"Safe" path/route to get to I&M canal trail

I've been pouring over Google Map the past few months looking for a route that will go from the lake to the Mississippi River. Most of this can be done using the I&M Canal trail but the one thing I'm not 100% sure about is finding a "safe" route that starts from the lake. Looks like most of it might be cutting through some no-so-great neighborhoods and/or busy not-so-safe streets. Same thing appears the same even if you attempt to go the way of hooking up with the IL prairie path.

Anyone ever attempted to try to get to the I&M canal trail or the IL prairie path from the Lake?

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Permalink Reply by Alex Z on April 4, 2018 at 2:58am

I have.

You're right that the "hard part" is getting to the I&M. I took Halsted south, turned west somewhere in the 80's to go through Beverly, wound through the Hickory Hills, and ultimately met up with the path, somewhere before Lockport I think?

In my experience the "neighborhood" issue is nothing to worry about. The real trick is as you go further southwest there are barriers like big arterial roads, rail yards, etc., and as you've seen it's hard to find a cycle-friendly route. You might just take the sidewalk in a few places.

I rode to Iowa in four days and it was an awesome ride--have fun!

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 4, 2018 at 3:07am

In my experience the "neighborhood" issue is nothing to worry about. The real trick is as you go further southwest there are barriers like big arterial roads, rail yards, etc., and as you've seen it's hard to find a cycle-friendly route. You might just take the sidewalk in a few places.

+1

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 4, 2018 at 3:17am

Once the Cal-Sag Trail is completed all the way to the Indiana border and the Burnham Greenway gap is closed, that would give you a decent route to the I&M. Not sure when BOTH of those will happen. The Cal-Sag completion is likely to happen first, hopefully next year.

If you're staying further west, Halsted or Damen to 83rd, then west on 83rd to Kostner is a good start. (FYI - If you're going further west/north from there, 83rd is good all the way past Harlem, where you can pick up a residential street up to 71st to access Toyota Park for soccer games, festivals, etc.)

Also, Kostner is a good bike route (residential, with stop lights or stop signs for major street crossings) for much of the distance from the north side as far as 111th, where it's interrupted by St. Casimir Cemetery. Pulaski is heavy fast traffic, so this might be a sidewalk section if you're not comfortable with that.

Kostner picks up again at 115th and continues past 127th. If you follow that to 128th to Kolin to 130th (around Swap O Rama Flea Market) and continue west on 131st under the Tri State, you quickly come to the Cal-Sag Trail entrance on the S side of 131st just east of Cicero. That will take you all the way to Lemont, close to the start of the I&M.

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on April 4, 2018 at 5:11am

Anne, can you say more about your preferred route to Toyota Park? I've always wanted to bike there for a Fire game.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 4, 2018 at 8:50am

Take 83rd St. west past Harlem to Oketo Ave. (a few blocks further west). Oketo is mostly residential and will take you all the way to 71st - the southern edge of Toyota Park.

I think this is the easiest route to ride.  If you try to get across Harlem further north, you end up going through industrial areas and dealing with lots of truck traffic.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.7446066,-87.8017914,16z

Permalink Reply by Alex Z on April 5, 2018 at 3:05am

Thanks. Halsted to 83rd to Oketo is more miles than taking Archer or something more direct, but I bet it's a lot safer.

Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on April 5, 2018 at 9:02am

Much safer than Archer, though it's definitely a lot less direct.

Permalink Reply by TonyP on April 4, 2018 at 11:59am

Another way would be Kostner to 107th west thru Oak Lawn. past Cicero there is a small park at Stoney Creek which can be cut thru past the High School to Central. South on Central a couple of blocks past RR tracks to 109th street south to 111th thru Holy Sepulchre Cemetery to 115th west to Harlem.

If averse to cutting thru cemetery take Central to 115th west. I recommend staying off 111th because there is to much traffic and 115th is easier riding.

Heavy traffic from Cemetery exit to Ridgeland but not bad, residential from Ridgeland to Harlem(Waters Edge Golf club). West on Harlem. I recommend cutting thru golf course parking lot then taking sidewalk(half block) over canal. just past canal right on paved trail which is entrance to Cal-Sag trail just east of Lake Katherine.

I find this route a bit more stress free than the Swap O Rama Pulaski area.

Permalink Reply by DerferMark on April 4, 2018 at 6:29am

I'm a fan of taking CTA or Metra to "jump start" a ride. Did this route last year from Orange Line: http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/1641182186  Then hooked up with I&M...

Another great option is to ride south of Wolf Lake and hook up with the Thorncreek trail in Glenwood and then at Chicago Heights, ride west the entire length of the Old Plank Road trail which takes you into Joliet.

Metra Electric District train can also drop you right at Old Plank Road trail in Matteson. Station is right next to the trail.  Plank Road trail is really nice, all paved and shaded.

Permalink Reply by Filka Bean on April 11, 2018 at 4:08pm

That segment of Archer/171 doesn't look like much fun, or is it ok?

Permalink Reply by DerferMark on April 11, 2018 at 4:25pm

Well it's not the North Branch Trail but I didn't find it bad at all on a Sat. morning (only 4 miles or so). It's 4 lanes so plenty of room for cars to get by in left lane.  With Palos Hills nearby, I'd like to think cars are pretty used to seeing cyclists on Archer.  Another option from Midway/Orange line is to take a Pace bus to get you closer to the Centennial Trail...

Permalink Reply by Sean on April 4, 2018 at 7:00am

Hi Scott,

I believe I can help you.  I ridden from Beverly to the loop for work over the past 2 years (April through October).  I take Halstead almost the entire way.  It is pretty safe since there is a painted bike lane for practically the entire length.

Last November I rode my bike from Beverly to Davenport, IA (2 days @ 100 miles per day) and took both the I&M and Hennepin Canal trails. I'd be happy to share my routes and cue sheets with you. (As an FYI, there are 3 sections of the I&M Canal Trail that are currently closed)

If you're interested, email your cell phone number to me at seanflood66@yahoo.com and we can connect.

Sean

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