[boot up]

At first I was bummed to be doing a trip to Chicago instead of hiking the Northwest Wilderness for a weekend. But ya know, its really NOT any different. We picked up a CTA pass instead of a car, and did one heck of a lot hiking. Weather ranged from almost going hypothermic on the Architectural history boat tour, to perfect weather, to melting in soggy heat....just like a typical NW Summer hike. But YOU read this trip report and just try to tell me its any different than the typical NorthWest trip report we see so often... Stats: Mileage: Tons Elevation gain: 6 floors, over and over (faster than the elevator) Base camp was a fantastic spot bordering Lincoln park, at the bro-in-law's well established camping site....they call 'em condos there. Can you spot Renee and me in this shiny glacier we found?

Can you find us reflected in the glacier?

Just like here, people are finding faces in their tree stumps. Seemed easier to see what they were seeing there though.

Everyone is always finding a face in stumps....same the world over

Can anyone help identify this Peak?

Can you name that peak over there?

Now THAT is a rock face. I KNEW we shoulda brought the climbing gear, dangit.

Now THAT is a rock face!

Just like here, we passed up Bandera to move on to bigger and better things.

We passed by Bandera, on the way to greater things....just like home

I think the fishing was better there though, although they seem to be encouraging catch and release pretty heavily at this place, for some reason.

Fishing was good too

It was a different hiking crew than I usually roll with, but man they chewed through the miles in deep brush.

hiking group at a rest stop

Got the mandatory fern shots.

Mandatory fern shot

(sounding familiar?) Stumbled across a nice alpine tarn, although the foliage looked a tiny bit different.

Small mountain tarn, just like home

Usual mandatory flower shots....Is this sounding familiar or what?

Mandatory wildflower shot

Flowers on a rock face

More chicago wildflowers

We have wildflowers, they have wildflowers

No adventure and danger, you say? HA! Staring death in the face a few feet away as we rounded a bend in a trail. Bet that tops most of what YOU saw on your wimpy NW hike last weekend?

After seeing this guy move, everyone agreed that meeting one on a non fenced trail would not be a happy experience

The paws are huge, the shoulders are powerful. Movement is swift. Study a mtn lion in the zoo, before you get all "I wish I could see one in person on the trail."

Of course the trails do get crazy there too. Found some sorta poodle variation.

I think its a reincarnated Bass Player. Maybe Chicago's version of a trail poodle?

and punky kids

Monkey with attitude. Their trails have the rowdy types too

And ye gawds, the crowds on the trail! Even conga lines like we get on Snow lake!

Conga line on the trail, Chicago

Their snow bridges seem to be melting out and getting dangerous too.

They have melting snow bridges too

We almost summited the high point, but with visibilities restricted, we decided to bail on that. We coulda done it though! (ever hear THAT?)

Highest peak off in the distance. Chicago sears tower

Highest Summit in Chicago, Sears tower

This was Renee's favorite peak. I thought it was pretty cool too.

Renee's favorite Chicago peak

Spotted some rolling foothills.

The foothills of Chicago, also known as the House of Blues

and I was really impressed by how shiny their glaciers were, although global warming seems to have wiped out all but this one.

Look, yon glacier

And you think WE have waterfalls? I'll be durned if their waterfalls don't go UP! Amazing!

Waterfall, Chicgo style

Spelunking could be done with minimal gear at least.

Spelunking, Chicago style

Some places did remind us of home or other places we have hiked.

A touch of the Northwest in Chicago

A touch of Paris in Chicago

Renee was going to shoot me if I asked anyone "How far to the lake?" although I was sorely tempted to be on the other side of that question for a change. We did eventually find the little thing they call a lake around there.

How far to the lake? Michigan that is....

And you think we have boats here in the Northwest? Piffle....check out the Chicago Yacht club:

Chicago Yacht club

But a wooded trail is beautiful the world over, and I say that in full seriousness.

Deep woods in Chicago

Chicago shadey trail

And water reflections are ALWAYS a thing of beauty.

CAI pond reflection

CAI pond reflection

and we did run into another couple from the Northwest(Portland OR) proving we NorthWesterners do have a universal sense of humor.

New American Gothic

I really did NOT feel like I missed out on anything and it was nice to hit some trails without postholing for a change. Life is good.

[Gabigabs]

Glad you survived the Chicago wilderness. Great report! Lots of fun to read.

[belowfellow]

Spring in the midwest is beautiful! I miss it dearly. Thanks for the Chi shots.

[Mike Collins]

The peak is the Palmolive Bldg. Zeppelins used to moor at the top. It was before my time though.

[the Zachster]

Great report bootup!

[gone]

My old neck o' the woods! Thanks for the quick trip back! Very nice report and pictures!

[Malachai Constant]

Lucky you survived lots O'cougars in that area

[touron]

Glad you were able to get some lake bagging in. That is quite the tarn. I've heard that many of the hikes in this area can be very windy, though you don't mention that as a factor in your report (maybe you were still thinking about the cougars?). Obviously no whitecaps on the tarn. I also had a hiker tell me he had seen 11 bears roaming around on a field there once, one as big as a refridgerator...?

[bleeper]

Chicago? No wonder your avatar changed! Holy Schnike!!!

[Oarboar]

touron, another hiker once told me about seeing nine cubs at once in the northern part of that area.

[Hiker Mama]

Glad you made it back OK!

[raz2sea]

Wow, what an awesome way to look at my hometown, gave me a whole new way to look at Chicago next time I go back to visit

[drakonis]

nice to see more of chi town. went last year for my sons make a wish to meet dale e jr. and didnt get to see much of chi. did go to the aquarium and walk around a bit. ate some thin crust pizza bella botega's and looked at trump tower. spent most of the 5 days at the speedway. nice pics.