Illinois · Hiking

Main Trail

Main TrailPhoto: Joe K Gage, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
9.5 mi
loop
247 ft
climb
777 ft
high point
Loop
route
Apr, Jun
best months

Main Trail is a 9.5-mile hike on Regional Agency Land within Waterfall Glen in Illinois, with a moderate difficulty rating and a total elevation gain of 247 feet. The trail rises from a starting point of 716 feet to a high of 777 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 4.3 miles, with a grade of 8 percent. The route is open to both horses and bikes, according to OpenStreetMap tags. For timing, late spring and early fall tend to be the most comfortable: typical averages from a nearby weather station show May highs around 73°F and October highs around 65°F, while July averages near 90°F. The Tear-Thumb Trail starts just 0.1 mile away, and Oldfield Oaks Trail and South Field Trail are both about 1.3 miles off. Climbers can find Canyon Creek Falls Walls roughly 2.5 miles from the trail.

  • Best time to go · Apr, Jun

    Best time to visit Main 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, 5.4 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