AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Chicago Botanic Gardens

Mary Mix McDonald Woods–Skokie Lagoon #7, 13 lakes

1.3 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 26 min

Mary Mix McDonald Woods–Skokie Lagoon #7, 13 lakes is a 1.3-mile out-and-back in Chicago Botanic Gardens near Fair Oaks, IL. The route passes Skokie Lagoon #7, Southeast Pond, Prarie Lake and 8 more before reaching Mary Mix McDonald Woods at the turnaround, 0.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly paved. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi620 – 637 ft2.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: North Branch Blue Paved Trail 42.13795, -87.78160
Nearest town Fair Oaks, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Mary Mix McDonald Woods–Skokie Lagoon #7, 13 lakes

1.3 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 26 min

Elevation 622–635 ft

Out & Back · Chicago Botanic Gardens

Trailhead: North Branch Blue Paved Trail · 42.13795, -87.78160

Weather Sep 22: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:50 PM

No dogs on part of this route · Transit-accessible: Science Center stop 795 m from the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on North Branch Blue Paved (Non-FPCC) Trail, heading NW.
  2. 50 ftPass Skokie Lagoon #7.
  3. 50 ftPass Southeast Pond.
  4. 0.3 miPass Prarie Lake.
  5. 50 ftPass Skokie River Corridor.
  6. 50 ftPass Chicago Botanic Gardens Beach.
  7. 50 ftPass South Lake.
  8. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  9. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  10. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  11. 50 ftBear right, heading NW.
  12. 50 ftPass East Lake.
  13. 50 ftBear left, heading NW.
  14. 100 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  15. 50 ftSharp right, heading NW.
  16. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  17. 50 ftPass Great Basin.
  18. 50 ftPass Circular Pool.
  19. 50 ftPass Sunken Pool.
  20. 50 ftPass Japanese Garden Lake.
  21. 150 ftBear right, heading NW.
  22. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  23. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  24. 0.2 miBear right onto McDonald Woods Trail (South Trail Loop), heading N.
  25. 200 ftBear left onto McDonald Woods Trail (North Trail Loop), heading N.
  26. 50 ftTurn right onto North Branch Blue Paved Trail, heading N.
  27. 100 ftContinue straight onto Chicago Botanic Gardens Access Road, heading N.
  28. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Blue Paved Trail, heading N.
  29. 50 ftContinue straight onto Chicago Botanic Gardens Access Road, heading N.
  30. 50 ftReach Mary Mix McDonald Woods, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  31. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Blue Paved Trail, heading NW.
  32. 50 ftContinue straight onto Chicago Botanic Gardens Access Road, heading NW.
  33. 50 ftContinue straight onto North Branch Blue Paved Trail, heading NE.
  34. 100 ftTurn left onto McDonald Woods Trail (North Trail Loop), heading E.
  35. 50 ftBear right onto McDonald Woods Trail (South Trail Loop), heading E.
  36. 250 ftBear left onto North Branch Blue Paved (Non-FPCC) Trail, heading NE.
  37. 0.2 miTurn right, heading N.
  38. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  39. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  40. 150 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  41. 50 ftSharp left, heading N.
  42. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  43. 100 ftBear right, heading N.
  44. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  45. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  46. 50 ftTurn right, heading NW.
  47. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  48. 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/mary-mix-mcdonald-woods-skokie-lagoon-7-out-back-14-lakes

Trail surface

73% paved9% gravel2% dirt16% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:39 AMSunset 6:50 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.1 mi in (~1 min). Leave by 6:29 PM for the 6:50 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:07 PM — 12 min before dark.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • No dogs on part of this route
  • Transit-accessible: Science Center stop 795 m from the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from North Branch Blue Paved Trail Trailhead

Hikes near Fair Oaks, Illinois