Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve
Sterling Lake–Ames Pit, 4 sights
3.3 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 7 min
Sterling Lake–Ames Pit, 4 sights is a 3.3-mile out-and-back in Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve near Fossland, IL. The route passes Sterling Lake and Sterling Lake before reaching Ames Pit at the turnaround, 1.7 miles in. It is mostly level, with 26 ft of elevation gain, and mostly gravel. It scores 0/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Sterling Lake–Ames Pit, 4 sights
3.3 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 1 hr 7 min
Elevation 666–693 ft
Out & Back · Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve
Trailhead: Des Plaines River Trail · 42.48630, -87.93401
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:53 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Des Plaines River Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miPass Sterling Lake.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Blue Loop, heading SE.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miPass Sterling Lake.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading S.
- 300 ftTurn right onto Yellow Loop, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading S.
- 350 ftPass Ames Pit.
- 50 ftReach Sterling Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 250 ftTurn right onto Blue Loop, heading NE.
- 0.9 miContinue straight onto Des Plaines River Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 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
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Des Plaines River Trail Trailhead
- Sterling Lake–Des Plaines Lake, 3 lakes 12.7 mi · ▲ 26 ft
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