Illinois · Hiking

Old Strech

4.3 mi
round trip
716 ft
climb
841 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Old Strech open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Shawnee National Forest. It doesn't name Old Strech, 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.

Old Strech is a moderate out-and-back hike in Shawnee National Forest, on the Hidden Springs Ranger District in southern Illinois. The route is about 4.3 miles long, with a total elevation gain and loss of roughly 716 feet. It starts at an elevation of about 787 feet and reaches a high point of 841 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 1.4 miles in, where the grade hits 13 percent. The trail is a natural surface route, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land, and the hike is open year-round, with an estimated time of about two hours for the round trip. For comfortable weather, late spring and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run highs around 75°F in May and 80°F in September, while July and August average highs near 86°F. That station sits several hundred feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run somewhat cooler. Fulkerson Branch, another hike, starts just 0.2 miles away, and Nugget is about a mile off. Paddlers can find Old Channel about 5 miles away, and Pharoah Campground - Garden Of The Gods offers camping roughly 7 miles out.

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

    Best time to visit Old Strech

    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, 9.3 mi away at 400 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.