AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Wadsworth Savanna Forest Preserve

Sterling Lake–Des Plaines Lake, 3 lakes

12.7 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 4 hr 15 min

Sterling Lake–Des Plaines Lake, 3 lakes is a 12.7-mile out-and-back in Wadsworth Savanna Forest Preserve near Fossland, IL. The route passes Sterling Lake and Sterling Lake before reaching Des Plaines Lake at the turnaround, 6.3 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

0 mi663 – 692 ft13.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Des Plaines River Trail 42.48630, -87.93401
Nearest town Fossland, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Sterling Lake–Des Plaines Lake, 3 lakes

12.7 mi · ▲ 26 ft · 4 hr 15 min

Elevation 662–693 ft

Out & Back · Wadsworth Savanna Forest Preserve

Trailhead: Des Plaines River Trail · 42.48630, -87.93401

Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:39 AM · sunset 6:53 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Transit-accessible: Grand & O'Plaine stop 526 m from the trailhead · Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Des Plaines River Trail, heading S.
  2. 0.4 miPass Sterling Lake.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Blue Loop, heading SE.
  4. 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
  5. 0.3 miPass Sterling Lake.
  6. 0.4 miBear left onto Des Plaines River Trail, heading SW.
  7. 3.9 miTurn left, heading S.
  8. 1.1 miPass Des Plaines Lake.
  9. 250 ftReach Sterling Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  10. 5 miBear right onto Blue Loop, heading N.
  11. 1 miContinue straight onto Des Plaines River Trail, heading NE.
  12. 0.3 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/sterling-lake-des-plaines-lake-out-back

Trail surface

95% gravel5% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:39 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 6.2 mi in (~151 min). Leave by 4:01 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Transit-accessible: Grand & O'Plaine stop 526 m from the trailhead
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Drinking water at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

More from Des Plaines River Trail Trailhead

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