AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes
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Yuvikmi · CC BY-SA 4.0
Herrick Lake Forest Preserve

Herrick Lake–Front Pond, 5 lakes

9.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 3 hr 2 min

Herrick Lake–Front Pond, 5 lakes is a 9.1-mile out-and-back in Herrick Lake Forest Preserve near Wheaton, IL. The route passes Rathje Pond, East Pond and Front Pond before reaching Herrick Lake at the turnaround, 4.4 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi728 – 771 ft9.4 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Illinois Prairie Path 41.86402, -88.11639
Nearest town Wheaton, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Herrick Lake–Front Pond, 5 lakes

9.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 3 hr 2 min

Elevation 729–772 ft

Out & Back · Herrick Lake Forest Preserve

Trailhead: Illinois Prairie Path · 41.86402, -88.11639

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:40 AM · sunset 6:53 PM

Transit-accessible: Liberty & Bridge stop 68 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch, heading S.
  2. 0.3 miPass Rathje Pond.
  3. 3 miPass East Pond.
  4. 0.3 miPass Front Pond.
  5. 300 ftTurn left onto Danada-Herrick Lake Regional Trail, heading W.
  6. 1 miReach Herrick Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 1 miTurn right onto Illinois Prairie Path Aurora Branch, heading W.
  8. 3.5 miArrive 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/silver-lake-white-pine-pond-out-back-11-lakes-14-km

Trail surface

79% gravel21% paved

Weather

Sunrise 6:40 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.4 mi in (~59 min). Leave by 5:34 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Transit-accessible: Liberty & Bridge stop 68 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Illinois Prairie Path Trailhead

Hikes near Wheaton, Illinois