Palos is the granddaddy of the trail systems available in Chicago. It is the largest trail system and therefore gets the most use. In all, there are some fifty miles of singletrack and widetrack trails to explore, though the legal singletrack is congregated in the western half. The area has hills, rolling widetrack, tight twisty singletrack, climbs, fast descents, and plenty more to keep you satisfied for hours.
Start at Maple Lake East parking area and head out on
Maple Lake East on an easy downhill roll with views of Maple Lake.
Continue on
Hickory Smoked for some winding, wooded singletrack near Maple Lake. This part of the route features an armored water crossing as well as a challenging root system that can be bypassed or attacked with gusto for those seeking some challenge. At the end of this trail, stay right on the road for a short bit and then turn left on
Bullwhip.
Bullwhip starts with several wide switchback climbs and a single armored hump. From there, the trail transitions to tight turns followed by a short downhill run toward the parking lot at Pulaski Woods South. Continue straight across a dirt road to a short climb with some waterbars and berms, more climbing, before coming to an intersection with
Palos Yellow Multitrack (East). Stay Right here and then make a quick left onto
Pipeline.
Pipeline is an easy and smooth east-west route that will take you to the west side of Palos. Continue straight through the 4-way intersection with
Ho Chi Minh and then left at the
Pipeline North intersection. The trail eventually reaches its end at
Dynamite Road where you'll turn left.
Pedal
Dynamite Road past
Psycho Path, staying left at the intersection with
Three Ravines. This section is fairly smooth and not technical. Below
Three Ravines the trail drops into a fun and techy downhill with lots of rocks and roots.
Cross
Dynamite Road to get to
XX/Canal Access from 104th Ave. Drop in and then turn right on the
XX Extension. This part of the ride is an out-and-back with a short loop at the end. This is also one of the more scenic and challenging parts of Palos and should not be missed. Enjoy narrow trail with whoops followed by limestone rock gardens. The far end has a short loop with a short steep descent and climb.
When you get back to the
XX/Canal Access from 104th Ave connector, head back the way you came on
Dynamite Road. When you top out on the climb, turn right onto
Three Ravines.
Three Ravines is exactly as the name implies, three ravine crossings - each one very different in approach and execution.
Three Ravines runs predominantly downhill from the middle of
Dynamite Road to a three-way intersection with
Ho Chi Minh and
One Day. Since the trails can be ridden in either direction, it's wise to announce your presence entering each ravine to alert any oncoming riders.
After you've whooped it up on
Three Ravines, continue on
One Day. Enjoy fast and smooth singletrack with bermed switchbacks. On the eastern end of the trail, you'll pass on old homestead. Just before the intersection with
Gravity Cavity, you'll cross a small creek.
At the intersection, jump on
Stonehouse and enjoy some more fun and flow. This part of the route also winds through some of the most scenic areas of Palos. Along the way, you'll ride across several armored creek crossings and an old CCC shelter.
A series of switchbacks followed by a couple of creek crossings brings you to
Burrito Hill. Stay left here and pedal over to the
Palos Yellow Multitrack (East).
Turn left here and follow this wider, crushed limestone trail west to the intersection with
Bullwhip and
Pipeline. Stay right and finish the Palos tour, retracing your steps back to the Maple Lake East parking area.
Connect with Facebook
Minor Issues
7 Comments