outdoor crawl spots

[Jetboat]

with spring on its way (hopefully soon) I am starting to think about getting out of REAL rock. The problem I am having is knowing where the real rock is. Looking at the state park database I have found 4 likely canidates...

Mazonie-Braidwood, they allow fossil collecting and excavation and is a former strip mine

Channahon State Park, pictures online look promising, right along the I&M

Buffalo Rock state Park, Pictures look like it has some nice features, its kind of a drive and we would have to check with the rangers for sure

Illini State Park Marseilles, a bit of a drive but, its right on the Illinios Falls on the river so I would think there should be some natural rock and it doesnt look like a busy park.


If anyone has already checked these places, wants to volunteer, or knows of some others... Post up. I think its important to make sure @ parks that we arent going to get a fine for crawling and we need to make sure if its private property that we have permission. Whats nice about most of the state parks is that they are usually ok with crawling and we dont need a permit for groups under 25. Dont even bother checking Starved Rock, I would love to crawl out there but if you even step 1 foot of the trails they will fine you.

[Jeep_Guy]

I am curious about the PALOS HILLS area. I know that there are a lot of mountain bike trails...and rock areas. Anybody try that area??

[BJoe]

There's a couple places I want to check around here in West Chicago today while I'm out working on a "project" this afternoon.

[BJoe]

I almost forgot, there's a indoor soccer place in Carol Stream that is looking to do some indoor electric "racing" (really sounds like they're going to be more about the bashers out there!) in the off season and maybe even a little outdoor nitro, they may be worth looking at for a outdoor and indoor crawler stuff!

[MX_KEVIN]

Im right down the street from that place. Howd you get that info? That would be great if I could walk to my RC spot.

Thats on North and President St. and I believe thats Glendale Heights unless South side of North Ave. is Carol Stream

[motoxer4life]

Why not just drive around and find some rocks on the side of the road? Theyre everywhere out here.

[Ponch]

I got some pics and locations (2)

First is at Ridge and 52.
Pit of rocks (assumably man made) not sure if it's city's property or personal land.


Second is at Bicentennial Park, by Harrahs casino in Joliet, other side of the river. HUGE. And should be ok to use, I've bashed the sh!t out of my buggy there before without problems. Only thing is, you have to travel in packs or you'll get shot. Not the greatest neighborhood.

[Ponch]

Pics. First is bicentennial park, second is the ridge and 52 spot.

[Jetboat]

bicentennial park looks like fun...not a comp location but fun for a couple people to go crawl.... Not real found of riprap crawling

[firesprink281]

Illini park does get busy. Marseilles is a big stop for bikers (thanks to stone head), and the park is a hang out. nothing bad. every one is very nice. i bet you'll gather a crowd.

[BJoe]

Both of those sites look like fun Ponch. Good suggestion on traveling in packs at the park though, Dad used to work out that way and was told when he first started working in there to not stay on the property after dark!

Not much luck on the search around West Chicago, there wasn't even much for rip rap let along for actual rock.

[bubbaracing]

The park in Channahon has some rock, has quite a but under the bridge where Canal St goes over the I&M there? I'll go down to the Mazonia/Braidwood one day maybe next weekend to check it out! I found a small creek west of Coal City that looks good and it leads into the back side of the Boy Scout camp and I know there's rock in there along another good sized creek/river! Also there's my spot to if we can figure out how to get down under the bridge a little easier? I'll get some pics of the creeks I seen and post them soon. The one set of rocks Ponch posted along RT52 is owned by some crazy people that I used to work for, if needed I could try to talk to them about parking on their land so we can crawl?
Jeff there has to be something by you along the Kankakee River eh?
Later!
Matt

[Jetboat]

Kankakee river and me....your closer to it than I am... I do think there is prolly a couple good spots along there but, thats a long drive for me to go check it out without knowing.

[bubbaracing]

Wrong Jeff, (addictedtoNITRO) is Jeff also, he lives down here by me and about a block from the Kankakee River!

[Jetboat]

Wrong Jeff, (addictedtoNITRO) is Jeff also, he lives down here by me and about a block from the Kankakee River!

I wondered....but, since he hadnt replied to this thread I figured you had to mean me

[AddictedtoNITRO]

sorry lol I'm not really sure. at the park there isn't much. I'll check the other side if it's open yet. Park is still closed due to damage and stuff from the floods.

[Jetboat]

Not sure about a comp but definatly some good crawling and bashing... The park in Lockport, actually the best isnt "in" the park its over by the RR on the walking trail... Allot of the rocks are covered in moss and would help if we took a couple garden rakes with us but, I cant see anyone objecting to us cleaning things up.




More Here:
jshirley78/lockport - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

[Ponch]

At least your tires are all in the right direction today :p:



But how come the RR doesn't look attached to the car at ALL?

[AddictedtoNITRO]

is that dellwood? Looks kinda like it

[Jetboat]

yeah thats Dellwood (couldnt remember when I posted) The right rear was still attached at the time of the photo...10 mins later it was all flopped to the side from a 10' fall onto a boulder (broken knuckle)

[bubbaracing]

I was gonna say it looks like dellwood too! That might work too!

[BJoe]

I hate to say this Jeff, but anything within 50-100 feet of a railroad track is tresspassing and can be pretty dangerous if there were a derailment or track gang working in that area (or a street gang hanging out in that area if it's near Joliet.) Dad has actually had on duty police officers arrested for tresspassing after coming onto railroad propert to harrass him and his work crews, by the next higher police agency (if it's a community, he'd call county or state), it's even a fireable offense for a rail road employee to be on a right of way if they're not supposed to be working there that day.

[AddictedtoNITRO]

I hate to say this Jeff, but anything within 50-100 feet of a railroad track is tresspassing and can be pretty dangerous if there were a derailment or track gang working in that area (or a street gang hanging out in that area if it's near Joliet.) Dad has actually had on duty police officers arrested for tresspassing after coming onto railroad propert to harrass him and his work crews, by the next higher police agency (if it's a community, he'd call county or state), it's even a fireable offense for a rail road employee to be on a right of way if they're not supposed to be working there that day.

just curious how parks can put paths under them or next to them? Definatly not being an ass, I'm just curious so I don't ever get in trouble. If there is a certain feet you have to stay off path or what.
Thanks

[BJoe]

Alot of the paths are old right-of-ways that have been abandoned by rail roads and converted to walking paths for public use. This way the right of ways aren't lost to development and can be put back into service if needed at a later date. Try to stay on the paths if you can, even if you're not near tracks though since there are some home owners who don't like the fact that there is an access road right into their back yards, plus some of those right of ways are bordered by enviromentally protected grounds.

[BJoe]

Forgot to mention this earlier, I've been in Branson, MO for the past few days and should have taken the WK instead of my Mini-T! It's been almost 2 decades since I was there last and I completely forgot the number of mountains in the area. You couldn't go a mile without finding things to climb on there!