Ferne Clyffe State Park

Big Buck Creek Trail–Bopbcat Loop Trail, 4 sights

6.9 mi · ▲ 621 ft · 2 hr 37 min

Big Buck Creek Trail–Bopbcat Loop Trail, 4 sights is a 6.9-mile out-and-back in Ferne Clyffe State Park near Elvira, IL. It climbs 621 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade. It scores 73/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi407 – 719 ft · steepest grade: 18%7.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Cedar Bluff Trail 37.51629, -89.02384
Nearest town Elvira, IL

Directions

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Big Buck Creek Trail–Bopbcat Loop Trail, 4 sights

6.9 mi · ▲ 621 ft · 2 hr 37 min

Elevation 406–717 ft

Out & Back · Ferne Clyffe State Park

Trailhead: Cedar Bluff Trail · 37.51629, -89.02384

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:43 AM · sunset 6:58 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Cedar Bluff Trail, heading NW.
  2. 1.9 miContinue straight onto Bopbcat Loop Trail, heading NE.
  3. 0.4 miTurn right onto River To River Trail, heading E.
  4. 50 ftTurn left onto Big Buck Creek Trail, heading NE.
  5. 1.1 miTurn right, heading E.
  6. 50 ftReach Cedar Bluff Trail, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 1.1 miTurn right onto River To River Trail, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftTurn left onto Bopbcat Loop Trail, heading SW.
  9. 0.4 miContinue straight onto Cedar Bluff Trail, heading SW.
  10. 1.9 miArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Weather

Sunrise 6:43 AMSunset 6:58 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~30 min). Leave by 6:08 PM for the 6:58 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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