The Tour de France just concluded, with a better-than-expected showing for Team Garmin Chipotle and in particular Christian Vande Velde (5th overall).  Christian happens to be originally from Lemont, IL, which is a suburb of Chicago along the I&M canal corridor.   

The Centennial Trail is planned to be extended so that will run through Lemont.  While the canal survey on the other webpages examined the Hennepin, I&M and OPRT, note that the actual I&M canal corridor extends north from Joliet through Lemont. 

 
 

I first noticed the I&M Canal while driving over it on I-55.  Later, I found the Hennepin on a map and wondered if it would be skate-able in the winter.  From the other webpages, you may notice that I do believe it can be skated, but with some challenges.  I'm looking forward to hearing from other like-minded individuals.