Joliet Junior College Lake–Junction Lock, 3 lakes

10.1 mi · ▲ 83 ft · 3 hr 24 min

Joliet Junior College Lake–Junction Lock, 3 lakes is a 10.1-mile out-and-back near Rockdale, IL. The route passes Brandon Road Lock and Junction Lock before reaching Joliet Junior College Lake at the turnaround, 4.8 miles in. It is mostly level, with 83 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi522 – 604 ft10.8 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Illinois & Michigan Trail 41.50396, -88.10540
Nearest town Rockdale, IL

Directions

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Joliet Junior College Lake–Junction Lock, 3 lakes

10.1 mi · ▲ 83 ft · 3 hr 24 min

Elevation 522–603 ft

Out & Back

Trailhead: Illinois & Michigan Trail · 41.50396, -88.10540

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:55 PM

Transit-accessible: Midland & Moen stop 781 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Illinois & Michigan Trail, heading W.
  2. 50 ftPass Brandon Road Lock.
  3. 50 ftPass Junction Lock.
  4. 3.2 miTurn right onto Rock Run Greenway Trail, heading NW.
  5. 0.6 miContinue straight onto Rock Run Greenway, heading NW.
  6. 1 miPass Joliet Junior College Lake.
  7. 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
  8. 0.1 miReach Joliet Junior College Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  9. 2.1 miTurn left onto Illinois & Michigan Trail, heading SE.
  10. 2.8 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

63% dirt4% paved33% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:39 AMSunset 6:55 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.8 mi in (~95 min). Leave by 5:00 PM for the 6:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:43 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Midland & Moen stop 781 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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