Happy Hollow, Hawk’s Cave, Ferne Clyffe Falls Loop in Ferne Clyffe State Park, IL

Hike Happy Hollow, Hawk’s Cave, Ferne Clyffe Falls Loop Ferne Clyffe State Park, IL

Class 1 7.5 miles 800 gain 3-5 hrs Loop Jul 10, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Happy Hollow, Hawk’s Cave, Ferne Clyffe Falls Loop GPX Track

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There are three trailheads you could use to access this loop, but I started at the southernmost Happy Hollow Trailhead. The disappointing Happy Hollow Trail includes a wide, flat horse trail for the first half, then merges with the narrow and underused River to River Trail leading to a small, but pretty natural bridge. From here, the trail continues onward through forest and occasional small meadow and you can complete the loop, ending with a nice walk along a creek. You can also continue to Hawk's Cave, which is a massive sandstone overhang that is begging to be rock climbed, and then to the most popular parking lot. This leads to the Ferne Clyffe Waterfall along the basically paved Big Rocky Hollow Trail. The falls (when flowing) is nestled in a pretty grotto. Take the road back to the northern Happy Hollow Trailhead and follow the rest of the loop back to the lower trailhead.

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Happy Hollow Trail follows a creek for a bit.
Happy Hollow Trail follows a creek for a bit.
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And then the Happy Hollow Trail is a wide, flat, boring woods walk for a while.
And then the Happy Hollow Trail is a wide, flat, boring woods walk for a while.
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Eventually, the Happy Hollow Trail meets with the River to River Trail, which is narrower and a bit prettier.
Eventually, the Happy Hollow Trail meets with the River to River Trail, which is narrower and a bit prettier.
You pass a natural bridge.
You pass a natural bridge.
Natural bridge.
Natural bridge.
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Switchbacks lead above the natural bridge (seen on the left bottom).
Switchbacks lead above the natural bridge (seen on the left bottom).
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An easily-missed side trail leading to Hawk's Cave.
An easily-missed side trail leading to Hawk's Cave.
Hawks' Cave.
Hawks' Cave.
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Parking lot that accesses Hawk's Cave and Ferne Clyffe Waterfall.
Parking lot that accesses Hawk's Cave and Ferne Clyffe Waterfall.
Heading along the Big Rocky Hollow Trail toward Ferne Clyffe Waterfall.
Heading along the Big Rocky Hollow Trail toward Ferne Clyffe Waterfall.
Big cliffs on the right side of the trail, but the trail stays far away for some reason (lol).
Big cliffs on the right side of the trail, but the trail stays far away for some reason (lol).
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Bridge leading to the falls.
Bridge leading to the falls.
Ferne Clyffe Waterfall, not flowing during my visit.
Ferne Clyffe Waterfall, not flowing during my visit.
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Back at the main parking area, heading along the road to complete my loop.
Back at the main parking area, heading along the road to complete my loop.
Back on the trail, from the upper Happy Hollow Trailhead.
Back on the trail, from the upper Happy Hollow Trailhead.
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Junction that I met up with earlier before heading to Hawk's Cave.
Junction that I met up with earlier before heading to Hawk's Cave.
Happy Hollow Trail along the creek again, leading back to my start point.
Happy Hollow Trail along the creek again, leading back to my start point.
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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!