The Local Lowdown 8/24/22
4 years ago we took family pictures at Catlin Park, off of Rt.71 outside of Ottawa. When I think back to that time period, life was so good. I still lived in a world in which both of my parents were alive, my Grandma too. It seemed like a simpler time because the kids were so small and they too hadn’t yet faced the loss of their Grandparents. For me, Catlin Park represents that happy moment in time. This August’s hike was my second experience at Catlin Park, one of two natural areas that are under the LaSalle County Parks Department’s control, the other being Shabbona Park. I didn’t even know that there was a LaSalle Co. Parks Department until then, but I just sent off a $15 check to the department for an embroidered hat to show my support.
The drive up to the park is steep and at the top of the hill near the entrance I noticed that the park is only open from May 1st to October 31st, which is disappointing but I imagine the road can be hard to maintain with any type of inclement weather. It took me about 15 minutes to drive all the way back to where I found a building featuring a hand rendered map of the park. I also found the assistant park supervisor and he helped point me towards the “back 40” which he described as a rugged experience, clearly my speed! I wasn’t there for a little nature walk, Deke and I wanted adventure! We found that adventure on, “Ooohhh Heck Hill” but more about that in a minute. The park is a huge multi-use space, 333 acres in all. While I only explored the trails near the back of the park, there seemed to be something for everyone, even bow hunting is permitted during deer season. There are also lots of horse trails and cross-country meets are held at Catlin for many surrounding schools.
The history…
I zipped the map that the park guy gave me into my Lulu fanny pack, tuned up my sense of wonder, put Deke on his leash and set off. It was one of my favorite local hikes ever! It may have been the fact that it was new, but I think it was mostly the diversity of ground that we covered in the 2.8 miles. We walked along a gravel maintenance path to carry us out to the section of trails known as the “back 40”, down ravines, over creeks, along corn fields, the hairpin curve of the never-ending Ooohh Heck Hill, the clearing that led to the horse shelter and the most primitive toilet I’ve ever seen. Near those final landmarks I came upon a grove of eastern white pines that looked to be scorched at the tops, they were missing their needles until they canopied, vastly at the very top. It was such a curious sighting in the land of oaks, elms and scrub maples. It felt like something out of a story book, they way they stood so tall, no other vegetation around.
I have a keen farm girl sense of direction combined with my know it all eldest attitude, that being said, I did refer to the map quite a bit. I would take a peek then walk for a while and notice whatever landmark I was anticipating, pat myself on the back for being such a great guide to myself and repeat. My own little game for 1 in the woods. I can’t even believe what a nerd I am turning into but I kind of dig it. An aging Dora the Explorer, if you will. The relief in cresting the final hill and turn and seeing my car come into view is both rewarding but also kind of a drag as the hike came to an end.
There are a lot of quaint little nature paths with parking lots and parking along the road on the way back to the depths of the park but I highly recommend trying the trail pictured below.
I was doing some research on the county website and it looks like there was some unused funding for the county parks last fiscal year and it would be great if they could put that to use at Catlin. All of the playground equipment was rickety featuring warning signs for kids to play at their own risk. There is so much untapped potential out at Catlin and I am excited to see what it has in store for our community in the future. Part of the reason I wanted to feature it, is to raise awareness and create excitement around its splendor. I feel like it gives Starved Rock a run, certainly less crowded! Until next time, Catlin…better be quick, Halloween is right around the corner.
The Lowdown:
-Check out the Maze trail, I could picture each of my kids taking off different directions, only to end up at the same place. So cute!
-Keep driving all the way to the back, you will EVENTUALLY see the old parks building and you may or may not see an actual person.
-I scooped that there may be more parks coming under the county’s control…Exciting!
-Catlin is home to the LaSalle County Mounted Search and Rescue Posse, also didn’t know there was such a thing.
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mpoweredstate 