(click on any of the bike trail photos to enlarge)
Riding alongside Gold Road, crossing a branch of the Salt Creek. This is not really a great part of the trail but it can be a very good way to connect to different business and residential areas.
This is the Interstate 90 (Northwest Tollway) underpass. Also not scenic at all but I always remember riding under here when I am on Interstate 90 (at one time I actually used to commute that way everyday... and wished I was on the bike trail instead on many days :-))
The sign here show the trail going on on the sidewalk, but it doesn't really go anywhere from here. It just goes into a very congested business area. There is a Wal-mart on the other side of Golf at this point and an Arbys ahead on the right. Of course, these days, you can get a lot of that information on your smart phone or GPS unit.
The trail ends at the famous Portillos hot dog restaurant (well, most people in the Chicago area know about it anyway) It's a great place to eat! Even though the crowds can get crazy at times, it's surprising how fast they get you through.
I just thought that this photo was interesting... this is after I rode back to where the path splits (the black trail North (right) and the rest of the red trail loop to the left). I set my odometer trip meter at the 2 mile marker and rode back to the 0 marker... Well, as you can see they are in sync...
****** UPDATE *****
NOTE: The photo below was taken in 2005 before the NEW BRIDGE on the west side of the trail was in place (in 2013). I am leaving the original photos to show how it looked in the past and am including a new photo page ~ Busse Woods New Bridge Photos ~ to show how it looks now (see the link between Photo Pages 5 & 6 below).
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OK, now I am back on the red trail loop and about to cross Higgins (Route 72). This is a VERY busy intersection. You need to watch the signals and the traffic and stay alert here, just to get to the other side... Alright, I don't want to scare you too much (you do need to watch it here though), because it is REALLY worth it to cross over. You will be rewarded!
****** UPDATE *****
Once again, we are fortunate to have the new bridge in place now. This was a very dangerous road crossing before the bridge was in place.
The Busse Woods Bike Trail Photo Tour - Busse Woods Forest Preserve, Cook County Illinois. From October, 2005.
Busse Woods Trail Photos 1 - From Elk Herd off of Arlington Heights Road
Busse Woods Trail Photos 2 - Along Higgins and over the Salt Creek
Busse Woods Trail Photos 3 - Red Trail along Higgins to Black Trail North
Busse Woods Trail Photos 4 - Between 53/355 and Forest Preserves
Busse Woods Trail Photos 5 - Along Golf Road back to Red Trail < You are here
Busse Woods NEW BRIDGE Photos - The New West Side Bridge
Busse Woods Trail Photos 6 - South of Higgins to Bridge (panoramic photo)
Busse Woods Trail Photos 7 - Boating Center to Bridge
Busse Woods Trail Photos 8 - Purple Path to Alexian Brothers Hospital
Busse Woods Trail Photos 9 - Alexian Brothers to Bridge over 53/355
Busse Woods Trail Photos 10 - Red Trail West to Arlington Heights Road
Busse Woods Trail Photos 11 - Arlington Hts Rd to Bridge and Elk Herd
The Ride is the Destination