The group did an 8 mile hike around the west half of Ferne Clyffe State Park. The group drove to the R2R trail head on Happy Hollow Road and left a few vehicles and then proceeded over to Cedar Grove church. From the church they hiked uphill to the climbing area bluff and looked for remnants of an old school that was in the area. After exploring the 80′ bluff the went to the top to a great overlook. Then they hiked over to Bork’s Falls and explored the Bobcat loop in route where they broke for lunch. After lunch the group head explored a short bluff near the falls and then followed the R2R trail back to the trailhead where they left the first vehicles.

The group did an 8 mile hike around the west half of Ferne Clyffe State Park. The group drove to the R2R trail head on Happy Hollow Road and left a few vehicles and then proceeded over to Cedar Grove church. From the church they hiked uphill to the climbing area bluff and looked for remnants of an old school that was in the area. After exploring the 80′ bluff the went to the top to a great overlook. Then they hiked over to Bork’s Falls and explored the Bobcat loop in route where they broke for lunch. Along the Bobcat loop trail they explored a small bluff line and the old farm equipment along the trail. After lunch the group head explored a short bluff near the falls and then followed the R2R trail back to the trailhead where they left the first vehicles. It was a great day for a hike and the lady bugs were out in force when everyone got back to there vehicles at the church.

Another Great day for Hiking!!! Bill Gilmour led 22 into the Jackson Hollow E.A. entering at the sign on the road, just a couple miles north of Trigg tower. We kept working our way ‘down’ going along Massive sandstone bluffs & walls that Most had not previously experienced. We had several new hikers, including 2 ladies from the McLeansboro area. We saw several ‘jigsaw puzzle” formations, and plenty of boulders to take various routes around. We stopped at such spots as Splatterstone Falls and Cove Hollow. We viewed quite a few large ‘overhangs’. Some ‘hunted’ for “Jay Leno”, but couldn’t really ‘see’ him. We happened to meet with another group of over a dozen, from St. Louis, led by Ann Stillwell. Weather was Perfect!!. We walked ‘out’ on the trail leading from the Tin Whistle. At the finish, we saw quite a few bike riders participating in the Camp Ondessonk Fat Tire bike festival (they told me over 200 were there). P.S..if you try to climb the Trigg Tower in the next few weeks for the view, beware, there is a nest of wasps right at the top level (no, someone informed me, so, no stings, but no top view).

It was a great day for our second hike.  Temps were a cool in the morning but warmed up nicely.  24 hikers met at Goreville city park and car pooled over to the Panther Den trail head and all hikers completed the 4 mile loop.  The hike went in on trail 371 to the River to River trail and Bob Mulcahy lead the group turning west on the R2R which was followed all the way through Panther Den.  No new hikers on this hike and everyone made it back to Goreville before 2:00 PM.

What a Grrreat day to start the Fall 2019 hiking season. 19 started…6 of those were “new” hikers..1 from Tennessee, 2 from Benton, & 3 from Hbg.& yes, 1 from the Chicago area.. Temps were perfect to start, but, warmed up by the finish. There was No flowing water, just a few pools. Roads & trails were dusty, and, other hikers & climbers were Plentiful I have Never observed as many vehicles & people at Jackson Falls as we saw yesterday…maybe 150+ other people out, tents & hammocks galore…Dozens & dozens (maybe 100+??) from the opposite end of IL. (Chicago), several groups from Purdue Univ…and other areas of the U.S. (Iowa, Wisconsin, Rhode Island). We got to the train tracks just as a long freight was coming through. Everyone seemed to enjoy the day. Next week…Panther Den.