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Shawnee National Forest

Best Hiking Trails in Shawnee National Forest

98 reviews


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Overview

Shawnee National Forest is a national forest in Illinois.


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  • Hiking Trails (27)
  • Reviews (98)
  1. 1
    Little Grand Canyon Trail Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 3.0 mi
  2. 2
    Indian Point Trail Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.0 mi
  3. 3
    High Knob Campground via Connector and Grindstaff Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.9 mi
  4. 4
    Ox Lot Cave Loop via Rim Rock Recreational Trail
    ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.1 mi
  5. 5
    Rim Rock National Recreation Trailhead via Rim Rock Recreational Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.2 mi
  6. 6
    r2r guess 11
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.4 mi
  7. 7
    Devil's Kitchen Lake Loop via Panther Den Trail and r2r guess 28
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ MODERATE 6.7 mi
  8. 8
    Rim Rock National Recreation Trailhead Loop via Rim Rock Recreational Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 2.5 mi
  9. 9
    Jackson Falls primitive camping. via Glen St Falls Road
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 3.4 mi
  10. 10
    Benham Hill via r2r guess 12
    ★ ★ ★ ★ EASY 1.6 mi
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    Brian 1 month, 4 weeks ago
    Garden of the gods observation trail
    Short but spectacular
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Ruth Garner 6 months, 3 weeks ago
    Jackson Falls
    We saw beautiful rock formations, colorful leaves, and enjoyed trails in good shape. It was fun watching the rock climbers do their thing.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    robertwwalshiii 1 year, 6 months ago
    Hayes canyon, petticoat junction, Hayes creek ties, 493 back.
    We doubled back to 493, short ride if stay on 497 to 496 to petticoat juncty
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    robertwwalshiii 1 year, 6 months ago
    Indian kitchen
    Nice easy ride out and back
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    JohnMaldaner 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (10/26/20, 9:35:09AM)
    First Smokey solo ride!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    sinarcsin 1 year, 8 months ago
    Little Grand Canyon
    Little Grand Canyon Trail is a fun and somewhat challenging trail. No Flip Flops here only sturdy shoes with a good sole. You’re going to need good traction as you climb down or up the rocks at the waterfalls. Little Grand Canyon is a loop trail where you decide whether you’re going to go clockwise or counterclockwise. The trailheads are located on different sides of the parking lot. The clockwise trailhead is located at near the pit toilets. Both directions have there advantages and disadvantages. If this is your first time here I would recommend the clockwise directions. Be aware no mater which direction you chose you’re going have to descend or ascend the sandstone rocks next to a waterfall. If there is water running these can be slippery. Some of the rock faces have steps cut into them and these can be slippery to. Going clockwise the descent down the waterfall is shorter. When you’re near the end of the hike you will be ascending the longer waterfall. The trade off here is the last half mile of the clockwise direction is all up hill. Enjoy your hike, but be careful.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    rick3gp8 1 year, 10 months ago
    Rim Rock Recreational Trail Loop
    Dr on i Kiki yxss z DC I job h joy in CT’s dr
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    rickharrison2000 1 year, 11 months ago
    Track (6/6/20, 7:54:13AM)
    Very nice. Easy hike.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    fhein 2 years, 4 months ago
    Waterfall trail, Ferne Clyffe state park Shawnee state forest (11/30/19)
    Moderately easy, some rugged climbing. Parts are treacherous when wet.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    merunge1956 2 years, 8 months ago
    Track (9/1/19, 6:48:29AM)
    The short trails off the camping plateau are delightful. ‘Midwest’ moderate but craggy outcrops, pocket caves and waterfalls after recent rains
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    isaiahtimtanner 2 years, 9 months ago
    Little Grand Canyon Trail Loop
    We went in mid summer. It was wicked hot but still a great hike. The only tricky part is the descent/ascent into the canyon that runs through a draw. The draw is exposed sandstone bedrock that can be slick at times.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Karinjoe1924 3 years ago
    Nice easy trail. Fairly kid friendly . A couple small cracks and a little cave. Some good bluffs to see and climb on. A couple have access to climb down to valleys. Pet friendly. Wish there were picnic area and some bathroom facilities there.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    curlyhazel79 1 day, 1 hour ago
    Track (5/14/22, 3:27:47PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    jwpratt1960 4 days, 15 hours ago
    Rock house / A frame
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    snoig33 1 month, 2 weeks ago
    Track (4/2/22, 5:56:40AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    be_loved_1 1 month, 2 weeks ago
    Devil's Kitchen Lake Loop via r2r guess 28 and Panther Den Trail
    ★ ★

