Illinois · Hiking

Black Trail

0.8 mi
one way
24 ft
climb
692 ft
high point
Point to point
route
Apr, Jun
best months

Black Trail is a short, easy hike in Arie Crown Forest in Illinois, on land managed by a regional agency. The route is 0.76 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 24 feet and a total loss of 47 feet, making it a low-effort outing that can be done in about half an hour. The trail is a point-to-point route, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.3 miles in, with a grade of about 3 percent. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not, and the trail is not wheelchair accessible. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 73°F and October highs around 65°F, while July averages about 90°F. Nearby, Black Paved Trail is about 1.9 miles away and Orange Unpaved Trail about 2.4 miles. Purple Single Track Loop is about 2.9 miles off, and the Chicago Area climbing area is about 7.3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun

    Best time to visit Black Trail

    Best months: April, June and September–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      33° / 15°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 18°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 28°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      62° / 39°

      12 wet

    5. May

      73° / 50°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      84° / 60°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      90° / 64°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      87° / 63°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      65° / 43°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 31°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Little Red School Hse, IL, 3.6 mi away at 715 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors