---
title: Reaching New Heights
date: 2021-09-17T17:26:56-04:00
author: University of Maryland
canonical_url: "https://terp.umd.edu/reaching-new-heights"
section: Articles
---
# Reaching New Heights

*September 17, 2021* — by [Liam Farrell](/authors/liam-farrell)


- *Photos courtesy of The Forge at Lemont Quarries*

> Entrepreneur Creates Taste of Mountain Adventure in Midwest

*Feature Artworkand Thumbnail 19*

Once buried in a century’s worth of trash and debris, a former abandoned quarry 30 miles outside Chicago today looks more like a home custom-built for Spider-Man.

Eight towers stick up like the masts of wrecked pirate ships, with miles of crisscrossing climbing ropes and zip lines offering visitors the chance to unleash their inner action star 120-feet in the air. If a spot on “American Ninja Warrior” doesn’t top your list of aspirations, then pick up a kayak paddle or hit the mountain bike trails.


*Jeremie Bacon headshot*




**Issue:** [Fall 2021](https://terp.umd.edu/editions/fall-2021)


**Types:** [Post-Grad](https://terp.umd.edu/category/post-grad)