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    marty 1 month, 3 weeks ago
    Little Grand Canyon Trail Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    mike.moorman 2 months, 4 weeks ago
    Track (2/16/22, 9:51:05AM)
    ★

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    Loni 3 months, 3 weeks ago
    Jackson Falls, across tracks!, Cove Hollow
    ★

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    mwilkinson016 4 months ago
    r2r guess 11
    ★

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    jason 5 months ago
    Round Bluff Nature Preserve
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    cali1904 7 months ago
    Track (10/16/21, 12:31:16PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    srbridegroom 7 months ago
    Track (10/17/21, 2:57:12PM)
    ★ ★ ★

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    ktaylor1114 8 months, 2 weeks ago
    Backpackers Parking to Observation Trail, Mountain, IL, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    codystevens48 8 months, 2 weeks ago
    Grapevine Trail
    ★

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    robnugentmusic 10 months, 2 weeks ago
    Garden of the Gods
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Allison 10 months, 2 weeks ago
    Main Street to Straight Street, Eddyville, IL, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Loni 10 months, 3 weeks ago
    Trimming west loop with Sharon 6/27/21, 9:38:13AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    08ABE265-A723-405A-870F-7C1B45500A88 11 months ago
    Track (6/16/21) GOG campground
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    TooManyCats 11 months, 1 week ago
    Camp Cadiz Campground via r2r guess a2
    ★

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    rkerns9770 11 months, 2 weeks ago
    Williams hill pass
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    gm111704 11 months, 2 weeks ago
    Rim Rock National Recreation Trailhead via Rim Rock Recreational Trail
    ★ ★

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    ororke33 11 months, 2 weeks ago
    Initial tree from Gradys
    ★ ★

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    blakewinter85 1 year ago
    Jeep Ride 5/15/21 - National Go ToplessDay
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    don-tn 1 year ago
    Track (5/5/21, 9:40:44AM)Shawnee Garden Of The Gods
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    msteere823 1 year, 1 month ago
    Track (4/14/21, 3:14:46PM)rice hallow
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    brclippinger 1 year, 1 month ago
    Track (4/10/21, 2:30:16PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    jsteve.114 1 year, 1 month ago
    r2r guess 11 to Garden of the Gods Road
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Jeanne 1 year, 1 month ago
    Snake Road
    ★ ★ ★

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    TooManyCats 1 year, 1 month ago
    Rim Rock National Recreation Area21, 12:59:16PM)
    ★ ★ ★

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    Jeff 1 year, 2 months ago
    Williams Hill Pass OHV
    ★ ★ ★

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    loretta.maldaner 1 year, 2 months ago
    Schwegman
    ★ ★ ★

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    Loni 1 year, 3 months ago
    Beth’s barn, along creek
    ★ ★ ★

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    josephjamesmccamish 1 year, 3 months ago
    Track (2/3/21, 2:04:27PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Loni 1 year, 3 months ago
    Bulge Hole
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    elaynacoramooma 1 year, 3 months ago
    Giant city nature trail and devils table
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    loretta.maldaner 1 year, 3 months ago
    War bluff
    ★ ★

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    patrick.toan 1 year, 4 months ago
    Track (7/6/20, 11:20:10AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    sskylar228 1 year, 4 months ago
    Little Grand Canyon
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    sandalsprite 1 year, 4 months ago
    Track (1/1/21, 2:43:50PM)
    ★ ★ ★

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    danne.evans 1 year, 4 months ago
    New Year’s Day 2021
    ★ ★ ★

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    tharodactyl 1 year, 6 months ago
    Panther’s Den Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tharodactyl 1 year, 6 months ago
    Panther’s Den Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    bscoleman 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (12/6/19, 09:49:11)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    bscoleman 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (12/6/19, 16:13:54)
    ★ ★ ★

