Heron Lake–Hook Lake, 8 lakes
3.9 mi · ▲ 56 ft · 1 hr 20 min
Heron Lake–Hook Lake, 8 lakes is a 3.9-mile out-and-back near Conant, IL. The route passes Heron Lake, Oak Lake, Ash Lake and 5 more before reaching Chain Lakes at the turnaround, 1.9 miles in. It is mostly level, with 56 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 71/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Heron Lake–Hook Lake, 8 lakes
3.9 mi · ▲ 56 ft · 1 hr 20 min
Elevation 431–467 ft
Out & Back
Trailhead: 38.01460, -89.43651
Weather Sep 20: Overcast, high 93°F / low 71° · precip 16% · wind 4 mph · sunrise 6:45 AM · sunset 7:00 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftPass Heron Lake.
- 0.3 miPass Oak Lake.
- 50 ftPass Ash Lake.
- 50 ftPass Elm Lake.
- 50 ftSharp right, heading E.
- 0.5 miPass Marsh Lake.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Lost Forty Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miPass Reed Lake.
- 50 ftPass Hook Lake.
- 50 ftPass Marsh Lake.
- 0.1 miPass Chain Lakes.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 200 ftReach Heron Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.5 miSharp left, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.6 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.4 mi in (~11 min). Leave by 6:28 PM for the 7:00 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:25 PM — 1 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Hidden Lake–Heron Lake, 12 lakes 7.4 mi · ▲ 165 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Conant, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Conant, Illinois