Troll Hunt - Morton Arboretum

If you find yourself in or near Chicago this summer, be sure to stop by the Morton Arboretum (just off I-88 in Lisle) and go on a Troll Hunt. The six trolls (and their hideout) are crafted from reclaimed wood by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. We walked seven miles (11.3 km) over three hours to see all the trolls. You can drive or bicycle to them, but you will still have to walk a bit from the parking lots.

East Side Trolls

Joe the Guardian

You don't even have to go to the Arb to see Joe the Guardian. He stands on a hill just to the north of I-88 (the road in the bottom left of the photo).

Joe peeks over the hill as we approached on foot from the east.

It's difficult to really appreciate Joe's size until you get up close.

Joe's hair is made from small branches. His spear pole is a pine tree log, and the spear point is wood.

Rocky Bardur

The next troll you are likely to see is Rocky Bardur, who has destroyed a car (a Ford Focus) in the main parking lot. It must have been quite an effort to get that rock inside the car!

A full view of Rocky Bardur as he gets ready to toss another rock. Rocky is a small troll.

Sneaky Socks Alexa

It's easy to sneak up on Sneaky Socks Alexa, just a short stroll from the main parking lot.

From the other side, Alexa is hoping to catch an unsuspecting critter in her trap.

Alexa awaits prey.

Furry Ema

Furry Ema awaits deep in the woods, in amongst the maples, and farthest from the Visitor Center. She, too, is hoping to trap an unsuspecting critter. When the trolls were first put on display, this basket was swinging off the ground, but it became so popular that it was "grounded" so that it would last the summer!

West Side Trolls

Niels Bragger

Niels Bragger hides (as best as a 20-ft (6 m) high troll can) among the trees on a hill top on the west side of the Arb.

Little Arturs

If "Little" Arturs we standing, he would be 60 feet (18 m) tall!

I thought Arturs was yawning, but the troll was made so that you could climb inside his mouth and it would look like he was eating you! The popularity of the trolls has made it necessary to ban all climbing on them.

You can get a feel for the scale of Arturs here.

Troll Hideout

You are supposed to use clues to find the trolls' forested hideout: it's not shown on the Troll Hunt map.  But if you follow the Troll Hunt signs on the west side, you will come across it. #trollhideout

The Hideout is a teepee-like structure with all the comforts of a good home. There are places to cook and eat, places to sleep, and places to play.

The necessities of troll personal care: a toothbrush, hairbrush, and a spoon.

Almost everything in the sculptures will biodegrade over time. (Rocks won't, of course, and neither will the screws that hold the sculptures together.) The trolls will remain in place until they become a safety hazard, so it will probably be possible to see them through the winter. Sounds like another trip to the Arb will be in order!