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A winding trail through some of the most scenic areas of Palos.


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Map Key

3.8

Miles

6.2

KM

Singletrack

713' 217 m

High

615' 187 m

Low

263' 80 m

Up

217' 66 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

10%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Family Friendly Mostly smooth singletrack trail with some root areas and dips.

Description

Stonehouse trail winds through some of the most scenic areas of Palos. Features include several armored creek crossings and an old CCC shelter where trail users can rest and chat by a warm fireplace.

Starting at he bottom of Gravity Cavity, the eastern section begins with several tight climbing switchbacks and a fast section with fast dips. The next section winds around the top of several scenic ravines. Ride uphill to the trail's namesake, an old CCC shelter nicknamed the Stonehouse. A right turn after the Stonehouse and the trail continues to a fast downhill section.

The final tight turn of this section leads to an armored creek crossing and a three-way intersection. Left at the intersection will take you out to Palos Yellow Multitrack East. Continuing to the right on Stonehouse trail is a section that was previously named Out-and-Back featuring several tight hairpin turns and two ravine crossings. At another three-way intersection, going straight will take you out to Palos Yellow Multitrack East. Turning right will continue on Stonehouse downhill into a fun area with a series of bermed turns, a small armored creek crossing, and a large armored creek crossing.

The next intersection brings you to Burrito Hill and end of Stonehouse trail. Left on Burrito Hill will bring you to Palos Yellow Multitrack East and right on Burrito Hill will lead to 104th Ave.

Starting from the eastern end at Burrito Hill, Stonehouse will start with smooth flowy sections, a large armored creek crossing and a smaller creek crossing. Climbing a series of bermed turns, keep cranking those pedals and use the berms to maintain your climbing momentum. A gradual climb ends at a three-way intersection. Going right will take you out to Palos Yellow Multitrack East.

Turning left will continue onto Stonehouse on a section that was previously known as Out-and-Back which has several hairpin turns and two ravine crossings. At the next 3-way intersection, going straight leads to Palos Yellow Multitrack East and turning left will be a creek crossing and a hairpin left turn. This next area travels along the top of several scenic ravines and leads to some downhill switchback turns and the end of Stonehouse. Turning left will be One Day and turning right will ascend Gravity Cavity.

Contacts

Shared By:

Jason O'Young

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 25 votes

#441

Overall
  4.7 from 25 votes
5 Star
68%
4 Star
32%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Illinois

#441

Overall
13 Views Last Month
7,604 Since Sep 29, 2015
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
52%
19%
29%
0%

Photos

Testing gravity on Gravity Cavity
Oct 23, 2017 near Palos H…, IL
Jason O'Young weaving between the trees on Stonehouse with Mark Morgan and Rick Nestor.
Oct 18, 2015 near Palos H…, IL
Mark Morgan sets his sights on the next berm.
Oct 18, 2015 near Palos H…, IL
Jason O'Young, Mark Morgan, and Rick Nestor climb out of an armored creek crossing on Stonehouse.
Oct 18, 2015 near Willow…, IL
Rick Nestor rolls over the armored creek crossing on Stonehouse.
Oct 18, 2015 near Palos H…, IL
Climbing Gravity Cavity - Fall 2020
Sep 27, 2020 near Palos H…, IL
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 70 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 30, 2021
Adam Berkson
Mar 28, 2021
Kelly Gandy
Oct 3, 2020
Kev Wilson
Sep 26, 2020
Kev Wilson
Jul 28, 2020
Andy Jatis
Jun 13, 2020
Not Notorioust
Beautiful and so much fun! Trail is in absolutely perfect condition right now. Some of these "armored" crossings are pretty tricky!
Sep 2, 2019
Tommy Walsh
3.9mi — 1h 00m
Jul 10, 2019
Michael Crannell
4mi — 0h 45m

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