Illinois · Hiking · Lusk Creek Wilderness · Near Goreville

Blanchard Crossing

1.1 mi
round trip
139 ft
climb
645 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Blanchard Crossing open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Blanchard Crossing, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Shawnee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Blanchard Crossing is a short, out-and-back hike of about a mile in the Lusk Creek Wilderness, part of the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The Forest Service manages the land, and the nearest town is Oak, about 2.4 miles away. The trail is rated hard, and the climb is front-loaded. It starts at about 589 feet and reaches a high point of 645 feet, with a total gain of about 139 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.39 miles, with a grade of about 7 percent. The surface is natural, and the trail is open to horses. Bikes are not allowed. For comfortable weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Rosiclare show May highs around 75°F and October highs near 69°F, with September the driest month at about seven wet days. Lusk Creek Trail and LUSK CREEK both start within a quarter mile. Climbers can head to One Horse Gap, about 4.7 miles away, and Redbud Campground - Bell Smith Springs is about 6.7 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Bear Branch Horse Resort

    Campground

    Campground · 2.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Big Blue's BBQ

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 17 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Goreville
  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Blanchard Crossing

    Best months: March–June and September–November. 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

      41° / 22°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 25°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      56° / 33°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      68° / 43°

      11 wet

    5. May

      75° / 53°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      83° / 62°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 65°

      9 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 63°

      8 wet

    9. Sep

      80° / 55°

      7 wet

    10. Oct

      69° / 43°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      56° / 33°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      45° / 26°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Rosiclare 5nw, IL, 8.4 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.