Mississippi Palisades State Park
High Point–Goldenrod Sunset Point, 5 sights
3.5 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 1 hr 12 min
High Point–Goldenrod Sunset Point, 5 sights is a 3.5-mile out-and-back in Mississippi Palisades State Park near Marcus, IL. The route passes Aspen Sunset Point and Goldenrod Sunset Point before reaching High Point at the turnaround, 1.7 miles in. It is mostly level, with 82 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 51/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
High Point–Goldenrod Sunset Point, 5 sights
3.5 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 1 hr 12 min
Elevation 837–903 ft
Out & Back · Mississippi Palisades State Park
Trailhead: 42.16082, -90.15077
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:03 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Aspen Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftPass Aspen Sunset Point.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Goldenrod Trail, heading NW.
- 0.2 miPass Goldenrod Sunset Point.
- 0.3 miBear right onto High Point Trail, heading W.
- 0.6 miReach High Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.6 miBear left onto Goldenrod Trail, heading E.
- 0.6 miBear left onto Aspen Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, 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
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:43 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:03 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:31 PM.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Aspen Sunset Point & Aspen Trail 2 mi · ▲ 197 ft
- Mississippi Palisades State Park Sunset Point–Goldenrod Sunset Point, 4 sights 3.1 mi · ▲ 80 ft
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