Prairie Trail (of McHenry County) Photos
Crystal Lake to Sterne's Woods

This is the part of the Prairie Trail that runs alongside the railroad tracks in Crystal Lake after going under Northwest Highway and before the busy intersection crossings at Crystal Lake Avenue. This part of the "trail" is not that great but keep going...it's worth it on the other side...

Probably the worst (most congested) intersection and crossing here at Main St. and Crystal Lake Ave. The bike route (for the Prairie Trail) is marked here but it is possible to lose track of the route if you miss one of the signs (this happened to us at least one time).

The photo above is looking across Main Street towards the railroad tracks. Stay on the sidewalk here and go to the left just over the second set of tracks. You will want to look out for the bike trail signs (as well as looking out for traffic in this area).

This is where you ride on the side streets through a small industrial area and then a residential area. You actually cross route 176 on the neighborhood side streets just before the parking lot and entrance back on the the regular Prairie Trail again.

To the left is the parking lot and trail entrance after you've gone through the industrial and residential areas. The Sterne's Woods part of the trail starts here. Don't miss this part!!!

The photo above shows the start of the Sterne's Woods part of the Prairie Trail north of Crystal Lake. These are some major hills here. We have often referred to this part of the trail as "hill hell". Actually the hell part of it is really just going up the steep hills. Going down can be a lot of fun although it can also be dangerous.

I have taken this ride with my kids when they were young (all the way from Dundee, Il. to Genoa City, Wis.) and I was always nervous in this section since you really get going fast on the downhill parts and even though I would emphasize the safety issues and not to get going too fast, once they were out of my sight I just did not know how fast they were going.

I also remember coming up some of these hills (like the one in the photo above) and not being able to make it to the top even in the lowest gear that my bike had. At some point it was just so much work pedaling up the hill that it was just a lot easier to walk my bike. I have seen other riders make it up these hills though so I know there are people in better shape than me.