![]() ![]() The small parking lot is very convenient and many non-residents consistently park there including myself. Normally the lots are for everyone, but during Covid they are encouraging more local residents. ![]() Most parking is currently for DuPage residents only but there is a small parking lot that is available if you are a non-resident and public street parking. It was a magical moment and that was caught on video. During my last visit, as I rode past one of the open marshes, two blue herons playfully took flight over the water. I have done this trail about ten times in the past year and there has always been something different to see. You’ll see revived marshland, savannah, ponds, waterfalls, open prairies, and both oak and red pine forests. The trail is part of the DuPage Forest Preserve and there are many different ecosystems that you’ll pass if you do the full loop. Personally, I wear a helmet, ski goggles, and a ski bandana/mask to be extra safe. Please be mindful of the current Illinois state guidelines for mask usage. Of course, you can always head out for as long as you want and then just turn around if you don’t want to do the full loop. Riding at medium speed, it’ll take you around an hour to complete the loop without stopping. This will obviously range from season to season but if you plan on going the full loop and biking, you’ll want to give yourself enough time to get done with your ride. LATE IN THE DAY or a couple hours before closing which is an hour before sunset.You may run into other adults walking, hiking, running, or biking but they’re generally solo getting in a workout. You’ll avoid families with kids and groups of teenagers that like to stroll the paths during the day. REALLY EARLY or an hour after sunrise will give you a head start on the trail.Weekends draw the most visitors with mid-day during the week reigning in a close second. The limestone paths are 8’ wide and easy enough to maintain a 6’ distance, even if it means stepping off of the path by a foot at some spots. Actually, two more water stations would make it ideal.Waterfall Glen is a popular, gorgeous 9.5 mile loop adjacent to Argonne National Laboratory in Darien, IL. I carry my water at this race but prefer not to do so. For us slower runners, 2.5 miles between water stations is just too long on a hot summer day. My only complaint is there needs to be at least one more water station on the course. even if it means ruining the fun of running. Some of those CARA circuit runners are animals and it is all about the win. The trail wasn't crowded and there was a nice friendly vibe. This year, the race was not one of the CARA circuit races so the crowd was smaller than in 2015. The end of the run is particularly hard as it runs through some fairly deep grass with ruts. It is the one thing about this race that I really don't like. The first quarter mile of the race and the last half mile of the race is run on grass. Not big hills for those who live in hill country, mountains for us flatlanders. The Waterfall Glen Trail is all crushed limestone which is easy to run on and there are a number of hills, including the infamous Big Bertha which climbs 125' in half a mile. We lucked out this year with glorious weather. This race is in July folks and it can be brutal. The weather was perfect this year with cool morning temperatures and a mostly clear sky. If you wait until the last minute, this race will cost $85. That's $45 for 10 miles, a really nice race shirt, and good beer after the race. I signed up for the race last December at a deeply discounted price of $45. This was my 2nd year running the Waterfall Xtreme 10 race and I will definitely run it next year too. ![]()
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