Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond via Great Western Trail

3.1 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 3 min

Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond via Great Western Trail is a 3.1-mile out-and-back near Villa Park, IL. The route reaches Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond at the turnaround, 1.4 miles in. It is mostly level, with 27 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi676 – 715 ft3.3 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Illinois Prairie Path 41.88590, -87.96938
Nearest town Villa Park, IL

Directions

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Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond via Great Western Trail

3.1 mi · ▲ 27 ft · 1 hr 3 min

Elevation 677–716 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Illinois Prairie Path · 41.88590, -87.96938

Weather Sep 23: Overcast, high 61°F / low 55° · precip 9% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:51 PM

Transit-accessible: Villa & Park stop 44 m from the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Illinois Prairie Path, heading W.
  2. 0.2 miBear left onto Great Western Trail, heading W.
  3. 1.2 miPass Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond.
  4. 300 ftTurn left, heading S.
  5. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  6. 100 ftReach Frank M. Gatz, Sr. Memorial Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 100 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  8. 1.4 miBear right onto Illinois Prairie Path, heading SE.
  9. 400 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

84% gravel15% paved1% unspecified

Weather

OvercastTemperature 61°F55°
Precip9%Wind6 mphUV5Humidity76%
Rained 1.7″ 2 days ago (4.9″ over the last week) · trails may be muddy
Hourly temperature
65°50°
Sunrise 6:40 AM12 AM3 AM9 AM12 PM3 PM9 PMSunset 6:51 PM
Wed 64°57°
Thu 67°54°
Fri 73°61°
Sat 74°58°
Sun 74°58°
Mon 76°57°

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~32 min). Leave by 5:59 PM for the 6:51 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Villa & Park stop 44 m from the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead