Somme Woods

2nd Pond–1st Pond, 5 lakes

2.1 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 43 min

2nd Pond–1st Pond, 5 lakes is a 2.1-mile out-and-back in Somme Woods near Fair Acres, IL. The route passes 4th Pond, Eagle Pond, 2nd Pond and 2 more before reaching 1st Pond at the turnaround, 1 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi646 – 682 ft2.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.14437, -87.81436
Nearest town Fair Acres, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

2nd Pond–1st Pond, 5 lakes

2.1 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 43 min

Elevation 647–682 ft

Out & Back · Somme Woods

Trailhead: 42.14437, -87.81436

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:38 AM · sunset 6:52 PM

Dogs allowed on leash · Transit-accessible: Northbrook Court Mall stop 640 m from the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftTurn right onto North Branch (green) Trail, (north section), heading W.
  3. 0.2 miPass 4th Pond.
  4. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  5. 0.4 miPass Eagle Pond.
  6. 50 ftSharp left, heading W.
  7. 50 ftPass 2nd Pond.
  8. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  9. 0.2 miPass 1st Pond.
  10. 400 ftTurn left, heading S.
  11. 100 ftSharp right onto Middle Loop, heading SE.
  12. 350 ftBear left onto North Branch (green) Trail, (north section), heading SE.
  13. 200 ftPass 1st Pond.
  14. 50 ftSharp right, heading NE.
  15. 250 ftReach 2nd Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 500 ftBear right onto Middle Loop, heading SE.
  17. 350 ftSharp left, heading SW.
  18. 100 ftTurn right onto North Branch (green) Trail, (north section), heading S.
  19. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  20. 0.6 miTurn left, heading E.
  21. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

98% dirt2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:38 AMSunset 6:52 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.0 mi in (~25 min). Leave by 6:07 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Dogs allowed on leash
  • Transit-accessible: Northbrook Court Mall stop 640 m from the trailhead

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