BIKING
BUSSE RESERVOIR
Busse Reservoir is located between the northwest
Chicago suburbs of Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg, directly east of the
famous Woodfield Shopping Mall area. Several entrances are available, mostly
off of both sides of Higgins Road, between Arlington Heights Road on the
east and I-290 on the west. The paved 8 mile trail loops around Busse Reservoir
south of Higgins and through the woods on the north side of Higgins, where
it passes Elk Grove Village's signature elk herd located in a large fenced
area. A bridge carries you over Higgins on the eastern part of the loop,
and traffic signals allow you to cross safely on the western section of
the loop.
The trail on the north side of Higgins Road
travels through lovely forest. The trail has been largely reconstructed
the last few years and is in exceptionally good condition. Numerous walkers
and in-line skaters also utilize the trail, so be alert on blind curves.
A bridge takes the trail over Higgins at
the eastern side of the loop. A traffic signal with button-triggered "walk"
lights assists in crossing at the western side of the loop by I-290.
The lake is on the southern side of Higgins
and the trail crosses several fingers of the lake on short bridges. There
are always fishermen around these areas (and sometimes fishing from the
bridge), so be careful in these areas. Waterfowl are generally visible as
you bike this section, including great blue heron and egrets.
The northeast corner has Elk Grove Village's
namesake elk herd, seen here. The lady in red said she frequents the trail
often and that the elk will come to the fence when she whistles as they
did today. My son, Steve, watches. Feeding of the elk is prohibited as the
animals are on special veterinarian determined diets.