Summer temps and sunnier weather have arrived, and the trails are starting to dry out after a rainy spring. This means it’s time to visit Heron View Forest Preserve, one of the six Champaign County offers, and one which has a trail that can get pretty muddy and even impassable after heavy rain.
Recently I found myself once again heading north of Mahomet to Heron View, located about 20 minutes from Downtown Champaign and just eight minutes north of Mahomet off Illinois-47 on County Road 2650 N. Parking is limited; there is only space for about three or four cars, with one handicapped spot. If the parking lot is full, the Buffalo Trace trails and Lake of the Woods are close by for a backup plan. River Bend is also in nearby Mahomet as an alternative for a crowded day.
It’s easy to decide which trail to do, as there is only one trail, the Sycamore Trail, a 1.4 mile-long loop. I usually go clockwise and then turn around and do it counterclockwise. As Heron View is a mix of floodplain and forest, the trail is quite muddy if it has rained recently. I went in early March and my hiking boots were caked in mud, but I went again in mid-April, after a few days of sun, and it was drier. I have also gone only to discover that the trail was impassable due to being flooded. It’s worth mentioning that it is somewhat hilly for Central Illinois. The hills aren’t too high or steep, but a hiking stick may come in handy, especially for those with knee problems.
The dirt and grass trail isn’t marked, but it is easy to follow. Going clockwise, the path goes down a hill to the river, then along the river, circling through the forest, then up a hill at the end as you approach the small parking lot again. Even if you do it the other way, you still have a small climb at the end. Usually there are available pamphlets that include a map at the entrance to the trail. AllTrails also has a trail you can follow if you have the app.
It may be a small forest preserve compared to others, but it has a lot of natural beauty to offer. The Sangamon River flows through the preserve. I have yet to view any of the namesake herons, but I have seen Canada geese, mallard ducks, cardinals, hawks, and many other birds. I use the Merlin Bird ID app to identify even more birds that I can’t see.
The Champaign County Forest Preserve website describes Heron View as a “98-acre mix of floodplain and oak-hickory forest.” The floodplains act like a sponge, which explains how muddy the trail can get. According to the website, there are no current plans to develop the limited facilities because they want to “retain the natural landscape setting and wildlife habitat of the preserve”.
This means there are no restrooms nor water fountains at the tiny parking lot, so take water. Dogs are allowed on a leash. Long pants and proper footwear are recommended. As with any hike, it’s best to wear sunscreen despite the shade of the forest. Insect repellent is also recommended.
While the forest preserve can be explored any time of the year, springtime is ideal for Heron View because of the blooming Virginia Bluebells. As I walked through the flowers in mid-April, I felt as if I were in a magical blue forest because of how many were in bloom. Summer is probably the driest time of the year to explore, though. The fall foliage is beautiful, and there is something special about walking through a winter wonderland too.
Heron View is close enough to Mahomet to head there for a treat at Yo-Yo’s or Whisk Coffee & Wine Bar to reward myself after the hike, though being out in nature is usually reward enough.
Although it’s a short trail, it’s becoming one of my favorite local trails due to the bluebells and the experience of walking through the forest along the river. Heron View may not be the biggest forest preserve, but it doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth exploring. The trail is a perfect way to break the daily routine and to get outside to enjoy nature.
Heron View Forest Preserve
399 County Rd 2650 N
Mahomet
7 a.m. to 9 p.m. until September (closing time varies after then)