Illinois · Hiking

Leekwanai Trail West

0.8 mi
round trip
162 ft
climb
940 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr, Jun–Oct
best months

Leekwanai Trail West is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Illinois, set within Freeman Kame-Meagher Forest Preserve 8 on land managed by a regional agency. The trail is about 0.8 miles long, and the round trip adds up to roughly 1.6 miles with a total elevation gain of about 160 feet. The high point is around 940 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.6 miles in, with a grade of about 4 percent. 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 the warmest month at about 84°F. The hike takes about half an hour, and Leekwanai Trail South lies just 0.3 miles away. Schweitzer Woods Forest Preserve Hiking Path is about 4.3 miles off, and Snuffy's Trail, a cross-country ski route, is about 4.4 miles away. Paddlers can reach the Fox Water Trail, about 7 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Leekwanai Trail West

    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, 7 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