Birding, Hiking and Nature Zen Inside Blue Star Memorial Woods in Glenview, IL
A wealth of preserves hug the North Branch Chicago River and we have delighted in exploring them. A free afternoon this week afforded us a lovely chunk of time to hike the trails of Blue Star Memorial Woods along the meandering North Branch Chicago River.
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Natural trails spindle off of the main gravel trail inside Blue Star Memorial Woods. |
In all honestly, we pass the Glenview forest preserve quite often and I am not sure why we have not stopped. We quickly learned that we had been missing out on quite a magnificent preserve.
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North Branch Chicago River meanders gently through Blue Star Memorial Woods. |
Tracing the North Branch Chicago River
We began our hike on a section of the paved North Branch Trail which is popular with bikers. Soon, we angled towards a gravel walking trail. While walking along the trail, we noted natural trails spindling off towards the river. We ambled towards a trail along the river on a natural path, dodging muddy patches. Tracing the river yielded a tranquil experience with plenty of flora and fauna to enjoy.
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A trout lily emerges from the forest floor at Blue Star Memorial Woods. |
Woodlands Full of Spring Wildflowers
Currently, wildflowers of many shapes and sizes dot the woodland floor. Throughout spring, the forest becomes a canvas of wildflowers ever-changing in a progression throughout the season. Every year, I seem to learn the name of another wildflower. I love to study them, to slow down and take in nature.
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A deer glances through tree branches at Blue Star Memorial Woods. |
The preserve has a pretty interesting history as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp as well as a WWII prisoner of war camp. The CCC camped at the location while working on nearby Skokie Lagoons. An MP battalion was also stationed at the site during WWII.
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North Branch Trail connects a number of preserves along the North Branch Chicago River. |
Today, Blue Star Memorial Woods enchants with picturesque woodlands. The flat trails winding through Blue Star Memorial Woods makes the preserve very accessible. Additionally, the river views add a pleasant, tranquil element. We envision future visits to the Blue Star Memorial Woods enjoying it in all seasons.
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