Pere Marquette State Park

McAdams Peak–Hickory Viewpoint, 8 sights

6.1 mi · ▲ 1,108 ft · 2 hr 35 min

McAdams Peak–Hickory Viewpoint, 8 sights is a 6.1-mile out-and-back in Pere Marquette State Park near Marshall Landing, IL. The route passes Lover’s Leap, Hickory Viewpoint and McAdams Peak. It climbs 1,108 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 36/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi459 – 856 ft · steepest grade: 19%6.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Rattle Snake Trail 38.97889, -90.51193
Nearest town Marshall Landing, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

McAdams Peak–Hickory Viewpoint, 8 sights

6.1 mi · ▲ 1,108 ft · 2 hr 35 min

Elevation 458–856 ft

Out & Back · Pere Marquette State Park

Trailhead: Rattle Snake Trail · 38.97889, -90.51193

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:04 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Rattle Snake Trail, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftPass Lover’s Leap.
  3. 0.5 miTurn right onto Fern Hollow Trail, heading NE.
  4. 1 miBear right onto Hickory North Trail, heading NW.
  5. 0.8 miTurn right onto Hickory Trail, heading SW.
  6. 450 ftBear left onto Oak Trail, heading SW.
  7. 50 ftBear right onto Hickory Trail, heading SW.
  8. 250 ftPass Hickory Viewpoint.
  9. 350 ftBear left, heading W.
  10. 50 ftReach McAdams Peak, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 50 ftSharp right onto Ridge Trail, heading W.
  12. 0.1 miSharp left, heading S.
  13. 250 ftTurn right onto Hickory South Trail, heading S.
  14. 1.5 miSharp left onto Fern Hollow Trail, heading S.
  15. 1.4 miBear right onto Rattle Snake Trail, heading NE.
  16. 0.5 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

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:49 AMSunset 7:04 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.2 mi in (~67 min). Leave by 5:37 PM for the 7:04 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:23 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Rattle Snake Trail Trailhead