At Mile 300.5 on the Illinois River is a fixed railroad bridge that is charted at 19.6 feet. Regardless of which route is taken from Lake Michigan, boaters eventually arrive at the lowest fixed bridge on the Great Loop. The lowest bridge has a fixed vertical clearance at 18.5 feet.Route two via the Calumet River to the Calumet-Saganashkee Channel is the only option if vessels cannot clear the lowest bridge. There are more than 40 bridges within five miles. Route one via the Chicago River is a scenic cruise through downtown to the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Harborside Marina Wilmington, IllinoisĮstimated Mileage: 55 nmWhen departing Chicago, two routes continue your Great Loop cruise.

Visitors enjoy activities that appeal to every age, all of which are linked together by a two-mile pedestrian trail.In the heart of downtown Chicago at Navy Pier, DuSable Harbor offers more than 400 slips for vessels up to 60 feet and complimentary pump-out. Hammond Marina is just 12 nautical miles from downtown Chicago and is adjacent to the Horseshoe Casino. ‍ Hammond Marina* (Hammond, Indiana) or DuSable Harbor(Chicago, Illinois) There are several locks along the way operated by the U.S. This segment includes the westernmost point on the Great Loop as well as the longest distance between fuel stops.

Many areas are rather remote, and all but very fast boats will likely have to spend a few nights at anchor on this segment because of the lack of marinas. Chicago is the last big city you see until you reach the Gulf of Mexico. This segment of the Great Loop is a trip through America's heartland of more than 1,000 miles on the inland rivers.

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