Mettawa, IL–Miles of hiking and cross-country ski trails converge at Captain Daniel Wright Woods Forest Preserve and Half Day Forest Preserve. When the snow falls heavily, as it has here the last few weeks, it’s a veritable bounty of skiable trails. Perfect for snow hiking or snowshoeing, too. With blue skies and temps in the 30s, it was just too good to pass up for a romantic Valentine’s Day hike. We saw some folks out skiing and hiking with their dogs, and as long as the dogs are leashed, it’s legal. And fun.
Near the bridge that spans the Des Plaines River, the water level has risen and fallen as much as the temperatures, creating amazing ice “tables” around trees. Bushwacking among these natural ice sculptures ranks right up there with a stroll through an art museum, I think.
At the end of the sculpture trail, a bevy of robins chatter in a tree covered with berries. Nearby, a couple of woodpeckers are determinedly pounding into a tree. Makes you think spring is almost here. More snow is predicted today. I think I know where I’m going to be later.
