French Canyon–Wildcat Canyon - west platform, 4 viewpoints is a 2.4-mile out-and-back near Utica, IL. The route passes Wildcat Canyon - west platform and Wildcat Canyon before reaching French Canyon at the turnaround, 1.2 miles in. It climbs 305 ft, with sections as steep as 27% grade. It scores 32/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
0 mi456 – 594 ft · steepest grade: 27%2.7 mi
Getting there
Trailhead: Campanula Trail 41.31711, -88.99162
Nearest town Utica, IL
Directions
AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com
French Canyon–Wildcat Canyon - west platform, 4 viewpoints
2.4 mi · ▲ 305 ft · 57 min
Elevation 455–596 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: Campanula Trail · 41.31711, -88.99162
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:42 AM · sunset 6:58 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Campanula Trail, heading SE.
- 0.4 miPass Wildcat Canyon - west platform.
- 50 ftPass Wildcat Canyon.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading NE.
- 250 ftTurn left onto Wildcat Canyon - Lower bridge, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.2 miReach French Canyon, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Campanula Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
44% dirt25% boardwalk31% unspecified
Weather
Sunrise 6:42 AMSunset 6:58 PM
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~4 min). Leave by 6:34 PM for the 6:58 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 5 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
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