Prairie Trail (of McHenry County) Photos
Past  the Airport and into Crystal Lake

Continuing north on the McHenry County Prairie Trail a little ways after the gravel pit conveyor belts you reach this nice flowery field just before the Lake In The Hills Airport. The trail runs right by the airport ahead and along Pyott Road into Crystal Lake.

At one time (many years ago) I took flying lessons at the Lake in the Hills Airport so I am actually pretty familiar with this area from the air too. :-) One of the landmarks that I remember standing out from the air was the huge gravel pit area. Also the runway is very close to Pyott Road and I remember not being all that high as I flew over the traffic in the small Cessna airplane that I soloed in. So don't be too surprised to see low flying aircraft here.

Coming into the street crossing section of Crystal Lake on the Prairie Trail. There are some quite a few roads to cross here, but it is worth it on the other side...

Ahead and on the right is a nice little shady rest and water area. This is along Main Street and just south of Three Oaks Recreation Area Drive in Crystal Lake. Even though this is in town it is a great place for a break and it has a regular water fountain (not a pump) with a lower spicket too. There is also parking in this area if you choose to start your trip here.

The photo above is the Northwest Highway (Route 14) underpass. I always thought that this was a fun underpass since you can get going pretty fast coming down to it and the pathway is wide and smooth.

Heading north you will still need to go through a little more of Crystal Lake and along the railroad tracks for a while before you weave through an industrial area and a residential area before getting back on to the regular (2 lane paved) bike trail.