Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Leader: Emily Miao
Co-Leader: Joan Wincentsen
Location: Sterling Lake in Van Patten Woods FP, Wadsworth, IL
Skill Level: Beginner
Category: Day Trip
Details: This is the last of our New Member Events in 2025. Please join us at Sterling Lake in Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve (https://www.lcfpd.org/van-patten-woods/), in Wadsworth, IL, to paddle, get acquainted, and eat lunch. Bring your own equipment (including your properly fitting PFD), your lunch, a camp chair or blanket, drinking water, and a change of clothes in case you get wet (it happens).
NOTE: The above-listed link to the Forest Preserve includes a trail map showing the location of Sterling Lake. The main launch site is the Sterling Lake Car-Top Boat Launch ( -87.9451, 42.4727), located on the southwestern side of the lake. The launch site can be accessed via the Forest Preserve entrance at W. Rosencrans Road (IL Route 173) between N. Skokie Hwy (IL Route 41) and N. Kilbourne Road. When you reach the entrance and enter the Forest Preserve, the road will fork - stay on the left side of the fork to reach the launch site and parking area.