AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Forest Glen County Preserve

Vermillion River–Big Woods Viewpoint Loop, 6 sights

7.5 mi · ▲ 576 ft · 2 hr 47 min

Vermillion River–Big Woods Viewpoint Loop, 6 sights is a 7.5-mile loop in Forest Glen County Preserve near Meeks, IL. The route passes Vermillion River and Big Woods Viewpoint. It climbs 576 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 67/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi505 – 676 ft7.7 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: 1950 East Road 40.01951, -87.57533
Nearest town Meeks, IL
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Vermillion River–Big Woods Viewpoint Loop, 6 sights

7.5 mi · ▲ 576 ft · 2 hr 47 min

Elevation 506–675 ft

Loop · Forest Glen County Preserve

Trailhead: 1950 East Road · 40.01951, -87.57533

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:37 AM · sunset 6:53 PM

  1. Start on River Ridge Back Pack Trail, heading NW.
  2. 3 miPass Vermillion River.
  3. 50 ftContinue straight onto Tall Tree Trail, heading SE.
  4. 0.4 miReach Vermillion River, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  5. 0.6 miContinue straight onto River Ridge Back Pack Trail, heading SE.
  6. 0.1 miContinue straight onto Hawk Hill Trail, heading S.
  7. 0.2 miPass Big Woods Viewpoint.
  8. 50 ftContinue straight onto Big Woods Trail, heading S.
  9. 1.8 miContinue straight onto Old Barn Trail, heading SE.
  10. 0.7 miTurn right onto River Ridge Back Pack Trail, heading NW.
  11. 0.4 miTurn right, heading E.
  12. 0.1 miContinue straight onto 1950 East Road, heading E.
  13. 250 ftBear left onto River Ridge Back Pack Trail, heading E.
  14. 250 ftContinue straight onto 1950 East Road, heading NE.
  15. 100 ftContinue straight onto River Ridge Back Pack Trail, heading N.
  16. 50 ftThe loop closes 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/vermillion-river-loop

Trail surface

98% dirt2% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:37 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 2.4 mi in (~62 min). Leave by 5:30 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:08 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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