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

0 mi666 – 709 ft6.9 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Robert McClory Bike Path 42.25273, -87.83966
Nearest town Lake Forest, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

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

  1. Start on Robert McClory Bike Path, heading N.
  2. 1.8 miBear left onto North Shore Bike Path, heading N.
  3. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  4. 0.7 miTurn left, heading W.
  5. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
  6. 0.3 miPass Lake Bluff Pond.
  7. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  8. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  9. 0.2 miReach Lake Bluff Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 0.2 miTurn right, heading SE.
  11. 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
  12. 0.4 miTurn right, heading NW.
  13. 0.8 miBear right, heading E.
  14. 100 ftBear right onto Robert McClory Bike Path, heading E.
  15. 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

22% paved18% dirt60% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:38 AMSunset 6:52 PM

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.

More sunset hikes nearby

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