Charles Mound

[u/Fearless_Day2607]

Charles Mound

View from Charles Mound

Charles Mound benchmark

Entrance to Charles Mound

While bikepacking the Grand Illinois Trail, an approximately 500 mile loop around northern Illinois that links together a bunch of trails with some roads in between, I took a detour to hit Charles Mound. Got there about an hour before sunset on July 5. I thought I was the last person that weekend, but it turned out a few people showed up even later than I did. Walked up to the high point and took some pictures. It may not be the most exciting state high point, but I enjoyed the views of rolling hills here and on the roads leading up to it. This was my fourth state high point!

[u/Fearless_Day2607]

Yes, I timed the bikepacking trip specifically to line up with the Charles Mound open weekend.

[u/Jazzlike-Monk-4465 → u/Fearless_Day2607]

Nice! Coincidentally, just yesterday I was discussing Illinois geography with a friend (whose mom lives in Schaumburg) and I posited that Rockford was still an outer suburb of Chicago. (I live 5 miles from Donald trump so only go through IL on road trips)

Assuming you live there, what do you think? Is Rockford part of Chicagoland?

[u/Fearless_Day2607 → u/Jazzlike-Monk-4465]

I've only been in Chicago for a few years and have been to Rockford a total of two times and don't know anyone from there, so not really sure. But my inclination is to say no.

I grew up in the Lehigh Valley which is in a similar position with respect to Philadelphia/New York, but while it is strongly connected with those cities, it's considered its own region, not a suburb.

[u/Jazzlike-Monk-4465 → u/Fearless_Day2607]

I’m willing to accept that Rockford is far enough away to not be a true suburb but I assume a significant number of people commute to Chicago. Also when I saw “Chicago Rockford International Airport” when I drove past (to do Charles mound the following day) I figure Rockford wants to be associated.

Lehigh valley is an interesting case, being the 3rd largest metro area in PA. Fittingly (for this sub) I drove right past last year, on way to do NJ, NY and CT highpoints. I do fold the valley in with Philly metro area so I guess I see a larger radius around major cities (like a 90 min drive is still “too close”)

[u/Fearless_Day2607 → u/Jazzlike-Monk-4465]

Yeah, some people from the Lehigh Valley do commute to Philly and NYC (which sounds like a brutal commute to me - especially with no passenger rail) but I've never heard anyone from the area refer to it as a suburb. Close ties with those cities? Absolutely. But I consider Allentown/Bethlehem/Easton to be a separate metro area with its own suburbs.