Hickory Viewpoint–Lover’s Leap, 7 sights
7.2 mi · ▲ 1,246 ft · 3 hr 1 min
Hickory Viewpoint–Lover’s Leap, 7 sights is a 7.2-mile out-and-back in Pere Marquette State Park near Marshall Landing, IL. The route passes Lover’s Leap and Hickory Viewpoint before reaching Goat Cliff Viewpoint at the turnaround, 3.6 miles in. It climbs 1,246 ft, with sections as steep as 17% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 49/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Hickory Viewpoint–Lover’s Leap, 7 sights
7.2 mi · ▲ 1,246 ft · 3 hr 1 min
Elevation 440–856 ft
Out & Back · Pere Marquette State Park
Trailhead: 38.97080, -90.50468
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:49 AM · sunset 7:04 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Rattle Snake Trail, heading W.
- 100 ftPass Lover’s Leap.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Fern Hollow Trail, heading NE.
- 1 miBear right onto Hickory North Trail, heading W.
- 0.8 miTurn right onto Hickory Trail, heading S.
- 450 ftBear left onto Oak Trail, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right onto Hickory Trail, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear right, heading W.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Goat Cliff Trail, heading W.
- 0.1 miPass Goat Cliff Viewpoint.
- 50 ftReach Hickory Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Hickory Trail, heading NW.
- 500 ftBear left onto Oak Trail, heading S.
- 100 ftBear right onto Hickory Trail, heading S.
- 450 ftTurn left onto Hickory North Trail, heading E.
- 0.8 miBear left onto Fern Hollow Trail, heading NE.
- 1 miTurn left onto Rattle Snake Trail, heading E.
- 0.6 miBear right, heading E.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading E.
- 0.7 miSharp right, heading SE.
- 0.1 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 3.1 mi in (~92 min). Leave by 5:12 PM for the 7:04 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
More from this trailhead
- Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail 5.1 mi · ▲ 111 ft
- Sam Vadalabene Bike Trail 4.5 mi · ▲ 53 ft
- Twin Springs–Stump Lake, 3 sights 4.9 mi · ▲ 53 ft
- Cedar Hill–Stump Lake, 3 summits 4.6 mi · ▲ 82 ft
- Graham Trail–Persimmon Trail, 4 sights 5.7 mi · ▲ 768 ft
- Hickory North Sunset Point–Lover’s Leap, 6 sights 6.7 mi · ▲ 1,175 ft
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