Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch
2.8 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 56 min
Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch is a 2.8-mile out-and-back in Lincoln Marsh Natural Area near Wheaton, IL. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch
2.8 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 56 min
Elevation 728–771 ft
Out & Back · Lincoln Marsh Natural Area
Trailhead: Illinois Prairie Path · 41.86412, -88.11108
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:53 PM
Transit-accessible: West & Liberty stop 43 m from the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Illinois Prairie Path, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Illinois Prarie Path Elgin Branch, heading W.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Prairie Loop, heading NW.
- 200 ftContinue straight onto Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading NW.
- 0.4 miReach Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.4 miContinue straight onto Prairie Loop, heading SE.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Illinois Prairie Path Elgin Branch, heading SE.
- 0.8 miTurn left, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn left onto Illinois Prairie Path, heading S.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 400 ftArrive 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 1.3 mi in (~32 min). Leave by 6:01 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: West & Liberty stop 43 m from the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Illinois Prairie Path Trailhead
- Rathje Pond–Illinois Prairie Path, 3 sights 8.4 mi · ▲ 27 ft
- Silver Lake–White Pine Pond, 8 lakes 15.2 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Front Pond–Wood Duck Pond, 5 lakes 8.3 mi · ▲ 0 ft
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Hikes near Wheaton, Illinois