The Carlyle Reservoir is about 150 miles from Champaign to the dam. Near the dam, there's a trail to a historic suspension bridge, the dam area itself should be good as well. There is a beach there for shorebirds, and a marina. Nearby is the visitors' center, which opens at 9am. After exploring here, we will go to Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area on the west side of the lake.
Weather cancellation decisions will be made by 5am on May 29.
Agenda:
4:30am: Meet at QuikTrip, I74 and Neil Street.
6:30am: Pit stop at Casey's
7:00am: Meet in the parking lot just after crossing the Dam.
Explore here for a while.
Go to Eldon Hazlet State Recreation Area
Walk until our legs can't take any more, then head for home.
Google Map of the trip:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1wRRttP9bqAXHvJW8
Links:
Overall Map of the area:
Carlyle Lake Army Corps of Engineers page
https://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/Carlyle-Lake/
AllTrails Map of Carlyle trails
https://www.alltrails.com/us/illinois/carlyle
Eldon Hazlet SRA information:
https://dnr.illinois.gov/parks/park.eldonhazlet.html
Eldon Hazlet map
https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/parks/documents/eldonhazletsitemap.pdf
eBird Beach/dam/Marina hotspot
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L476309
eBird Eldon Hazlet hotspot:
https://ebird.org/hotspot/L164824
Please RSVP to Steve Heater here if you plan to come.