AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Helm Woods Forest Preserve

Private Utility Drive

2.6 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 53 min

Private Utility Drive is a 2.6-mile out-and-back in Helm Woods Forest Preserve near Carpentersville, IL. It is mostly level, with 28 ft of elevation gain. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi886 – 942 ft2.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.11745, -88.24138
Nearest town Carpentersville, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Private Utility Drive

2.6 mi · ▲ 28 ft · 53 min

Elevation 885–943 ft

Out & Back · Helm Woods Forest Preserve

Trailhead: 42.11745, -88.24138

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:56 PM

Transit-accessible: Golfview & Monroe stop 708 m from the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  3. 350 ftTurn left, heading E.
  4. 0.5 miBear right, heading N.
  5. 100 ftTurn left onto Private Utility Drive, heading N.
  6. 0.8 miReach Private Utility Drive, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 0.8 miTurn right, heading S.
  8. 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
  9. 0.5 miTurn right, heading W.
  10. 350 ftBear left, heading N.
  11. 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 map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/private-utility-drive-out-back-4-km-d29b

Trail surface

57% dirt43% grass

Weather

Sunrise 6:39 AMSunset 6:56 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~22 min). Leave by 6:14 PM for the 6:56 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:31 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Trailhead visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Golfview & Monroe stop 708 m from the trailhead

More from this trailhead

Hikes near Carpentersville, Illinois