Salt Creek in Illinois

Trip Overview

Had a pleasant 3 hour solo kayak trip today. Put in just below Graue Mill 3800 York Road Oak Brook. There were many twists and turns as well as quiet areas and some small rapids and the occasional small dams. Got sideways at the first small dam about 500 yds after I put in which got the heart racing and left arm wet, then quickly shot thru and became used to the current speed.

Many animals seen such as ducks, geese, herons, a muskrat, deer including several big bucks, one 8 point buck about ten feet away laying on the bank! He stayed there as I paddled back upstream 30 feet to take a closeup photo. A few miles down and seen 2 bucks crossing the creek, the second had a huge rack, at least 10 point. Also passed a dead buck laying on the bank, suspect it must have been hit by a car within a few days, near Mannheim Rd. and Cermack in Westchester.

Trip was about 6-7 miles and had to portage once about 100 feet to avoid log jams. Temp. was low 40's with light drizzle. 1st kayak trip in Illinois for me, butt got wet so next time will use dry pants. Also highly recommend Sealskins waterproof socks which kept my feet nice and dry and I will soon buy the gloves they also make.

I took out at 26th Street Woods parking area in LaGrange Park. Definitely will do again for the fun... be careful of the several small dams and do not paddle after flooding. Really impressed how scenic and pretty it all was.

Fees:

none

Directions:

Put in: Graue Mill 3800 York Road Oak Brook,IL 60523
Took out: 26th Street Woods parking area in LaGrange Park

Resources:

None...just tried it from a friends recommendation and from seeing the creek when biking the trails near it.