Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve
Observation Deck–Blue Pool Loop, 7 sights
2.8 mi · ▲ 322 ft · 1 hr 6 min
Observation Deck–Blue Pool Loop, 7 sights is a 2.8-mile loop in Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve near Fairmont, IL. The route passes Cypress Pond, Observation Deck and Blue Pool. It climbs 322 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 23/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Observation Deck–Blue Pool Loop, 7 sights
2.8 mi · ▲ 322 ft · 1 hr 6 min
Elevation 427–643 ft
Loop · Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve
Trailhead: 38.91602, -90.22476
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:03 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
- 150 ftSharp left onto Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Trail, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Frog Trail, heading E.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Frog-Fox Trails, heading W.
- 250 ftSharp right onto Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Deer Trail, heading N.
- 0.4 miPass Cypress Pond.
- 100 ftSharp left onto Connector, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading W.
- 50 ftReach Observation Deck, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Beaver Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Rock Trail, heading SW.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miPass Blue Pool.
- 0.3 miBear right onto Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NW.
- 50 ftThe loop closes 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 right at the trailhead, so there is no walk out. Be there by 6:42 PM to have the sun's last 20 minutes of sky before it sets at 7:03 PM. Your car is right there — dark at 7:30 PM.
More from this trailhead
- Blue Pool–Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, 3 sights 2.1 mi · ▲ 198 ft
- Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve Viewpoint–Observation Deck Loop, 8 sights 2.9 mi · ▲ 328 ft
- Beaver Falls–Blue Pool Loop, 3 sights 2.4 mi · ▲ 294 ft
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