We took a drive down to Wolf Lake, IL. Near the LaRue Pine Hills Natural Area, the Inspiration Point Trail offers one of the best views in the Shawnee National Forest.
We drove down Big Muddy Levee Rd to Larue Rd, then Pine Hills Rd. We made a quick stop to check out Winter’s Pond. We started at the Inspiration Point trailhead and made our way up to the overlook. The view is really amazing.
This is an out and back trail, but we continued along the other side, through a lush, green forest area and exited at the McCann Creek trailhead. Instead of backtracking the trail, we just walked the half mile of road back to our car.
The trail was easy to follow and well maintained. We’ve seen pictures of snakes in this area, but we didn’t meet any on our hike.
The trail is around 3/4 mile of rocks and dirt and leads to a gorgeous, panoramic view of the Mississippi River valley and Big Muddy bottomlands. To add a little extra distance, you can start at the McCann Creek trailhead, just about half a mile away.
This trail is rated as “moderate,” but I would add that there are dangerous areas at the top. Proper footwear is recommended. The trail is quite rocky and it’s easy to slide.
The drive to the trailhead is full of potholes and I’m told that the road can be washed out after a hard rain. Always do a little research before you go and consider weather conditions.
Where’s your favorite scenic overlook spot?
Holly Went Hiking 