Saturday, November 30, 2019 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its final guided hike of the Fall, 2019 hiking season, in Burden Falls Wilderness on Saturday, November 30. This hike is free and open to the public This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, exceeding three miles in length, with some off-trail and uphill hiking. It is intended for people in good health, who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack No dogs, please.

     Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at Pleasant Ridge Methodist Church and Cemetery, on Burden Falls Road, one mile west of Delwood, Illinois. Delwood is along Route 145 between Harrisburg and Eddyville. (Please note that this represents a change from the previously announced meeting place.) For information or directions, call (630) 470-7692.

November 16, 2019 – Heron Pond – Hiking Summary

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Shawn Gossman lead his first successful River to River Trail Society hike at Heron Pond-Cache River State Natural Area (his other hike attempt was canceled due to rain last fall). The original idea was to hike from Wildcat Bluff to Little Black Slough/Boss Island and to Heron Pond. However, the Cache River on the bottom of Wildcat Bluff was too high to cross. A plan B was created to take hikers from Heron Pond to Little Black Slough and Boss Island and back. However, a creek crossing promised hikers would get wet feet and that idea was also crossed out.

As a planned, Plan C, Shawn led 19 hikers from Heron Pond to Tupelo Trail and back making the hike about 9 ½ miles in the end. Several of the hikers were returning guests with some hikers present who have never hiked in the Cache River area. Hikers got to see Heron Pond, the Champion Cherry-bark Oak Tree (where group photo was taken), previous settlement areas and Little Black Slough in the Tupelo Trail area (where lunch also occurred). Starting off chilly, the day evolved into a nice sunny day with warmer conditions. Many of the hikers were quite happy about the trip and in agreement that it was a great exercise.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources has also made significant improvements at the Heron Pond Trailhead including the construction of a modern vault toilet gender-specific restroom facility, new signage area and a handicap pad right at the start of the trail.

November 9, 2019 Hike Summary written by Chris Drone

20191109_Sand_Cave_Group_Shot

Sat. Nov. 9th , Mart Watson led 27 other hikers from Sand Cave, over to Hunting Branch. We did ‘start’ at Hunting Branch, then condensed & caravaned over to the “Cave” area. At the cave, Mart shared a few notes about the Caves’ role in the Underground railroad, or, as a meeting place for other purposes. The Skies & weather were Great…for all of us…we had, again, Several new hikers with us, and even a returnee from Union county Kentucky. We saw beautiful tree colors, several short icicles..and even the skeleton of a deceased armadillo. We followed the bluff line from Sand cave, until it ‘pinched out’, walked up a power line right-of-way, then across several barrens. generally avoided getting our feet wet in Bay creek by forming a ‘stone chain gang” and then just before finishing the hike..enjoyed the barrens at Mill branch..it was flowing lightly. Skies were perfectly blue most of the day. Less than an hour into the hike, people were shedding outer layers and enjoying the sun. Only 2 hikes left for the Fall 2019 hiking season…See ya’ll soon….on the trail!!!

Saturday, November 16, 2019 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its seventh guided hike of the Fall, 2019 hiking season, in the Cache River Natural Area in Johnson County, on Saturday, November 16. The hike is free and open to the public. This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, intended for people in good health who have done some walking. This hike will be in the area of Little Black Slough between Heron Pond and Wildcat Bluff, but the precise route will be determined after assessing the water level in the Cache River and adjacent wetlands on the morning of the hike. Hiking sticks, boots or sturdy shoes, and a change of socks are strongly recommended. Hikers should bring their own drinking water and a snack. No dogs, please.

    Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Heron Pond parking lot, two miles west of the intersection of Route 45 and Belknap Road, south of Vienna, Illinois. For information or directions, call (618) 694-7034.

November 16, 2019 Trail Society Work Day

The River to River Trail Society has coordinated a work day for Saturday November 16, 2019. Workers will need to meet at the Dutchman Lake boat ramp at 8:30 in the morning. The Shawnee Forest Service will have workers there with UTV and be running chain saws to cut trees, volunteers will be needed to move the debris after it is cut to clear the trail. Bring appropriate clothing, gloves, snack, water and be prepared to hike up to 4 miles because it is a 1 mile hike to where the downed trees are located. The goal will be to clear the R2R trail west of Dutchman Lake. There upwards of 100 pines that fell making the R2R trail impassable. Please indicate your willingness to help by responding to this post and emailing William.gilmour@frontier.com so any updates can sent out by email.

Saturday, November 9, 2019 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its sixth guided hike of the Fall, 2019 hiking season, at Bell Smith Springs Natural Area in Pope County on Saturday, November 9. This hike is free and open to the public. The route will run between Sand Cave and the Hunting Branch picnic area of Bell Smith Springs. This will be a hike of medium difficulty, intended for people in good health, who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please.

     Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m., at Hunting Branch picnic area. To reach the meeting place, turn right (west) off the Bell Smith Springs access road (Forest Road 848) onto unmarked Forest Road 849, about a mile and a half south of Ozark Road. (If you reach the main Bell Smith parking area, you have gone too far; turn around and retrace your steps back a half mile to Forest Road 849.) For information or directions, call (630) 470-7692.

November 2, 2019 Hike Summary written by Chris Drone

Sat. 11-2-19..We had a great day at Cedar Lake..Don Monty & Anne Gaylord led a total of 19 people. Bright Sun, slightly cool temps & leaves in Full Fall Color display were perfect for hiking. We also had a ‘tag-along’ leader(??)/participant..the blonde dog of the ‘hood’…was with us the Whole way… We spent about 3 hours..along mostly the West edge of Cedar Lake. We had Several newcomers from the Jackson County area..and a family of 3 from Pinkneyville. At lunch, Anne had us on the ