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DuPage forest preserves gearing up for winter activities

Winter fun on tap at forest preserves

From ice fishing to snowshoeing to cross-country skiing, the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County gives residents plenty of reasons to get outside and play this winter.

Tubing

When there's plenty of snow on the hill (usually more than 3 inches), thrill-seekers can snow tube down the 800-foot run on Mount Hoy at Blackwell Forest Preserve near Warrenville. The rental area is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends from Dec. 2 to Feb. 25 plus Dec. 26-29, Jan. 1-5, 15 and 22, and Feb. 19. Inner tube rentals are $5 a day ($7 for nylon tubes) and end at 3:30 p.m. Only district tubes are allowed.

Snowshoe rental

Visitors also can explore the forest preserves with rented snowshoes. Rentals are $8 for two hours or $13 a day and are available when there's ample snow on the trails.

• When Mount Hoy's open, rentals are available at the base of the hill until 2 p.m.

• On weekdays when Mount Hoy isn't open, rentals are available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the west sector office on Mack Road. Call (630) 876-5931 for availability.

• Visitors also can rent daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fullersburg Woods Nature Education Center in Oak Brook. Call (630) 850-8110 for availability.

Sleigh rides

At Kline Creek Farm in West Chicago, visitors can enjoy 20-minute horse-drawn sleigh rides at 2:30 and 3 p.m. Dec. 21-23, Dec. 28-31, and Jan. 4-6. Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis and use wagons if there's not ample snow on the trails.

Rides are $5 for those 5 and older and free for kids younger than 5. Children younger than 13 must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration is not required, and the district will cancel rides if there's severe weather. For trail conditions or to arrange for private group rides, call (630) 876-5900.

Cross-country skiing

For fans of cross-country skiing, rangers groom more than 70 miles of trails at preserves such as Blackwell in Warrenville, Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook, Danada and Herrick Lake in Wheaton, Greene Valley and Springbrook Prairie in Naperville, Mallard Lake in Hanover Park, Meacham Grove in Bloomingdale, Waterfall Glen in Darien and West DuPage Woods in West Chicago. Visitors who aren't classic skiers should use the inside of the trails to avoid damaging the set tracks.

Fish, skate, sled

Ice fishing, ice skating and sledding are allowed at most preserves, although never at Spring Creek Reservoir in Bloomingdale. Additionally, sledding is not allowed at Mount Hoy at Blackwell or at closed landfill sites at Greene Valley and Mallard Lake.

The district does not monitor ice conditions, so visitors go on ice at their own risk. As a guideline, there should be at least 4 inches of clear ice for any activity. Anglers can find complete regulations in the online fishing guide.

Finally, when there's adequate snow conditions, mushers can dog sled on the Thunderbird Spur Trail at Greene Valley and on the West Branch Regional, Bobolink and connector trails north of Mack Road at the McKee Marsh area of Blackwell.

A complete list of winter programs and activities is available on the district's website or in the quarterly Conservationist. Print subscriptions are free for DuPage County residents and $5 a year for nonresidents; email subscriptions are free. To subscribe, call (630) 933-7085 or email forest@dupageforest.org.

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