BUREAU COUNTY - The Friends of the Canal will hold their monthly Hike the Canal outing on Sunday, July 18. This hike, which is 3.7 miles in length, has been named “Woodchuck” and goes from Bridge 41 to Lock 29.

Hikers will meet at Lock 29 in Colona at 1:30 p.m. and be shuttled to Bridge 41 to begin the hike. Directions to Lock 29: take IL Route 6 to Route 84, then take Route 84 north into Colona. In Colona, turn west onto Third Avenue to Fifth Street, then take Fifth street south to Fifth Avenue and follow the road on the north side of the Canal all the way down to the junction of the Canal and the Rock River (Lock 29).

There is no fee for the hikes. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun and bring a friend, but please dress weather appropriately.

The monthly hikes were developed by the Friends of the Hennepin Canal as an opportunity for everyone to get to know the Canal personally by hiking it from the Illinois River to the Mississippi (including the Feeder Canal) in small legs. Participants need not be members of the Friends to join any of the hikes.

For more information, contact Ed Herrmann by e-mail at hikes@friends-hennepin-canal.org, call him at (815) 664-2403 or log on to their website at www. friends-hennepin-canal.org.

The next hike is planned for Aug. 15.