AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve

Beaver Falls–Observation Deck, 3 viewpoints

1.4 mi · ▲ 146 ft · 32 min

Beaver Falls–Observation Deck, 3 viewpoints is a 1.4-mile out-and-back in Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve near Altamont, IL. The route passes Observation Deck and Cypress Pond before reaching Beaver Falls at the turnaround, 0.7 miles in. It is mostly level, with 146 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 13/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi479 – 643 ft1.6 mi

Getting there

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

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Beaver Falls–Observation Deck, 3 viewpoints

1.4 mi · ▲ 146 ft · 32 min

Elevation 478–643 ft

Out & Back · Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve

Trailhead: Connector · 38.92378, -90.22104

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:03 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 miContinue straight onto Deer Trail, heading E.
  5. 500 ftTurn right, heading SE.
  6. 250 ftSharp left onto Beaver-Deer Trails, heading SE.
  7. 0.2 miTurn right onto Connector, heading E.
  8. 450 ftTurn right onto Beaver Trail, heading S.
  9. 350 ftSharp left onto Beaver Falls Bottom, heading S.
  10. 450 ftReach Beaver Falls, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 400 ftSharp right onto Beaver Trail, heading NE.
  12. 350 ftTurn left onto Connector, heading SW.
  13. 450 ftTurn left onto Beaver-Deer Trails, heading N.
  14. 0.2 miSharp right, heading NW.
  15. 250 ftTurn left onto Deer Trail, heading SW.
  16. 500 ftContinue straight onto Connector, heading NW.
  17. 0.2 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-falls-observation-deck-out-back-4-lakes

Trail surface

62% dirt38% grass

Weather

Sunrise 6:47 AMSunset 7:03 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:43 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:03 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:30 PM.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Connector Trailhead

Hikes near Altamont, Illinois