Adventure Day V
The I&M Canal

See the canal that enabled Chicago's rise and made it the Metropolis of the Midwest!

Meet a 19th century canal tender!

Meet the fur trader turned Father of Chicago: Gurden Hubbard

Who: Webelos, Boy Scouts, & Venturers (Webelos Scouts must be accompanied by an adult)
Price: $5.50 per scout or adult. Includes event patch (Additional $5 for the Chief Shabbona Trail Award - will be collected at the end of the trail)

Hiking Options: 

-6 mile hike along the Illinois and Michigan Canal Trail from Lock 6 at Channahon State Park to the Dresden Access, featuring interpreters explaining the historical significance of the canal and sites along the trail.
-14 mile hike—Continue on to William G. Stratton State Park in Morris, and visit the Chief Shabbona grave site to earn the BSA historic trail: Chief Shabbona Trail Award!

Schedule:
-From 8:30am-9:30am: The hike and interpretation begin at Channahon State Park (Canal Mile 45). Shuttle cars to Dresden, Aux Sable, or Morris.
-Approximately 12:30: The 6 mile hike ends at the I&M Trail Dresden Access parking lot (Mile 50.5) at the intersection of McLinden, Cemetary and Hansel Rds. Shuttle 6 Mile hikers 2.4 miles to Aux Sable (Mile 53). Shabbona Trail hikers continue on.
-From 12:30-1:30pm: Lunch break and more program at Aux Sable Aqueduct, Lock and Locktender’s House (Mile 53)
-1:30pm: Shabbona Trail hikers resume. Shuttle Shabbona Trail cars to Morris if needed
-At Armstrong Rd. (Mile 57.3): Shabbona trail hikers must take a side trip to Evergreen cemetery to see Chief Shabbona’s Grave.
-4:30pm-5:30pm: Shabbona Trail Hike ends at William G. Stratton Park (Mile 58.4)

Camping options: Camping is possible at Channahon State Park or Gebhard Woods State Park in Morris, either Friday or Saturday nights. No prior reservations—first come, first served. There is a $2.00/person/night fee for camping. Both sites can be subject to flooding. For more information on both sites, call IDNR at Gebhard Woods SP: (815) 942-0796.

Bring sack lunches, snacks, water bottles, Sunscreen, appropriate shoes, extra socks