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    bscoleman 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (12/6/19, 15:40:12)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    bscoleman 1 year, 6 months ago
    Track (12/6/19, 13:15:7)
    ★ ★ ★

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    Andrea 1 year, 6 months ago
    Double M
    ★

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    tharodactyl 1 year, 7 months ago
    Panther’s Den Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    teresalynnellis 1 year, 7 months ago
    Regent lane r2r, bobcat loop, Bork falls, etc.
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    teresalynnellis 1 year, 7 months ago
    Happy hollow loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    teresalynnellis 1 year, 7 months ago
    Hawk's Cave Trail, Goreville, IL, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    teresalynnellis 1 year, 7 months ago
    Black jack oak trail
    ★ ★ ★

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    teresalynnellis 1 year, 7 months ago
    Round Bluff to Round Bluff Nature Preserve, Goreville No. 1, IL, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    brian.wright1189 1 year, 8 months ago
    Devil's Kitchen Lake Loop via Panther Den Trail and r2r guess 28
    ★ ★

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    inlinejoe 1 year, 8 months ago
    Eagle Mountains, Mountain Township to Hitching Post Trailhead, Golconda No. 2, IL, USA
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    isaiahtimtanner 1 year, 8 months ago
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    JohnMaldaner 1 year, 9 months ago
    Track (8/7/20, 9:55:15AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    markf524 1 year, 9 months ago
    Track (7/25/20, 10:33:00AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    JohnMaldaner 1 year, 10 months ago
    Track (6/17/20, 11:45:54AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    elaynacoramooma 1 year, 10 months ago
    Rocky top and back to TK
    ★

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    jeannabtucker 1 year, 11 months ago
    High Knob day 3
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    JohnMaldaner 1 year, 11 months ago
    Knights of GC Parking
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    elaynacoramooma 1 year, 11 months ago
    Dead horse canyon
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    elaynacoramooma 1 year, 11 months ago
    Secret canyon
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    blklab9 1 year, 11 months ago
    East Trig trail head to Jackson Falls
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    breehite 1 year, 11 months ago
    Jackson falls above below and all around!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Mike 2 years ago
    Lisa
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    cfd7400 2 years ago
    5/16/20 PJOC Topless Ride
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    blklab9 2 years ago
    Cedar Falls
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    blklab9 2 years ago
    Jackson Falls
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    Anthony 2 years ago
    Fire Road
    ★

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    cjfrcep1 2 years ago
    Little Grand Canyon Trail Loop
    ★

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    obora2547 2 years, 2 months ago
    Devil's Kitchen Lake Loop via Panther Den Trail and r2r guess 28
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    zkeller 2 years, 2 months ago
    r2r guess 11
    ★

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    alexanderevanjennings 2 years, 2 months ago
    Fire Road
    ★

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    Dan 2 years, 2 months ago
    Devil's Kitchen Lake Loop via r2r guess 28 and Panther Den Trail
    ★

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    mike.munie 2 years, 3 months ago
    Little Grand Canyon Trail Loop
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    k_leehy20.5 2 years, 4 months ago
    Devil's Kitchen Lake Loop via Panther Den Trail and r2r guess 28
    ★

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    msseit 2 years, 6 months ago
    Track (10/10/19, 3:17:04PM) Rocky Top to Lake to TK Ranch
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    nitemayer33 2 years, 6 months ago
    Track (10/27/19, 3:15:42PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    zippochips 2 years, 7 months ago
    Initial Tree & No No Rock
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    JohnMaldaner 2 years, 7 months ago
    Track (10/4/19, 9:16:56AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tawright915 2 years, 8 months ago
    Shawnee National Forest - Garden of the Gods Observation Trail
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    JohnMaldaner 2 years, 8 months ago
    Track (9/5/19, 9:30:07AM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    fritzfrangle 2 years, 10 months ago
    Track (6/12/19, 1:49:10PM)
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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    ceciliablack99 2 years, 11 months ago
    Bike Ride to Shelter 1
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

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    tdboswell580 2 years, 12 months ago
    High knob Illinois
    ★ ★ ★ ★

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