Des Plaines Singletrack 8 Ball Trails

[DropCeilingInMyKitchen]

Just curious if any of you have ridden the singletrack of the infamous 8 ball trails in Des Plaines?  The map below (circled in red) is the rough area where these trails are.  In addition to 2-3 miles of singletrack they had a nice BMX jumps area and some north shore bridges and obstacles and things.  Could this ever become an official cambr riding destination?  However I don't even know if these trails are still here since I haven't been there in over 5 years.  Anybody know the current status of the 8 ball trails?  Keep up the great work cambr.

[gotfish8]

I have heard about them but have never been there. will have to check it out.

[Principal (Snake) Skinner]

I haven't been there either, but I've heard about the place over the years. Quick but fun... low ground that floods easily in the spring from the river, and becomes an mud pit after a rainstorm... not exactly built with a plan, but those who know it well like that it's there....

Making any trail legal and ridable always gets people's ears perked up around here! Whether this one could become legit... well, that might have more downside than upside. Given it's geography, the land managers would likely not want to keep it where it is - sustainable trails and easily flooding terrain don't go together well. So a land manager review process could result in the trails either being removed, or reworked into a tamer form that doesn't include any hint of North Shore features. Either one would generate a lot of anger and resentment towards CAMBr. And if locals replace what was closed, then some animosity builds up among the land managers.

So, yeah they could be legalized if the locals are willing to accept some standards in trail management (which some or most of the existing trail might fail to meet), champion shepherding the trails thru the review process (with any assistance needed by CAMBr), and cultivate a crew willing to look after the place.

Edit: At present, since this is not a legit trail (read: the county could send the cops after people riding there or developing it further) I have to add that we must respect the county's wishes that we stick to only those trails they have approved for mountain biking use. Looking into legalizing them is cool, but encouraging others to ride there will harm us.

[DropCeilingInMyKitchen]

I have heard about them but have never been there. will have to check it out.

Yeah I don't think you'll be disappointed just go when very dry this area floods way fast.  Also please let us know what you thought of the trails.  However I haven't been there in 5+ years (moved away) so I do not know if these trails have been closed or anything.

[DropCeilingInMyKitchen]

I haven't been there either, but I've heard about the place over the years. Quick but fun... low ground that floods easily in the spring from the river, and becomes an mud pit after a rainstorm... not exactly built with a plan, but those who know it well like that it's there....

Making any trail legal and ridable always gets people's ears perked up around here! Whether this one could become legit... well, that might have more downside than upside. Given it's geography, the land managers would likely not want to keep it where it is - sustainable trails and easily flooding terrain don't go together well. So a land manager review process could result in the trails either being removed, or reworked into a tamer form that doesn't include any hint of North Shore features. Either one would generate a lot of anger and resentment towards CAMBr. And if locals replace what was closed, then some animosity builds up among the land managers.

So, yeah they could be legalized if the locals are willing to accept some standards in trail management (which some or most of the existing trail might fail to meet), champion shepherding the trails thru the review process (with any assistance needed by CAMBr), and cultivate a crew willing to look after the place.

Good call.

[mikeo]

Is this it?

[IllinoisRider]

No.  That's something else.

[DropCeilingInMyKitchen]

hmmm, those look very cool but I don't know if that's exactly the same place I circled in red, could be though, I haven't been there in years.  But I hear the planes so it's probably Des "Planes".  

[ilikebmx999]

i grew up riding those trails and yes some do still exist though they become quite messy with just a little bit of rain. I'm not sure its worth driving a far distance to them though because you can ride all the available trails in less then 15 minutes.

its certainly not worth cambr's time plus they'd always be fighting with the bums that call those woods home

[ErvSpanks]

These are not the trails you are looking for.

[mikeo]

Those trails are in excellent condition, although I didn't see any jumps. A big thank you to whoever is maintaining them, they are great "hiking" trails with some berms and lots of logover and log ride type "hiking" features.   

[fat-tyr]

CAMBr has been to that area about 5/6 years ago. The main problem is its too low, plus now the FPD is going to build some bike/horse trail in that area. Looking down the road CAMBr is only going to be able to build and maintain so many riding areas. We will have to choose the best topography/size/area and workable land mangers as more become available. This is a good problem to have, but people need to understand we wont be in every neighborhood. Bike technology has evolved, trail building has evolved, now the mountain bikers brain must evolve. If you ride it, YOU have to help take care of it.

[adhd-tv]

I just went out there this morning and everything is GONE so really, nothing to see at all much less worth mentioning here.

[fat-tyr]

I wasn't aware it was illegal as I've run into many hikers back there and people for the FP doing tree work and research and no one has said anything to me about not being there.

[mikeo]

Yeah, I was talking about hiking (trail running) there and the mini bridges help keep your shoes from getting too muddy in areas that never dry out. I have seen similar small bridges on hiking trails in other CCFPD areas, although I have no idea who builds them.