Blue White Loop

Dogs Leashed

Local mountain bikers have come up with their own trail names, separate from the official ones on the park district's trail map. This can lead to come confusion when comparing routes online. To make things more difficult, trails sometimes diverge from the official map, particularly around the southern convergence of the Red, Yellow, and Blue Trail. GPX tracks shown on Adventure Project's sites are accurate, and the wrong course won't take visitors far anyway. It's a small park.

Sundown Lane, the road used to access the park, is lined with a number of private residences. Please keep your speed and noise levels down when visiting.

Canoes and kayaks can take advantage of the small boat launch at the northern parking area.

The marsh and river are home to hoards of mosquitos in the warmer months. Come prepared.

Branching off of Blue Trail's northern segment for about half a mile, the Blue White Loop mixes in some of Saw Wee Kee's more challenging terrain.

The challenge is relative to the area's largely flat terrain, of course, but the Loop makes the most of its short length, traveling as an up and down rollercoaster almost its entire length. The path twists and turns as it goes, reaching one very steep climb near the hairpin on its southwestern side. If taking the Loop in reverse, use caution in this area, as it would be easy to inadvertently drop down the hillside.

The final section after the hairpin flattens out and is more similar to the Blue Trail, a welcome breather after climbing the steep segment.

Acquired from the State of Illinois in 1963, this former strip mine has been converted into a natural area. Adjacent to the Fox River, the park features shady woodlands and marshy wetlands. Animals typical to the area can be seen -- badgers, cottontail rabbits, deer -- and bald eagles have been spotted. On the less desirable side, the park asks visitors to check their shoes and gear for invasive plant seeds before leaving. Buckthorn, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, and reed canary are all called out by the park district as problematic species.