Illinois · Hiking

Pounds Ridge

Pounds RidgePhoto: Curtis Abert, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.6 mi
round trip
1,037 ft
climb
681 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Pounds Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

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

Pounds Ridge is a 3.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Hidden Springs Ranger District of Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois. The trail climbs from about 522 feet to a high point of 681 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 3.1 miles in, where the grade reaches 10%. It is a hard hike by any measure. The trail is a natural-surface route that allows horses but not bikes. That makes it a good fit for riders on horseback, and it also works well for those who want to take the ridge at a steady pace rather than a rush. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Rosiclare show October highs around 69°F with lows near 43°F, and May highs around 75°F with lows near 53°F. That station sits about 280 feet lower than the ridge's high point, so temperatures up top run cooler. The trail sits among several other destinations in the area. Initial Tree and Thacker Hollow are both within half a mile, and Pine Ridge-Pounds Hollow campground is about 1.7 miles away. Climbers can find the A: Main Area climbing area roughly 1.6 miles off.

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

    Best time to visit Pounds Ridge

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