Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve
Observation Deck–Blue Pool, 7 sights
3 mi · ▲ 314 ft · 1 hr 9 min
Observation Deck–Blue Pool, 7 sights is a 3-mile out-and-back in Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve near Fairmont, IL. The route passes Blue Pool, Cypress Pond and Observation Deck. It climbs 314 ft, with sections as steep as 20% 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, 7 sights
3 mi · ▲ 314 ft · 1 hr 9 min
Elevation 424–643 ft
Out & Back · Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve
Trailhead: Old Blue Pool Trail · 38.91092, -90.21962
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:47 AM · sunset 7:03 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Old Blue Pool Trail, heading E.
- 50 ftPass Blue Pool.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Rock Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Beaver Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Deer Trail, heading NW.
- 450 ftPass Cypress Pond.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Connector, heading NW.
- 0.2 miPass Observation Deck.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Deer Trail, heading E.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miSharp left onto Frog-Fox Trails, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Fox Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miTurn left onto Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, heading W.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Old Blue Pool Trail, heading E.
- 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 surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.0 mi in (~1 min). Leave by 6:42 PM for the 7:03 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:19 PM — 11 min before dark. Car visible from the viewpoint
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Old Blue Pool Trail Trailhead
- Mississippi Sanctuary/Olin Nature Preserve Viewpoint–Blue Pool, 3 lakes 2.4 mi · ▲ 199 ft
- Blue Pool–Beaver-Deer-Rock Trail, 3 sights 2.2 mi · ▲ 350 ft
- Beaver Falls & Blue Pool via Beaver-Deer Trails 1.6 mi · ▲ 88 ft
- Dead chestnut–Blue Pool, 4 sights 2 mi · ▲ 211 ft
- Beaver-Deer-Rock-Fox Viewpoint–Blue Pool, 3 sights 1.9 mi · ▲ 184 ft
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