2013 at 3:05am
The roads heading to starved rock that are just south of the river are super beautiful and a lot of fun to ride. They have great pavement, winding turns and gentle hills; all while hugging the river.
Permalink Reply by Bez on August 2, 2013 at 4:51am

This is good info.  We are doing Naperville to Starved Rock in October and were just planning on doing the trail for most of it.  Might have to reset the route for that if the trail conditions are bad.

Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on August 2, 2013 at 5:50am



mark stetson said:

Il 23 into Ottawa, then about 10 miles of Il 71 to Starved Rock.
Illinois 71, south of the river has some very uphill areas with blind corners to go around. A better alternative is Dee Bennet Road from Ottawa to Utica, then a short distance left to the entrance to Starved Rock.
Permalink Reply by Bob Kastigar on August 2, 2013 at 5:56am



Jeff Markus said:

Enjoy the ride and Starved Rock State Park NOW for the area is going to be decimated. The very rock that allowed the formation of the features along the Illinois River and the construction of the I&M Canal is being lusted for by the fracking industry to be pumped down to open fissures for gas and oil to be squeezed from the earth.

Please comment to the IEPA about this new frac sand mine being applied for north of the Illinois River.

In your comments - please ask for an extension of the public comment period and for a public hearing -- thanks!  Comment period ends Monday Aug 5th!

http://www.epa.state.il.us/public-notices/2013/illinois-sand-company-mine/index.pdf

 

Permalink Reply by Eric Peterson on August 2, 2013 at 6:46am

Does the OP want to ride only on trails?

From Naperville there are some good road options for getting down to Ottawa, and from there to Starved Rock.

Eric Peterson

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