Beyond Chicago: Exploring the Unexpected Natural Elevations Around Waukegan

The percussion begins at Illinois Beach State Park, where Lake Michigan's waves create a consistent bass line against the shore. This 4,160-acre park houses more than just beaches—it contains surprising ridges and dunes that create natural acoustic chambers for the wind and wildlife.

As I hiked the 6.5-mile trail that winds through the park's northern unit, I was struck by how the terrain rises and falls like a well-composed melody. The sand ridges, formed by Lake Michigan's ancient shorelines, create unexpected elevation changes that challenge your legs and reward your senses.

I recorded the sounds of sandhill cranes calling overhead while standing atop a 30-foot dune—their prehistoric calls echoing across the landscape created a natural reverb I could never replicate in my Memphis studio. For optimal sound recording in windy conditions like these, my wind muff has been absolutely essential—it's compact enough to fit in my daypack but powerful enough to eliminate wind noise that would otherwise ruin field recordings.

Just a short drive inland, Lyons Woods Forest Preserve offers a completely different soundscape. Here, the elevation changes are subtle but meaningful—gentle hills covered in oak woodlands create acoustic pockets where bird calls seem to hang in the air.

The 2.5-mile loop trail through Lyons Woods became my morning ritual during my weekend stay. I'd arrive just as the forest was waking up, my trekking poles tapping a gentle rhythm against the path as I climbed the rolling hills. These poles have become an extension of my hiking style—lightweight enough for easy trails but sturdy enough when I need extra stability on uneven terrain.

What struck me most was how the varying elevations transformed the forest's sound. From the higher points, I could hear the distant hum of civilization; in the lower ravines, it was as if I'd stepped into a recording booth, the trees absorbing all external noise. As someone who spends her days mixing tracks, finding these natural sound chambers felt like discovering hidden studios built by nature herself.

Fort Sheridan Forest Preserve offers the most dramatic elevation changes in the area, with 60-foot-high bluffs overlooking Lake Michigan. As someone who typically seeks out mountainous terrain, I was genuinely surprised by the vertical drama here.

The preserve's 4.3-mile loop trail takes you through ravines carved by ancient glacial activity. These natural formations create fascinating acoustic phenomena—stand at the bottom of a ravine and speak, and you'll hear your voice bounce between the walls in ways that reminded me of recording sessions in concrete-walled studios.

I spent an entire afternoon recording the sounds of water trickling down the ravine walls and the rustling of leaves caught in wind tunnels created by the terrain. My trusty water filter bottle kept me hydrated throughout the day—it's perfect for filling up at natural water sources when you're spending hours recording in remote spots.

The most magical moment came at sunset on the lake bluffs, where the elevation creates a perfect vantage point. As the light faded, the soundscape transformed—lake waves below, rustling prairie grasses around me, and distant coyotes beginning their evening chorus. I captured it all with my portable audio recorder, which has become an essential piece of my travel kit, as important as my hiking boots.

After days of exploring Waukegan's unexpected elevations, I discovered that this region offers surprisingly good vegan options to fuel your adventures. As someone who's sampled plant-based cuisine across multiple continents, I was genuinely impressed by the offerings in this small lakeside city.

The Green Town Tavern in downtown Waukegan became my go-to spot, with hearty vegan options that provided perfect energy for morning hikes. Their mushroom and wild rice bowl with locally foraged fungi created a taste profile that somehow matched the earthy tones of the forest trails I'd been exploring.

For trail snacks, I stocked up at the Waukegan Farmers Market (open through late October), where several vendors offer dried fruits and nuts perfect for elevation exploration. I always pack these in my food containers, which have revolutionized how I carry snacks on trails—they're leakproof, washable, and eliminate single-use plastic waste.

The unexpected culinary highlight came from The Plant Base food truck, which I found parked near Illinois Beach State Park on Saturday. Their Korean-inspired bibimbap bowl with local vegetables gave me a taste of my birth culture while fueling my exploration of my adopted homeland's surprising landscapes—a perfect harmony of my dual identity expressed through food.