AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Franklin Creek State Natural Area

Hurd Tract–Whipple's Cave, 4 sights

2 mi · ▲ 144 ft · 44 min

Hurd Tract–Whipple's Cave, 4 sights is a 2-mile out-and-back in Franklin Creek State Natural Area near Franklin Grove, IL. The route passes Whipple's Cave before reaching Hurd Tract at the turnaround, 1 miles in. It is mostly level, with 144 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 32/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi715 – 801 ft2.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Norwegian Hill Trail 41.84578, -89.32545
Nearest town Franklin Grove, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Hurd Tract–Whipple's Cave, 4 sights

2 mi · ▲ 144 ft · 44 min

Elevation 717–801 ft

Out & Back · Franklin Creek State Natural Area

Trailhead: Norwegian Hill Trail · 41.84578, -89.32545

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:43 AM · sunset 7:00 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Norwegian Hill Trail, heading W.
  2. 0.2 miTurn right onto Quarry Pass Trail, heading W.
  3. 0.3 miTurn left, heading W.
  4. 0.4 miTurn right onto Pioneer Pass Trail, heading SW.
  5. 0.1 miReach Hurd Tract, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  6. 50 ftPass Whipple's Cave.
  7. 0.1 miTurn left onto Quarry Pass Trail, heading SE.
  8. 0.3 miBear left, heading NE.
  9. 0.3 miTurn left onto Norwegian Hill Trail, heading S.
  10. 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/hurd-tract-whipples-cave-out-back-4-sights-3-km

Trail surface

100% dirt

Weather

Sunrise 6:43 AMSunset 7:00 PM

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Hikes near Franklin Grove, Illinois