Illinois · Hiking

Blue Trail

1.7 mi
loop
42 ft
climb
907 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Blue Trail is a 1.7-mile loop in the Dixie Fromm Briggs Prairie Nature Preserve in Illinois, on city-managed land. The route is rated easy, with a total elevation gain of 42 feet and a total loss of 85 feet, and it sits about 850 to 900 feet above sea level. The trail is flat for most of the way, with the steepest stretch at about 0.74 miles, where the grade reaches 3 percent. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not. The trip takes about half an hour, so it works well as a short outing or a warm-up before exploring more of the preserve. Late spring and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Elgin show May highs around 70°F and September highs around 76°F, with July peaking near 84°F. The Red Trail and Brown Trail both start about 0.1 mile away, and the Orange Trail is about half a mile off. For a change of pace in winter, Snuffy's Trail, a cross-country ski route, lies about 2.3 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Blue Trail

    Best months: April and June–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

      30° / 14°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      34° / 17°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 26°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      12 wet

    5. May

      70° / 48°

      13 wet

    6. Jun

      80° / 58°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 63°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 61°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 53°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 41°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 30°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 20°

      10 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Elgin, IL, 6 mi away at 763 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