Pierce Lake & Willow Creek Trail
8.1 mi · ▲ 249 ft · 2 hr 49 min
Pierce Lake & Willow Creek Trail is an 8.1-mile out-and-back in Rock Cut State Park near Machesney Park, IL. The route reaches Pierce Lake. It is mostly level, with 249 ft of elevation gain. It scores 4/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Pierce Lake & Willow Creek Trail
8.1 mi · ▲ 249 ft · 2 hr 49 min
Elevation 739–901 ft
Out & Back · Rock Cut State Park
Trailhead: Willow Creek Trail · 42.35500, -89.02761
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:42 AM · sunset 6:59 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Willow Creek Trail, heading E.
- 1.9 miTurn left, heading E.
- 150 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 0.6 miPass Pierce Lake.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading E.
- 50 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading S.
- 350 ftBear left, heading NE.
- 1 miSharp right, heading N.
- 300 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 200 ftReach Pierce Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 350 ftSharp left, heading SE.
- 1 miBear right, heading SW.
- 350 ftBear right, heading W.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 250 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 50 ftBear right, heading W.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading W.
- 0.8 miBear left, heading W.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 1.7 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 1.1 mi in (~27 min). Leave by 6:12 PM for the 6:59 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:40 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Willow Creek Trail Trailhead
- Perryville Path 14 mi · ▲ 296 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 7.6 mi · ▲ 195 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 5.3 mi · ▲ 169 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 115 ft
- Willow Creek Trail 2.7 mi · ▲ 27 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Machesney Park, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Machesney Park, Illinois