Sand Ridge State Forest Sunset Point via Red Diamond Trail
11.2 mi · ▲ 224 ft · 3 hr 51 min
Sand Ridge State Forest Sunset Point via Red Diamond Trail is an 11.2-mile out-and-back in Sand Ridge State Forest near Goofy Ridge, IL. The route reaches Sand Ridge State Forest Sunset Point at the turnaround, 5.6 miles in. It is mostly level, with 224 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 83/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Sand Ridge State Forest Sunset Point via Red Diamond Trail
11.2 mi · ▲ 224 ft · 3 hr 51 min
Elevation 487–577 ft
Out & Back · Sand Ridge State Forest
Trailhead: 40.41562, -89.87825
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:46 AM · sunset 7:02 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 500 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading NW.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.7 miTurn left, heading S.
- 1.5 miTurn right onto Red Diamond Trail, heading W.
- 2.3 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.3 miReach Sand Ridge State Forest Sunset Point, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 2.5 miTurn left, heading E.
- 1.5 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.7 miBear right, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading E.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading E.
- 450 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 0.9 mi in (~24 min). Leave by 6:18 PM for the 7:02 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 this trailhead
- Red Diamond Trail Loop 10.1 mi · ▲ 145 ft
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