That sweet gooey stuff you put on your pancakes starts with tapping maple trees. In Lake County, IL it starts with a hike through the maple trees of the Ryerson Conservation Area, 21950 N. Riverwoods Road, Riverwoods.
Operated by the Lake County Forest Preserves, the hike are going on right now, Saturdays and Sundays during the tapping season when the weather is changing and the sap is running. Most of the maple hikes have already filled up but there is still one open March 16.
“Starting a maple syrup hike is not just a journey into the woods; it’s a journey into learning about nature’s sugary secret,” said Director of Education Alyssa Firkus.
‘The temperature dictates what visitors will see along the trails’, said Environmental Educator Jen Berlinghof. “The timing for tapping maple trees comes down to temperature–above freezing during the day but still below freezing at night–plus precipitation and the hours of sunlight in a day,” Berlinghof said.
She explained that changing temperature causes the sap to surge upward from the roots toward the branches, where it helps the leaves grow and the buds bloom. Then in the summer, the leaves will produce more sap, which will settle back down in the roots by winter.
“Visitors can witness the science of turning sap from sugar maple trees into maple syrup. All registered participants can have a taste,” she said.
Tickets for Maple Syrup Hikes are required and hikes fill up quickly. Cost is $7 per person for residents and $9 for nonresidents. Children ages 3 and under are free. Purchase tickets online or call 847-968-3321. Special sessions designed for scouts or other large groups are also available. Call 847-968-3321 to register a group.
In addition, free, self-guided Maple Syrup Hikes are available March 18 through March 31. Explore the maple magic at your own pace as you stroll along a designated trail with a series of informational signs.
“Uncover the fascinating science behind the sap’s journey from tree to syrup, transforming your walk into an educational and delightful experience,” Berlinghof said.
Browse education programs and register online at LCFPD.org/calendar, or call 847-968-3321.
Other forest preserves in the Chicago area also hold maple syrup programs so check with your county’s forest preserves.
Jodie Jacobs