Rock Springs Conservation Area
Turtle Ponds & Prairie Pond via Discovery Trail
3.4 mi · ▲ 108 ft · 1 hr 11 min
Turtle Ponds & Prairie Pond via Discovery Trail is a 3.4-mile out-and-back in Rock Springs Conservation Area near Wyckles Corners, IL. The route passes Prairie Pond and Prairie Pond before reaching Turtle Ponds at the turnaround, 1.5 miles in. It is mostly level, with 108 ft of elevation gain, and mostly dirt. It scores 5/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Turtle Ponds & Prairie Pond via Discovery Trail
3.4 mi · ▲ 108 ft · 1 hr 11 min
Elevation 588–692 ft
Out & Back · Rock Springs Conservation Area
Trailhead: Discovery Trail · 39.82305, -89.01583
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:42 AM · sunset 6:58 PM
Toilets at the trailhead · Drinking water at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Discovery Trail, heading NW.
- 50 ftPass Prairie Pond.
- 0.3 miSharp right, heading W.
- 400 ftPass Prairie Pond.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.8 miTurn right, heading S.
- 0.1 miReach Turtle Ponds, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
- 0.8 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.5 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.3 mi in (~8 min). Leave by 6:30 PM for the 6:58 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:21 PM — 4 min before dark.
Good to know
- Toilets at the trailhead
- Drinking water at the trailhead
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Discovery Trail Trailhead
- Rock Spring–Miller's Mill Overlook, 3 sights 2 mi · ▲ 83 ft
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