Old Plank Road Trail:
Illinois
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Description:
The 22-mile Old Plank Road Trail travels over the original Michigan Central Rail Road (MCRR) line, a railroad started about 1850 that ran from Lake Station in East Gary to Joliet. Nicknamed the "Joliet Cut-Off" due to the fact it enabled trains to skip Chicago.
The trail starts in Park Forest and travels west, alternating between secluded, quiet sections and suburbs. The trail continues through Richton Park, Frankfort, New Lenox, and finally ends on the western edge of Joliet. At mile 9.75, the trail reaches the award-winning Arrowhead suspension bridge, which takes you over Route 45.
You can almost feel the trail's history as you travel down the corridor. Originally a Native American transportation corridor, the route was used occasionally by traders, trappers, and even missionaries. Later, European settlers used the pathway to find their own homesteads. Today, the oncoming traffic is more likely to be a pack of retired cyclists zipping by, or maybe a mom with a stroller.
Many areas along the trail have never been cultivated or developed. The Old Plank Road Trail, nearby nature preserve and other areas are as they were hundreds of years ago. The corridor remains one of the jewels of the area because of the ability or even sheer luck that allowed it to maintain its untouched characteristics.

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Parking & Trail Access:

To reach the Western Avenue trailhead in Park Forest, take US Route 30 the Western Avenue exit, and follow Western Avenue south for about a half mile. The trailhead is on the right.
To reach the Joliet trailhead, take Interstate 80 to the east side of Joliet and exit at S. Briggs Street. Follow S. Briggs north to E. Washington Street and travel West. Just over one half mile away the trailhead is on the right.
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Reviews: [1 trail ratings]
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Great Biking in the Joliet Area
By johnqps122 in January, 2012
I grew up in Joliet but haven't biked there since I was a teen in the early 1980s. I happened to have a new road bike with me when I visited my family on Christmas weekend, and since there was no snow and the temps were in the low 40s I decided to give the Old Plank Road Trail a try. Because of the condition of roads in the area, I didn't expect to have such a great time biking. I rode from Ingalls Park in Joliet to Cicero Ave. (near Richmond Park) and back on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The scenery was very nice and the trail surface was in great shape. The signage at intersections was clear and helpful. There were plenty of other users on the trail that day, and with just a few exceptions, everyone stayed to the right and both foot and bike traffic flowed smoothly. The trail is a great asset to the area and I look forward to biking it again.
A great trail
By jimbo10 in August, 2010
I ride this trail 3 or 4 times a week.(Yellow jersey, blue bike ,smiling all the time, answers to Jimbo). Frankfort is midpoint.Highpoint is Frankfort.Lowpoint is west end of trail (Joliet).Fast riders are usually on in the morning.Trail does have a cross street every mile or two.The trail gets a little crowded Sunday afternoons.Nice people and some nice scenery.

Summertime they have classic car show on Thursday evenings. http://www.frankfortcarclub.org/cruisin_frankfort_2010

Sundays (10-2PM) farmers market. http://www.frankfortcountrymarket.org/home.html

Bike shop is on the trail at Frankfort. Opens at noon if you need parts or help. http://plankroadcyclery.com/

If you like ice cream check out http://www.kernelsweetooth.com/ or http://www.mycreamery.com/frankfort.html

Always help fellow riders in need.
Jimbo
Great Pit Stop in Frankfort
By lkincaid in October, 2008
The Frankfort Country Market (April - October) sets up a nice farmers market. There are vendors selling pizza, sandwiches, and other snack-type as well as lunch-type fare. Plus, nice place to pickup fresh eggs, meats, etc. if you have adequate storage.

Bathroom at the intersection of White Street by the Breidert Green town square is very nice.

More info:
www.frankfortcountrymarket.org
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