ant, crayfish, water strider, and dragonfly. Reptiles and amphibians, including the garter snake, box turtle, softshell turtle, and leopard frog. Plant life The trail contains several different ecosystems: plains, woodlands, savannas, and wetlands. In these ecosystems are many varieties of trees, tall grasses and wildflowers, creating a rich abundance of plant life. Safety When traveling along the trail during warmer months, hikers should take proper preventative measures for mosquitoes and ticks. Mosquitoes can carry some forms of encephalitis as well as West Nile virus. Ticks in the region have been known to carry Lyme disease. Although the river and associated ponds are considered fresh water, swimming or consumption is generally not recommended. Most of the river and its tributaries are subject to runoff/drainage as well as heavy usage by local wildfowl, which may cause chemical and/or bacterial contamination. References External links Map of trail Lake County Forest Preserve District official web site Cook County Forest Preserve District Des Plaines River Trail page at Trailville Bike paths in the Chicago metropolitan area Hiking trails in Illinois Long-distance trails in the United States Protected areas of Cook County, Illinois Protected areas of Lake County, Illinois