Dresden Island Pool–Dresden Island Lock, 5 lakes

14.9 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 4 hr 58 min

Dresden Island Pool–Dresden Island Lock, 5 lakes is a 14.9-mile out-and-back near Morris, IL. The route passes Aux Sable Creek Aqueduct, Aux Sable Lock and Dresden Island Pool before reaching Dresden Island Lock at the turnaround, 7.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 2/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi492 – 515 ft15.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Illinois & Michigan Trail 41.36543, -88.40350
Nearest town Morris, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Dresden Island Pool–Dresden Island Lock, 5 lakes

14.9 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 4 hr 58 min

Elevation 492–516 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Illinois & Michigan Trail · 41.36543, -88.40350

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:56 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Illinois & Michigan Trail, heading NE.
  2. 4.3 miPass Aux Sable Creek Aqueduct.
  3. 50 ftPass Aux Sable Lock.
  4. 2.4 miSharp left, heading SE.
  5. 0.5 miPass Dresden Island Pool.
  6. 100 ftTurn right, heading E.
  7. 0.3 miPass Dresden Island Lock.
  8. 150 ftReach Dresden Island Pool, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 7.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

96% dirt4% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:56 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.3 mi in (~151 min). Leave by 4:05 PM for the 6:56 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:42 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead