Marengo Ridge
McHenry County, Illinois

by Gail Goldberger

Running north and south through western McHenry County to Kane County, Marengo Ridge — a glacial moraine left by the last Ice Age — is three miles wide from east to west, and 200 feet thick. Made of sand, gravel, clay, and boulders, it is the westernmost and oldest of the moraines in our region.

Marengo Ridge rises 930 feet above a predominantly agricultural area. Its height and the clear scope provided by surrounding farm fields made it the site of a mobile radar station. Established in October by the Wisconsin Air National Guard to monitor the air space around Chicago, the station is part of our homeland security system.

Marengo Ridge, close to 400 acres in all, encompasses a pine plantation called Kunde Woods, originally owned by Dr. Emerson Kunde, who planted 15 species of conifers in 1955. When Dr. Kunde bought the land, it had been heavily grazed by livestock. "The soil was so hard you could hardly put a pickaxe into it," he said. Young tree shoots couldn't root there, and most wildflowers had disappeared – munched to death by cows.

Dr. Kunde doubted the forest could heal itself, as rain couldn't soak into the soil, so he planted evergreens that he believed would survive even these harsh conditions. They survived, thrived, and healed the land, so that today oak, hickory, aspen, sumac, and ash trees grow in abundance.

Marengo Ridge is now a gloriously wooded and hilly area that is so tucked away and diverse you hardly know you're close to civilization. The densely wooded and sometimes ruggedly banked trails take you far away from the highly developed areas nearby.

Beginning with a short .6-mile hiking loop and interpretive trail in a stand of mature white oak trees, we hear blue jays, robins, and flycatchers in the woods. Going north onto a longer hiking loop of 1.1-miles, conifers appear and the carpet turns to pine needles. A half-dozen small wooden bridges cover ephemeral streams that lace the moraine and drain into the nearby Kishwaukee River.

The west side of the longer hiking loop flows into an even longer 2.6-mile hiking loop labeled "more difficult." As these trails are open for cross-country skiing in the winter, this was a good warning: the incline becomes steeper and the path more twisted. The woods thicken and erratic boulders, or "sitting" rocks, appear as we climb up and then down this northernmost loop. A mid-level skier would find this trail very enjoyable, but beginners might think twice.

Looping south and back onto the eastern side of the long hiking loop, the area opens up and the path becomes grassy. Wild raspberry, rosehips, bees balm, gooseberry, and honeysuckle bushes grow here. A mourning cloak butterfly floats by. Prairie grasses and goldenrod wave to our left. As we veer east again to the last loop – the campground loop – we enter an area of planted pine. Right before the campground loop we see false Solomon’s seal, staghorn sumac, and aspen, and our carpet again changes from grass to darkened leaves to pine. This moderately-paced two-hour walk covers about four miles of trail. All hiking loops and nature trails are open for cross-country skiing during
the winter.

A popular area for picnics and group activities, Marengo Ridge offers a picnic shelter and fire ring off the main parking lot, and restrooms and drinking water at both camping areas as well as at the main
picnic area.

Dogs are allowed on the trails; they must be leashed at all times. Biking is permitted on county roads (bring your own bikes). There is no horseback riding at Marengo Ridge or Coral Woods (see next).

Roaming Nearby
Coral Woods is located near the small town of Coral, off of U.S. Rte. 20 and south of Marengo off County Rd. 23. There is a historic maple grove here and a maple sugar loop trail. Coral Woods has a 1.2-mile nature trail and 1.2-mile hiking trail. The maple sugar loop and hiking trails are open for cross-country skiing. Coral Woods boasts many wildflowers in the spring, including spring beauty, trillium, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and May apple.

Horseback riding is permitted year-round in Glacial Park in Ringwood, Hickory Grove in Cary, and Rush Creek in Harvard.

Candlelight skiing is offered in the winter on trails throughout the McHenry County Conservation District. Bring your own skis (no rentals). The trails are groomed, but the district advises calling ahead for ski conditions: (815) 338-6223. Rangers place candles along designated trails, build campfires, and provide refreshments (hot cocoa). Candlelight skiing is held between 5 - 9 p.m. on the following weekends in January and February:

• Coral Woods in Marengo – January 4 and 5
• The Hollows in Cary – January 11 and 12
• Marengo Ridge in Marengo – January 18 and 19
• Harrison Benwell in Wonder Lake – January 25 and 26
• Rush Creek in Harvard – February 1 and 2
• Prairieview Education Center in Crystal Lake – February 8 and 9
• Hickory Grove Highlands in Cary – February 15 and 16

Festival of the Sugar Maples — For two weekends in March (9-10, 16-17), Coral Woods hosts a sugar maple festival. The sugar maple loop trail is marked with historical information, documenting the use of the maple grove up until present time. A costumed interpreter provides information as well. Learn how to identify a maple and how to tap a tree. There will be an evaporator house, and sampling of Coral Woods' maple syrup. (Only Canadian maple syrup
will be available for sale.)

