Ray Lake Forest Preserve

Tamarack Lake via Fort Hill Trail

3.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 2 min

Tamarack Lake via Fort Hill Trail is a 3.1-mile out-and-back in Ray Lake Forest Preserve near Fremont Center, IL. The route reaches Tamarack Lake at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 0 ft of elevation gain. It scores 17/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.

Elevation

0 mi791 – 810 ft3.2 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 42.29094, -88.08667
Nearest town Fremont Center, IL

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Tamarack Lake via Fort Hill Trail

3.1 mi · ▲ 0 ft · 1 hr 2 min

Elevation 792–811 ft

Out & Back · Ray Lake Forest Preserve

Trailhead: 42.29094, -88.08667

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:38 AM · sunset 6:55 PM

Bikes allowed on the whole route · Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SW.
  2. 50 ftTurn right onto Fort Hill Trail, heading W.
  3. 1 miTurn left, heading SE.
  4. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  5. 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
  6. 0.4 miReach Tamarack Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  7. 0.5 miTurn right, heading N.
  8. 50 ftTurn left, heading NW.
  9. 1 miTurn left, heading E.
  10. 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 surface

23% gravel77% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:38 AMSunset 6:55 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.2 mi in (~29 min). Leave by 6:06 PM for the 6:55 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:39 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Bikes allowed on the whole route
  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

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