{"id":10891,"date":"2021-03-23T17:44:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-23T21:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/v2.mappyhour.org\/blog\/?p=10891"},"modified":"2021-04-22T20:42:10","modified_gmt":"2021-04-23T00:42:10","slug":"watch-chicago-transit-hikes-with-lindsay-welbers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/2021\/03\/watch-chicago-transit-hikes-with-lindsay-welbers\/","title":{"rendered":"Watch: Chicago Transit Hikes with Lindsay Welbers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image eplus-Te117N\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1-300x240.png\" alt=\"The North Face Logo\" class=\"wp-image-4185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1-300x240.png 300w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1-400x320.png 400w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1-768x614.png 768w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1-1024x819.png 1024w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1-800x640.png 800w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1-1200x960.png 1200w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1-1400x1120.png 1400w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/TNFxMH-Logos_v1.png 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-93hlgR wp-block-paragraph\">Lindsay Welbers joined <a href=\"https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/chapters\/chicago\">Mappy Hour Chicago<\/a> to talk about hiking by transit in and around Chicago. Along with being the writer behind the blog <a href=\"https:\/\/thirdcoasthikes.com\/\">Third Coast Hikes<\/a>, she is the author of <a href=\"https:\/\/beltpublishing.com\/products\/chicago-transit-hikes\">Chicago Transit Hikes: A guide to getting out in nature without a car.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-12nMjE wp-block-paragraph\">Lindsay began exploring nature via transit in earnest when she moved to Chicago\u2019s Jefferson Park neighborhood. She wanted to explore the new green spaces around her and began by walking to the blue line to see where she could go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-MmPHka wp-block-paragraph\">The explorations didn\u2019t end there, she kept adventuring off every train line, hiking all seasons including winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-AiJank wp-block-paragraph\">Her book shares her findings and while it includes about thirty hikes in thirty different locations, Lindsay notes that if she\u2019d had room, she could have included many more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-SBKtht wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;\u201cChicagoland has the most gorgeous\u2026 diverse landscape. We&#8217;ve got prairie, savannas, meadows, bluffs, marines, dunes, swamps, wetlands, rivers, and lakes. So, if somebody has told you that these things are boring or too flat to be interesting, leave that notion at home and you come with an open mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"eplus-mzyBw3 wp-block-heading\"><strong>Preparation: Lindsay\u2019s Recommendations<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"eplus-1X0eVh wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"eplus-icon\">Packing List<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large eplus-I5b4fQ\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/What-to-Bring-Transit-Hiking-1024x575.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10894\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/What-to-Bring-Transit-Hiking-1024x575.png 1024w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/What-to-Bring-Transit-Hiking-400x225.png 400w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/What-to-Bring-Transit-Hiking-300x168.png 300w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/What-to-Bring-Transit-Hiking-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/What-to-Bring-Transit-Hiking-696x391.png 696w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/What-to-Bring-Transit-Hiking-1068x600.png 1068w, https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/What-to-Bring-Transit-Hiking.png 1293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"eplus-BYtH2b wp-block-heading\">The Best Apps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-o8BC4n wp-block-list\"><li>Google Maps (know where you are!)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ventrachicago.com\/\">Ventra App<\/a> (for connecting with Chicago\u2019s transit system)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.inaturalist.org\/pages\/seek_app\">Seek<\/a> (identify plants and animals you find on the trail)<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lcfpd.org\/maps\/\">Lake County Forest Preserves<\/a> (help navigate Lake County specific parks)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"eplus-ngsZTU wp-block-heading\"><strong>Transit 101<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-KCUcRW wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/metrarail.com\/\">The Metra<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-Mz6I4l wp-block-list\"><li>The easiest way to use Metro is to buy tickets using the app<\/li><li>Signage isn\u2019t great, be prepared with Google Maps<\/li><li>Can\u2019t find the track? Don\u2019t be afraid to ask!<\/li><li>Be quiet if you\u2019re in the quiet car<\/li><li>Sometimes trains come a little early \u2013 be prepared<\/li><li>Alcohol is allowed (but remember to behave yourself)<\/li><li>Bikes* and scooters are allowed<ul><li>*Your bike is technically using the ADA space, so if someone who needs that space boards, you will need to move.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Remember to bring a bungee cord to secure your bike to the train<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>You can bring a cat or dog if it can fit into a carrier under the seat or on your lap<\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-2PSido wp-block-paragraph\"><em><u><a href=\"https:\/\/www.transitchicago.com\/\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">The CTA<\/span><\/a><\/u><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-iolgIq wp-block-list\"><li>Better signage than the Metra<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-fRa6YB wp-block-paragraph\">You can bring bike and scooter (not during rush hour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-y5su3N wp-block-list\"><li>Same rules as the Metra for bringing a pet<\/li><li>You can\u2019t smoke, eat or drink on CTA<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-GsmeKK wp-block-paragraph\"><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mysouthshoreline.com\/\">South Shore Line<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"eplus-ZSLzBB wp-block-list\"><li>Use it to get to Indiana Dunes<\/li><li>Departs from Millennium Station<\/li><li>Has Wifi<\/li><li>\u201cFussy\u201d about bringing your bike (aka there are a lot of rules)<\/li><li>&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"eplus-4F8NNy wp-block-heading\">Recommendations for Exploration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-T2v830 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>#1 &nbsp;Labagh Woods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-3EYfiv wp-block-paragraph\">Lindsay recommends heading to <a href=\"https:\/\/fpdcc.com\/places\/locations\/labagh-woods\/\">Labagh Woods<\/a> off of the Glen Metro stop for an adventure completely within the city limits. From winding paved trails to footpaths you can expect flowers in the spring and abundant wildlife including deer, mink and birds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-yTOv9w wp-block-paragraph\">Lindsay\u2019s Tip: Bring your bike and take the North Branch trail up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ravinia.org\/\">Ravinia<\/a>. There you some wine and music before taking the Metra back (no biking drunk!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-mMISDM wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>#2 Thatcher Woods<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-9Yi5vw wp-block-paragraph\">For the birders among us, <a href=\"https:\/\/fpdcc.com\/places\/locations\/thatcher-woods\/\">Thatcher Woods<\/a> off River Forest Metro South is Lindsay\u2019s recommendation. &nbsp;Bird life is abundant especially because the area floods so plan accordingly and look out for kingfishers! Thatcher is also notable for over 250 species of wildlife and beautiful massive river bluffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-CbfzpT wp-block-paragraph\">Lindsay\u2019s tip: If you want to see raptors up close, check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/fpdcc.com\/places\/locations\/trailside-museum-natural-history\/\">Tyrrell Trailside<\/a> museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-4u1r51 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>#3 Veteran\u2019s Acres and Sterne\u2019s Woods &amp; Fen<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-oAMbHa wp-block-paragraph\">Just a \u00bd mile from Crystal Lake Metro, are Lindsay\u2019s all-time favorite spots: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crystallakeparks.org\/veteran-acres\">Veteran\u2019s Acres<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crystallakeparks.org\/interactive-map\/sternes-woods-and-fen\">Sterne\u2019s Woods &amp; Fen<\/a>. Here you\u2019ll find two main bodies of water; a beautiful pond and a fen, which is kind of like an alkaline bog. The presence of the fen enables different types of plants to grow including the native Illinois Orchid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-TCHRly wp-block-paragraph\">Lindsay\u2019s Tip: though the park staff won\u2019t tell you where to find the orchids, she recommends going in the spring time or summer and look alongside the trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-No9CC4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>#4&nbsp; Fort Sheriden Nature Preserve<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-TwlX6Y wp-block-paragraph\">Head to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lcfpd.org\/fort-sheridan\/\">Fort Sheriden<\/a> for everything from prairies to 70 foot bluffs. Along with the natural beauty, there are myriad outdoor sculptures to discover as you hike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-m9pDQm wp-block-paragraph\">Lindsay\u2019s tip: Be prepared for wind (the preserve is on the lake)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-sWMxnq wp-block-paragraph\">You can find even more recommendations on where to hike by public transit in Lindsay&#8217;s book: <a href=\"https:\/\/beltpublishing.com\/products\/chicago-transit-hikes\">Chicago Transit Hikes: A guide to getting out in nature without a car.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-mQYDOn wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Shoutout to our partners for this event:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-IZugtr wp-block-paragraph\">Our National Sponsor, <a href=\"http:\/\/thenorthface.com\">The North Face<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.totago.co\/\">TOTAGO<\/a> (Turn Off The App and Go Outside): an outdoor trip planning app that helps you find trails in your city!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-xOgX6n wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"eplus-6J9tGa wp-block-heading\">Bonus Video:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"eplus-dCgeBe wp-block-paragraph\">Last summer, we interviewed&nbsp;Artt Mathews, Operations Manager at our Department of Conservation &amp; Experiential Programming at the Cook County Forest Preserves about where to go, eco-systems and more:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube eplus-FdtxfD wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"youtube-embed\" data-video_id=\"EKsJNymueAE\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Backyard Adventures: Exploring Chicago\u2019s Forest Preserve Ecosystems\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/EKsJNymueAE?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Lindsay Welbers joined Mappy Hour Chicago to talk about hiking by transit in and around Chicago. Along with being the writer behind the blog Third Coast Hikes, she is the author of Chicago Transit Hikes: A guide to getting out in nature without a car. Lindsay began exploring nature via transit in earnest when she [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10896,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[280],"tags":[231,889,40],"yst_prominent_words":[],"class_list":["post-10891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-video","has-post-thumbnail","category-explore-more","tag-chicago","tag-lindsay-welbers","tag-the-north-face","post_format-post-format-video"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v14.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow\" \/>\n<meta name=\"googlebot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta name=\"bingbot\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mappyhour.org\/blog\/2021\/03\/watch-chicago-transit-hikes-with-lindsay-welbers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Watch: Chicago Transit Hikes with Lindsay Welbers - Mappy Hour Archive\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Lindsay Welbers joined Mappy Hour Chicago to talk about hiking by transit in and around Chicago. Along with being the writer behind the blog Third Coast Hikes, she is the author of Chicago Transit Hikes: A guide to getting out in nature without a car. 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