As someone who rode Illinois a lot I will say the trails further NE are decent, my close to home ride was from Woodstock to twin Lakes over back through Spring Grove and back to Woodstock, It is always dependent of snow and timing get out early and they are great a day of traffic and they are brutal. Back 15 years ago there were a lot more trails but development forced many to close. I did take few trips out to the tri-county system west and SW of Rockford, there was never anyone on the trails and they were marked very well some were even groomed. In my opinion it is not worth the drive from the twin cities but there is some decent riding in the state.
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Illinois Trails Advice needed
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- Start date
sean34590577
New member
Well I rode last Sunday and didn't feel a thing. We had 9 inches of wet heavy snow just south of Rockford and if it wasn't for the respect for shotgun season I would of been able to put a 100 miles on!! I love how everyone is so cool and knows everything about where to ride!!!! I've rode from my house to cable before. Last year on New years I drove to bfe in Iowa to ride cause they had snow. You get a new sled you want to ride it! If you come this way this weekend I'll show you around. Trails don't open tech till the 15. BTW area south of Rockford has a ton of great trails,well marked,groomed,plenty of places to stop,and stay. Plus the people are friendly and like your business. Say what you want about up north. I love it,but for what you pay i'm sick of hearing about broken down groomers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lincolnwood
Member
So how long did it take, from N. Ill. to Cable? I've always thought that would be cool to ride up rather than trailer.Well I rode last Sunday and didn't feel a thing. We had 9 inches of wet heavy snow just south of Rockford and if it wasn't for the respect for shotgun season I would of been able to put a 100 miles on!! I love how everyone is so cool and knows everything about where to ride!!!! I've rode from my house to cable before. Last year on New years I drove to bfe in Iowa to ride cause they had snow. You get a new sled you want to ride it! If you come this way this weekend I'll show you around. Trails don't open tech till the 15. BTW area south of Rockford has a ton of great trails,well marked,groomed,plenty of places to stop,and stay. Plus the people are friendly and like your business. Say what you want about up north. I love it,but for what you pay i'm sick of hearing about broken down groomers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Went out from the house in Stillman Valley and rode 20 miles or so. Trails were in nice shape due to few riders out. Suppose to get colder during the week with more snow. Its great not having to trailer out of state to ride. Wife and I are going tomorrow for a quick run.
MAK
MAK
The clubs do a excellent job with the trail systems in Northern Illinois. But the DNR here is horrible and I mean horrible. If you come here to ride make sure you have all of your information available. The DNR had a road crossing blocked with a line of sleds waiting to get through. It toke 30 minutes to get through(kids not happy). This happened two years in a row. We now just trailer to the Wisconsin boarder. It really to sad because the clubs do a great job.
Some of the clubs have gone out and packed down the trails with groomers. So if we get the snow they are calling for Friday area trails will be in great shape. I'm talking trails west of interstate 39 and north of interstate 88. We have just as much fun riding in NW IL as WI and UP. Lots of Restaurants and bars along the trails most have trail maps also.
Trails in northwest Illinois are some of the nicest you will ride anywhere--when there is ample snow. Right now, conditions are thin but these trails will only need about 2-4" from Friday night's system and they will be excellent all weekend.
As far as the DNR go, enzo23 is not exaggerating. I know many of you think the DNR is the same and bad all over. No. In NW IL the DNR are the worst. I have been stopped by the same DNR officer two times within minutes of each other not once, but TWICE!!! The first incident happened 15-20 years ago. Got stopped going through town. Takes him 15 minutes to go through all of my paperwork, check my #'s, stickers, driver's license, etc. I ride down the alley, get gas, stop for a burger, and go right back down the alley. He stops me again and asks me for all of my info. Thinking he is mistaken, I explain that I am the guy he just checked out less than an hour ago. He pauses, and asks me for the info again like I didn't even speak. Arrogant @$#%sucker! Then, almost the same exact thing happens about 5 years ago!! They are just ridiculous!! No joke!
As far as the DNR go, enzo23 is not exaggerating. I know many of you think the DNR is the same and bad all over. No. In NW IL the DNR are the worst. I have been stopped by the same DNR officer two times within minutes of each other not once, but TWICE!!! The first incident happened 15-20 years ago. Got stopped going through town. Takes him 15 minutes to go through all of my paperwork, check my #'s, stickers, driver's license, etc. I ride down the alley, get gas, stop for a burger, and go right back down the alley. He stops me again and asks me for all of my info. Thinking he is mistaken, I explain that I am the guy he just checked out less than an hour ago. He pauses, and asks me for the info again like I didn't even speak. Arrogant @$#%sucker! Then, almost the same exact thing happens about 5 years ago!! They are just ridiculous!! No joke!
Same thing in McHenry Co. Stopped one time in Johnsburg, went through the process and 20 minutes later I cross a road in the middle of nowhere and this idiot is standing out there, no truck (must have dropped him off) asking me for the same info. I said I just talked to you a few minutes ago. Another time near Ringwood/Richmond three times in thirty minutes. You need to have your paperwork or be ready for some fun!
1flatlander2
Member
Same thing in McHenry Co. Stopped one time in Johnsburg, went through the process and 20 minutes later I cross a road in the middle of nowhere and this idiot is standing out there, no truck (must have dropped him off) asking me for the same info. I said I just talked to you a few minutes ago. Another time near Ringwood/Richmond three times in thirty minutes. You need to have your paperwork or be ready for some fun!
+1 on the chain i got pulled over 6 times in one day 4 times on the upper lakes and then 2 times by the dam down and back
POLARISDAN
New member
another reason i dont live in ill anymore..and sure as heck wouldnt trailer there...how bout them cubbies!!!!
heitz66 i would check out the website tcsnowmobile.com like bankers hours said,then you can link to the iasc,find a club member phone number give a call,check out some of the bar,business on trails,sometimes they have a big parking lot and will let you park,just ask first.i did park once in pecatonica at the fairgrounds and up the road by the mobil on hwy.20 in winnebago.but definately try to find trail map and check out a place,good luck happy trails!!!
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ha,worried about dnr,police,if you're not doing anything illegal than have nothing to worry about.but yea their are the ones that hassle ya for nothing.some of the worst spots i remember where on the outside of the big trail intersection in boulder junction,wi.most police with sleds that i saw would be houghton,mi.there use to be that one bad officer out of bessemer,mi and the biggest of em all would be in minocqua,wi