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Pratt’s Wayne Woods Location: Wayne, Illinois (DuPage County) A map is available on DuPage County Forest Preserve’s website: www.dupageforest.com I will start out with one of the old stand-bys in DuPage County – Pratt’s Wayne Woods in Wayne, IL The trailer parking area is on the east side of Powis Rd. and you have your choice of gravel or mowed grass. There are no trees in the lot, so keep in mind that it can get hot in the summer. Also, there are no facilities at all at this location but there are latrines and water across the road and if you have a buddy with you to hold your horse, you could stop over there if someone can hold your horse for you. While these trails are wonderful to ride, they do not lend themselves to driving. There are several sections to ride in: From the south of the parking area there is a big loop over the railroad tracks, east and then south, touching on Army Trail Road before looping back down Powis again. I have never encountered anyone except other riders on that section. That will take you less than an hour, so if you are ready for more, leave the parking area via the gravel drive you came in on and cross Powis. Down the edge of the road going north you will see a bridle path – it isn’t very far until it turns into the park area and becomes a limestone path for a bit before leading you back to the jumping area. If you have ever attended a 3 Day Event at Lamplight, this is where the cross country competition jumps are located. It is mostly open with some wooded trails over near the Dunham Rd. side. This is where you will be going ooohhhh and ahhhhhh and saying, I can’t believe people actually get a horse over these jumps! (Unless of course you are one of those people.) This area is generally a nice place for a little gallop and only occasionally do I run into anyone practicing over the jumps – then I just stay out of their way! Now, if you are not opposed to sharing the limestone path with some bikes, you can pick it up by heading for Dunham Rd. from the jump area and take it south just a bit and you will find some trails going off to your right (west of the path). You can now ride on bridle paths that wind through woods and fields before returning you to the Prairie Path. At that point you can continue south to Powis Rd. and head back toward your trailer or go back the way you came. Granted, this ride contains several railroad tracks, a bike path and some roadside riding, but that being said, I have not found this to be a terribly challenging ride. As an added bonus, it really gives you some great training opportunities. The shared portion of the bike path isn’t too busy, and the roadside on Powis –a nice little country road– is wide. I might not choose this destination for an all day ride/picnic because the picnic area is quite a distance from your trailer parking and across the street, but I ride here often because it is convenient and well worth the trip. You can easily log in a couple of hours of scenic trails. It can get wet and muddy early in the year or after heavy rains, but otherwise the fields and trails are very nice and well maintained. Happy Trails!
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