52 Hike Challenge – Hike 13 – Greene Valley Forest Preserve

Hike 13 of my 52 hikes was another DuPage County Forest Preserve, this time at Greene Valley Oak Spur trail (1.7 miles out and back). It was especially important for me to get out for this hike on Saturday, May 14th because it was Hike Like a Girl weekend!

Tall trees across a clearing

Greene Valley Oak Spur Trail

Big, old oaks

Spring green!

Unfortunately the weather for this hike was a mess. It was overcast, very windy and the wind chill was 31! I had packed for 70 degree weather (I was just visiting the area), so I put on a bunch of layers, made a makeshift hat and hiked at a brisk pace. I didn’t see much wildlife on this hike, I think due to the weather, although I did see quite a few birds. I was once again surprised by the very rich variety of birds in this park.

Hard to see but I think this may have been a goldfinch

Red winged black bird up in a tree

A pair of birds

Playing hide and seek with this camouflaged bird

This trail is extremely close to roads, so there is a ton of traffic noise. This was pretty disappointing and it never got much quieter throughout the hike. I like quiet/nature noise when I hike, but the close proximity to roads/homes on this trail may be comforting to new hikers or those who worry about getting lost in the woods. However, the trail is very clearly marked with yellow blazes, and is a wide gravel covered path that’s hard to miss. The path weaves through open spaces and woods and is very pretty this time of year with wildflowers and flowering bushes full of blooms, and trees very lush and spring green.

Bush full of blooms

This symmetrical tree reminded me of a maple leaf. Looks like maybe deer have worn away bottom branches.

Pretty purple flowers

Tiny white wildflowers

Flowering bush

After my hike I drove to the Scenic Overlook, a point on top of a retired landfill at an elevation of 880′. From this Overlook Point you can see DuPage County and the Chicago skyline far in the distance. I learned that methane given off by the landfill is used to power homes around the landfill. Cool!

Scenic Overlook as seen from the trail

Views of DuPage County

My “hat” did a pretty good job keeping me warm. It was so windy I couldn’t keep my left eye open! Chicago skyline far in the distance. I obviously need to work on my selfie game – how do people look so natural in them?!

Views of DuPage County

Chicago skyline clearly visible even on a crummy day

Frankly, after a cold flat hike in gross weather I was happy to head home (with my favorite Chicagoland food – Portillo’s), but I was happy I got out and got moving, especially for Hike Like a Girl Weekend! Greene Valley has many more trails that I would love to try out, so I suspect this will be a repeat for me when I’m back in the area.