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Jane Addams Trail Photo Gallery
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This trail is part of
The Grand Illinois Trail
Traveling the Trail
Here are some interesting trail facts; follow the lettered posts on the trail.
Winner of the 2003 Coalition of Recreational Trails Award for construction and design.
Hunting Seasons
The Trail will remain open during the 2009/2010 Illinois Hunting seasons. It is strongly recommended that anyone using the trail during designated hunting dates wear the standard, hunter-recognized blaze orange apparel.
Hunters are not allowed to hunt or carry weapons on, or shoot across, the trail right-of-way, or to use the trail as an access to hunting areas. Hunters are allowed to cross the trail, and to retrieve game that has fallen on the trail right-of-way.
The 2009/2010 season’s hunting dates are: October 10, 11; November 20, 21, 22; December 3, 4, 5, 6, (11, 12, 13 Muzzleloader), 31; January 1, 2, 3, 15, 16, 17.
For more information contact:
Freeport/Stephenson County Convention and Visitors Bureau
4596 US Highway 20 East
Freeport, IL 61032
815-233-1357
800-369-2955
www.stephenson-county-il-org
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Trail History – Flora
Many plants are quite seasonal. That is, they are present or evident at certain times and may go unnoticed at other times. It is for this reason that hikers along the Jane Addams Trail will experience an ever-changing flora.
Generally speaking most of the plants seen along the trail reflect the many years of disturbance and various attempts to manage the area while it served as a rail right-of-way. Following cessation of management to keep the tracks clear for trains, numerous plants have invaded the right-of-way.
Hiking the trail during late spring, one would find black cherry and box-elder trees in every section while hackberry and white mulberry are nearly as common. In all, 27 species of trees were found on one such hike with Swamp White Oak being a great one to watch for.
Below the trees there exists a layer of woody shrubs, comprising at least 25 different species. Poison Ivy, Honeysuckle, Elderbery and Black Raspberry are ubiquitous. While none of these species is likely to lure one onto the trail, the fun of finding Wild Black Current, Downy Arrow-wood and American Hazelnut may do so.
Woody plants such as trees, shrubs and vines are, of course, always present to test your skill at recognizing them throughout the seasons. Herbaceous plants are less accommodating. Frequent visits will reveal a constantly changing landscape. During a hike from Freeport to the state line, one could expect to see some 120 species of herbaceous plants, many in full bloom. Many of course are non-native weeds, but many weeds such as Celandine are very pretty. Many other species are northern Illinois natives and well worth the walk. Great White Trillium, Golden Ragwort, Yellow Pimpernel, Virginia Waterleaf, Wild Ginger, Woodland Phlox and wild Strawberry, whose blossoms beckon the hiker to return for the ripened fruit in a few short weeks, are a few of the natives. By then Jewelweed and Great St. Johnswort will be in flower. |
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