Waterloo: Jones Farm Multi-Purpose Trail Hike

Hike along farm fields and by a rocky stream on the Jones Farm Multi-Purpose Trail located on the outskirts of Waterloo, IL.

I hiked 1.4 miles doing a loop on a natural surface combined with some gravel road walking. Elevation gain was 89 feet.

The area is supposed to have five miles of trails in total.

Start of the Hike

I parked in the pull-off of Sherwood Lane.

The main trail starts near the sign going to the southeast towards the trees.

It is faint and grown over at the start. After you get past the overgrowth it is easier to follow as it goes along a creek with the field to the left.

Next, I walked through the bushes, be careful here since some of them have thorns. I then entered the woods.

Along the Creek

The creek has some rocky terrain with small pools of water.

I came to where I had to cross the creek over a stony section.

Now I was on the right side of the creek.

Next, I came across another pool with a stony surface protruding over it. (Main Blog Photo)

If you see ribbons on trees, these are the trail markers.

Stopping for a moment I noticed some Osage oranges on the ground. The trees that produce this fruit were used as property markers in the past. The fruit is not edible. Native Americans once used the wood from the tree for bows and clubs.

Then I came across signs saying that the water in the creek is from a sewer plant discharge so I wouldn’t play in the streams in the park.

As I walked further back, I came to fast-moving water probably from the discharge.

Next, I came to a gravel road and went to the right.

I could have gone to the left to check out other trails, but the water was over the low-water bridge.

On the Road

I followed this road around looking to the right and came up to the sewage plant and a fence.

Then the fence ended, and I went to the left along it.

Back on Trail

I saw the trail once more to the right and followed it as it went above a small creek.

Road Walk

Then I came to the sewage plant road. I decided to walk it back to the parking area.

A faint trail goes into the woods along the road, but it was grown over.

Next, I was back at the parking area.

*The trail map at parking is sadly marked up.*

Final Thoughts

The stream is scenic with it being rocky in places. I wish it were not fouled by the discharge. The trail is hard to follow, and I had to keep checking the map I photographed to make sure I was going the right way. The trail I went on was the easiest to recognize. If you want to do some exploring among woods and fields then check this trail system out.

DETAILS:

Directions: Take Interstate 255 east across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge and then take Exit 6 and go south on Illinois Highway 3. Next, make a left onto Country Club Lane in Waterloo then make a right onto Sherwood Lane and look for the pull-off on the first curve after you are out of the nearby subdivision. At the pull-off is a sign with information on the trails. If you come to the water treatment plant you have gone too far.

Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Address: Jones Farm Multi-Purpose Trail, 9V6F+56, Waterloo, IL 62298