Skokie River Prairie Land and Water Reserve
Lake Bluff Pond via Robert McClory Bike Path
6.3 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 2 hr 8 min
Lake Bluff Pond via Robert McClory Bike Path is a 6.3-mile out-and-back in Skokie River Prairie Land and Water Reserve near Lake Forest, IL. The route passes Lake Bluff Pond before reaching Lake Bluff Pond at the turnaround, 3.2 miles in. It is mostly level, with 82 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Lake Bluff Pond via Robert McClory Bike Path
6.3 mi · ▲ 82 ft · 2 hr 8 min
Elevation 665–708 ft
Out & Back · Skokie River Prairie Land and Water Reserve
Trailhead: Robert McClory Bike Path · 42.25273, -87.83966
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:38 AM · sunset 6:52 PM
Transit-accessible: Lake Forest stop 26 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Robert McClory Bike Path, heading N.
- 1.8 miBear left onto North Shore Bike Path, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
- 0.7 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miPass Lake Bluff Pond.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.2 miReach Lake Bluff Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.8 miBear right, heading E.
- 100 ftBear right onto Robert McClory Bike Path, heading E.
- 1.6 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 2.1 mi in (~51 min). Leave by 5:41 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:59 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Transit-accessible: Lake Forest stop 26 m from the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Robert McClory Bike Path Trailhead
- Robert McClory Bike Path 7.9 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Robert McClory Bike Path 7.9 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Robert McClory Bike Path 7.7 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- Robert McClory Bike Path 7.7 mi · ▲ 26 ft
- North Shore Bike Path 11 mi · ▲ 81 ft
- North Shore Bike Path 11 mi · ▲ 81 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Lake Forest, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Lake Forest, Illinois