Nearby in the town of Union, visit the McHenry County Historical Society Museum at 6422 Main St. The museum includes the Luke and Margaret Gannon log home built in 1847, West Harmony School (a one-room school house built in 1855), and the 1870 Union School that houses the museum. Currently, a special exhibit is running titled "Marching Off-Left Behind: The World War II Experience." A local history research library is located here, and is open year-round on weekdays, by appointment only: (815) 923-2237. The museum is open May - October, Tuesdays - Fridays 1 - 4 p.m. and Sundays 1 - 4 p.m. Special programs are held on the third Wednesday, 7 - 9 p.m., June - October. Admission is $3; senior/student, $2; families, $8.

Also in Union at 7000 Olsen Road is the Illinois Railway Museum. Take a 9-mile ride on an antique steam locomotive and clamber onto more than 250 cars and rail cars, including the gleaming stainless steel of a complete Burlington Zephyr Streamliner. This "heaven" for rail buffs is open May-October. Admission charges vary. Call (800) BIG-RAIL.

Off Randall Rd. and I-90 is the Kane County Fairgrounds where the largest flea market in the world — the Kane County Flea Market — is held the first Sunday of every month and the afternoon before. There is an admission charge: (630) 377-2252.

There is also an Opera House in Woodstock, constructed in 1890 and restored in 1977 to its original Steamboat Gothic. It is a year-round performing arts center. Call for the schedule of performances: (815) 338-5300.

Foraging
In Union, one block east of the McHenry County Historical Society Museum at 6524 Main St. is Checkers II, (815) 923-2000, a family-oriented restaurant and lounge serving lunch and dinner ($6-$15). Also in Union, at the intersection of U.S. Rte. 20 and Union Road (8512 S. Union Rd.) is Doneley's Old West Lounge, (815) 923-8000, a steakhouse open Friday -Sunday, with a Sunday brunch and children's menu. Open Friday - Saturday 4:30 - 10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Prices range from $6-$22.

Between Harvard and Woodstock, at the intersection of Rte. 14 and 120, is Deeter's Restaurant, serving European and American cuisine. Known for its German specialties, it offers a full menu including fish, lighter fare, steaks, and seafood. Open Tuesday - Sunday, 4 - 10 p.m., with an early bird menu (4 - 6:30 p.m.). Located at 1510 S. Rte. 14; (815) 338-6550.

Heading south on U.S. Rte. 20 past I-90, a side trip to Prairie Rock Brewing Company in Elgin; (847) 622-8888, may well be worth the time. Located on 127 S. Grove, one block north of the Grand Victoria Riverboat Casino, this is an above average brewpub, known for steak, ribs, chops, and an excellent, highly rated wine list. The restaurant has an expansive dining room and centrally located fireplace and is housed in a beautiful building that was once the Grove Theatre. Extensive beer list.

Bedding Down
Group camping is available year-round at Marengo Ridge. The campground holds up to 160 people. Camping in Thomas Woods at Marengo Ridge is available from May 1 - October 31. For fees and availability call (815) 338-6223.

The nearest lodging can be found in the town of Woodstock. A bed and breakfast, Bundling Board Inn with 6 rooms, is located 2 blocks from the historic square and Opera House at 220 E. South St.; (815) 338-7054. Weekday rates are $75/room; weekend $95/room. Full breakfast served.

Days Inn Woodstock at 990 Lake Avenue with 44 rooms and 6 suites has rates ranging from $60-$107; (815) 338-0629. Holiday Inn Express at 1785 S. Eastwood Dr.; (815) 334-9600 has 51 rooms and 2 suites. Rates range from $79-$105 (children under 19 stay free with adult).

There is also an AmeriHost Inn in Harvard at 1710 S. Division St.; (815) 943-0700. 58 rooms, 2 suites, $79-$175.

Events
McHenry County Conservation District's Trail of History is an interpretive event portraying life as it was from 1670-1850 in the former Northwest Territory which encompassed Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and parts of Minnesota.

The Trail of History takes place every October in Glacial Park at Harts Rd. and Rte. 31 in Ringwood. Call (815) 338-6223 for information about next year's event.