Hidden Lake–Blackberry Lake, 9 lakes

4.6 mi · ▲ 87 ft · 1 hr 35 min

Hidden Lake–Blackberry Lake, 9 lakes is a 4.6-mile out-and-back near Pyatts, IL. The route passes Marsh Lake, Reed Lake, Hook Lake and 6 more before reaching Blackberry Lake at the turnaround, 2.3 miles in. It is mostly level, with 87 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 77/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.

Elevation

0 mi423 – 466 ft4.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Lost Forty Trail 38.01734, -89.42654
Nearest town Pyatts, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Hidden Lake–Blackberry Lake, 9 lakes

4.6 mi · ▲ 87 ft · 1 hr 35 min

Elevation 425–465 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Lost Forty Trail · 38.01734, -89.42654

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:44 AM · sunset 7:00 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Lost Forty Trail, heading S.
  2. 50 ftPass Marsh Lake.
  3. 0.4 miPass Reed Lake.
  4. 50 ftPass Hook Lake.
  5. 50 ftPass Marsh Lake.
  6. 0.1 miTurn left, heading NE.
  7. 50 ftPass Chain Lakes.
  8. 0.3 miPass Chain Lakes.
  9. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
  10. 50 ftPass Serene Lake.
  11. 0.2 miTurn left, heading NW.
  12. 50 ftPass Chain Lakes.
  13. 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
  14. 0.3 miTurn right onto Pyramid Trail, heading N.
  15. 0.6 miReach Hidden Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 50 ftPass Blackberry Lake.
  17. 0.6 miTurn left, heading SW.
  18. 0.3 miBear right, heading SE.
  19. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  20. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
  21. 0.5 miTurn right onto Lost Forty Trail, heading W.
  22. 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 6:44 AMSunset 7:00 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.2 mi in (~5 min). Leave by 6:35 PM for the 7:00 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 7 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead