Pecatonica River Forest Preserve
Observation Deck–Orange Trail, 3 sights
3 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 1 min
Observation Deck–Orange Trail, 3 sights is a 3-mile out-and-back in Pecatonica River Forest Preserve near Pecatonica, IL. The route reaches Observation Deck at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain, and mostly grass. It scores 61/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Observation Deck–Orange Trail, 3 sights
3 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 1 min
Elevation 729–756 ft
Out & Back · Pecatonica River Forest Preserve
Trailhead: 42.35422, -89.32902
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:43 AM · sunset 7:00 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Orange Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miTurn right onto Red Trail, heading S.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Green Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading NE.
- 350 ftReach Observation Deck, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Red Trail, heading E.
- 0.8 miTurn left onto Orange Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 50 ftArrive 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 1.4 mi in (~34 min). Leave by 6:06 PM for the 7:00 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:49 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Green Trail–Orange Trail, 3 sights 4.1 mi · ▲ 60 ft
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Hikes near Pecatonica, Illinois