Cycling Pyramid State Park: Perry County,IL

Cycling Pyramid State Park: Perry County, IL

     Pyramid State Park  is one of the most beautiful parks in the state of Illinois. It is also the largest state owned park in Illinois. It is built on the remains of an old coal mine, and has added large tracts of land from other newer coal mines.

      

     Pyramid has primitive camping, fishing, hunting and hiking. The trails are open for foot traffic, equestrian, and cycling. I have hiked Pyramid many times, and use it as one of my places to workout. It is serene and quiet. It currently is not full of RV’s and tons of people. But, there is a movement to try to make more use of pyramid, by putting in electric campsites, and cabins. However, I feel we should promote the old Pyramid as a quiet place to escape, and use the newer part for more modern conveniences.

      

     Then, there is cycling. This could be a good thing for Pyramid Park. With roads for adults and kids to ride on, and trails for mountain bikes. I cycled Pyramid Parks, 10 mile trail one morning in the late spring after the trails opened up for cycle use.

      

     I loaded my mountain bike onto the ladder that is on the back of my van, and bungee corded it there. I hopped in the van and drove over to Pyramid, which is about 15 minutes from Du Quoin. I parked the van at one of the trail heads for the 10 mile trail, in Heron camp ground.

     

      I put on my helmet, and threw on my small backpack that holds water, snacks, first aid, tools and survival kit. I unloaded my bike from the back of the van and headed out.

      

     The sun was up enough to give plenty of light, but it was nice and cool with misty air. I pedaled down the trail till I hit a downward hill, which I flew down, zipping past trees, and I loved it.

    

      I pedaled up hills and flew back down them again, racing on the flat lands. I saw squirrels, rabbits, and deer crossing the trail ahead of me while the birds watched from trees, chirping as I rolled by.

     

      I rode through swampy areas, not caring about my wet legs and back. I even pumped the pedals through a flooded area of trail where the water was up to my calves. But, who cares? It was freedom.

      

     The trail ended with a steep downhill ride which came out in a parking area. Then the rest of the ride was along highway 152/Pyatt’s road to the entrance of the park, past the Ranger station, and back on a mile of roads to the campgrounds and my van. I have hiked this trail and it took about 5 hours. This time, I did not keep track, but cycling the 10 mile trail took 2 hours or less, estimated.

      

     Cycling Pyramid was very exhilarating and was one of my first experiences mountain biking. It was not difficult, and it was fairly safe, with some thrilling hills, and turns, but nothing too extreme. There is also a campsite halfway if a person wanted to camp.

    

      Pyramid is a great place to get out and enjoy nature, spend time with God and family or friends, while having an adventure.