AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve

Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Viewpoint–Observation Deck, 6 sights

2.7 mi · ▲ 324 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Viewpoint–Observation Deck, 6 sights is a 2.7-mile out-and-back in Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve near Altamont, IL. The route passes Observation Deck, Cypress Pond, Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Viewpoint and Blue Pool. It climbs 324 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 25/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi427 – 643 ft · steepest grade: 18%3.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Connector 38.92378, -90.22104
Nearest town Altamont, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Viewpoint–Observation Deck, 6 sights

2.7 mi · ▲ 324 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Elevation 427–643 ft

Out & Back · Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve

Trailhead: Connector · 38.92378, -90.22104

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:48 AM · sunset 7:01 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Connector, heading S.
  2. 50 ftPass Observation Deck.
  3. 50 ftPass Cypress Pond.
  4. 0.2 miSharp right onto Deer Trail, heading W.
  5. 0.5 miTurn right onto Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, heading S.
  6. 0.3 miSharp left onto Frog-Fox Trails, heading W.
  7. 250 ftTurn right onto Frog Trail, heading E.
  8. 0.2 miTurn left onto Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Trail, heading NW.
  9. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  10. 150 ftReach Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 150 ftSharp right, heading W.
  12. 0.2 miBear left onto Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, heading SE.
  13. 0.2 miPass Blue Pool.
  14. 0.2 miTurn left onto Rock Trail, heading N.
  15. 0.2 miSharp right onto Beaver Trail, heading NW.
  16. 0.3 miTurn left onto Deer Trail, heading N.
  17. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Connector, heading N.
  18. 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/beaver-deer-rock-fox-viewpoint-observation-deck-out-back-8-sights

Trail surface

73% dirt19% grass8% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:48 AMSunset 7:01 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:41 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:01 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:28 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Connector Trailhead

Hikes near Altamont, Illinois