North Branch Trail Photos
Skokie Lagoons and Botanic Gardens

The pavilion at Forest Way Grove on the NBT. This is the very northern part of the North Branch Trail just before it turns to the left and runs parallel to Dundee Road.

One more abandoned picnic table along the trail and by the lake. Actually the "lake" above is actually one of the Skokie Lagoons although for all practical purposes it's pretty much a lake.

Off to the right is where the North Branch Trail ends, at Dundee Road and connects to the Chicago Botanic Gardens. Straight ahead is the "Black Trail" that goes around the lagoons on the east side (heading back south again).

This is the crossing at Dundee Road where the North Branch Trail connects to the Chicago Botanic Gardens. There is a traffic light here and crossing Dundee Road at this point is usually not very difficult.

Although this photo tour is for the North Branch Trail I couldn't resist including some photos that I took below as I rode through the Botanic Gardens. This connection is one of the advantages of riding the northern part of this bike trail.

I took these photos very late in the day and I pretty much had the BG to myself. The one flower off to the left in the photo above looks like it is smiling (check out the larger version if you don't see it). This was NOT photochopped.

They have a lot more than just flowers at the Botanic Gardens but these particular flowers looked really nice with the sunlight showing off their colors and textures.

A few benches, in the early evening sunlight, overlooking the water on the other side of the trees here. Although this is mid-summer it reminded me of a fall scene. It was really nice to ride through the Botanic Gardens at this hour.

One final, peaceful scene from the Botanic Gardens. Unfortunately, I had to put my camera away and try to get to my car which I parked in a forest preserve that locks up at sunset!