AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve

Dead chestnut–Observation Deck, 6 sights

2.7 mi · ▲ 324 ft · 1 hr 4 min

Dead chestnut–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, Dead chestnut and Blue Pool. It climbs 324 ft, with sections as steep as 16% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 25/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi427 – 643 ft · steepest grade: 16%2.9 mi

Getting there

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

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Dead chestnut–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 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 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. 450 ftTurn left onto Connector, heading SW.
  9. 350 ftSharp right onto Fox Trail, heading E.
  10. 250 ftSharp left onto Eagle Trail, heading SW.
  11. 500 ftReach Dead chestnut, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  12. 500 ftTurn left onto Fox Trail, heading E.
  13. 150 ftTurn left onto Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, heading W.
  14. 0.3 miPass Blue Pool.
  15. 0.2 miTurn left onto Rock Trail, heading NE.
  16. 0.2 miSharp right onto Beaver Trail, heading NW.
  17. 0.3 miTurn left onto Deer Trail, heading N.
  18. 500 ftContinue straight onto Connector, heading NW.
  19. 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/dead-chestnut-observation-deck-out-back-8-sights

Trail surface

77% dirt18% grass5% paved

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