Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond via Illinois Prairie Path
8.9 mi · ▲ 106 ft · 3 hr 1 min
Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond via Illinois Prairie Path is an 8.9-mile out-and-back in Wild Meadows Trace near Hillside, IL. The route reaches Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond at the turnaround, 4.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 106 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond via Illinois Prairie Path
8.9 mi · ▲ 106 ft · 3 hr 1 min
Elevation 658–716 ft
Out & Back · Wild Meadows Trace
Trailhead: 41.88159, -87.90709
Weather Sep 22: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:51 PM
Transit-accessible: Wolf & Butterfield stop 613 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 350 ftContinue straight onto Illinois Prairie Path, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
- 2.3 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.7 miBear left onto Great Western Trail, heading N.
- 1.2 miReach Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 1.2 miBear right onto Illinois Prairie Path, heading SE.
- 0.7 miBear right, heading E.
- 2.3 miBear right, heading E.
- 250 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.7 mi in (~17 min). Leave by 6:14 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:22 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Wolf & Butterfield stop 613 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Illinois Prairie Path 6.6 mi · ▲ 53 ft
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