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CHICAGO — While dedicating a lifetime to a field of study is oftentimes a surefire way to cement yourself as a trailblazer, in Illinois, there is a slightly shorter way to earn the title, though it may not be much easier.
The title of Trail Blazer in Illinois can only be earned by those who take on the Grand Illinois Trail (GIT), the longest trail in the state.
What is the Grand Illinois Trail?
The Grand Illinois Trail is a multi-purpose trail that spans more than 500 miles, extending from Lake Michigan all the way to the Mississippi River along the northern border of Illinois.
The trail, which is the longest in the state, came to fruition in the early 90s when the IDNR sought to connect the already existing Hennepin and Illinois and Michigan Canal state trails.
The trail takes cyclists and hikers on a scenic journey throughout northern Illinois, passing through Chicago neighborhoods and small towns along the way.
While about 200 miles of the trail are paved and easy to ride or walk, the rest is on limestone trails or paths, so it could prove difficult for the inexperienced, according to the Grand Illinois Trail Guide offered by the nonprofit organization Ride Illinois.
What is a GIT Trail Blazer?
Those who are able to take on the full trail, either by hiking or biking, visiting all of the designated check points and documenting their experiences along the way, will be recognized by the IDNR as a “GIT Trail Blazer.”
The rules regarding how one traverses the trail are not particularly rigid, but the IDNR encourages those who attempt the journey to take photos and fill out a journal along the way, in order to document that the journey was completed.
According to the IDNR, those who attempt the trail are allowed to break up the journey into several separate trips, but to earn the title, the attempt must be completed within one calendar year.
Those who successfully complete the journey will be recognized by the IDNR with a certificate and their photo will be shared on the Go Illinois Trails! Facebook page.
Where are the checkpoints?
Those seeking to earn the title will need to visit all 17 checkpoints along the trail in order to cement themselves as a GIT Trail Blazer.
The IDNR provided the following list of checkpoints, but those seeking to complete the trail do not need to visit them in this exact order, given that the trail is a loop.
- Navy Pier-Chicago Lakefront Trail
- William Powers State Natural Area-Burnham Greenway
- Village of Matteson Depot-Old Plank Road Trail
- City of Joliet-local street routes
- Gephardt Woods Visitor Center-I&M Canal State Trail
- Lock 14. Day Use Area-I&M Canal State Trail,
- Hennepin Canal Visitor Center-Hennepin Canal State Trail
- East Moline/Hampton Park-Great River Trail
- City of Fulton Windmill-Great River Trail
- Mississippi Palisades State Park-GIT local road route
- City of Galena Old Market Square-GIT local road route
- Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park-GIT local road route
- Village of Pecatonica-Pecatonica Prairie Path
- Rock Cut State Park-Willow Creek Trail
- Village of Richmond-Prairie Trail
- City of Elgin-Fox River Trail
- City of Wheaton-Illinois Prairie Path.
Other points which may be included:
- 16a. Moraine Hills State Park-GIT River Road Trail/West Loop Trail
- 17a. Village of Glencoe-Green Bay Trail of North Branch Trail
How do you sign up?
According to the IDNR, in order to begin the journey of becoming a Trail Blazer, adventurers are advised to send an email to dnr.greenway@illinois.gov to let them know their plan.
The IDNR also advises those seeking to take on the GIT to download a copy of the trail’s user guide to help familiarize themselves with the trail.
Once you have completed the IDNR says hikers and cyclists can send their completed journals, along with anything else they feel appropriate, to Greenways & Trails-Trail Blazer at One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271.
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Gabriel Castillo
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