9-23-12 8.3 mile hike Deer Run and McKiski Forest Preserves

It was a great day for a hike so Wilma and I went to Deer Run FP. About 59F and with a nice breeze. I expected to see a lot of horse people on the trails but just met one hiker and he was in McKiski of all places. Have to be a pretty serious hiker to just get there. It is about two and a half miles on foot just to get to the McKiski trail head that is not even shown on any of the FPD maps. Wilma got to go in a number of creeks, mud puddles, ponds, and the rivers several times. We explored a few side trails that were kind of interesting.

This is the route we took. 8.3 miles according to Base Camp. I can believe it. I was dogging it at the end. I think Wilma could have gone another 8 miles.

This is the park map for Deer Run. It does not show the canoe launch, or the first river crossing into Oak Ridge FP. It also shows a well that has been removed. Does not show the trail head into McKiski.

This is the park map for McKiski. It does not show there is even a trail inside the preserve.

I saw three great blue herons in the park, but was not able to get pictures or video.