... there are two densely wooded sections at the northwestern corner of the preserve, one of which is seen to the right of the Millennium Trail as you near the 180 degree curve approaching the trailhead parking area...
... and as seen from the trail before passing under the power lines.
The name "Singing Hills" dates back to 1942 when Dan Nelson, Sr., purchased the property as a country retreat for his family. Nelson's son, Cliff, relates that his father named the site for the "many birds on that land... a Great Blue Heron nest in the trees along the north edge of the farm... pheasants, grouse, songbirds of all kinds. The land was so musical that my father called his farm 'The Singing Hills'."
But did you know that half of the preserve is on the south side of Gilmer Road, west of Callahan Road? No user amenities are in that section yet, and the only real amenity in the main segment is the Millennium Trail. However, there is a hiking trail in the wooded section mentioned above -- a mile loop trail through dense forest, along wetlands, and through several meadow sections. In January of 2005, I began bushwacking and exploring through the wooded area and discovered several segments of old farmer access roads, heavily overgrown but still discernible. I cleared the encroaching vegetation back and then cut connector trails to cobble the old paths together into a useable hiking trail, seen below.
After completing the work, I contacted the Forest Preserve District office and ultimately took three of their officials on a tour of the trail. They praised the trail and admitted that the trail dovetailed with their long-range plans for the preserve. Then, after more conversation, they discovered that there were no official guidelines for hiking trails. There were such guidelines for multi-use trails (Millennium and Des Plaines River Trails) and also for nature trails, but not for hiking trails. So the last I heard (Spring of 2005), they were going to have to hold committee meetings and develop guidelines, and so they said "we'll get back to you." I'm still waiting.
But the trail awaits users, and each winter/spring I hike the trail and cut back newly encroaching wild rose plants to allow safe passage.
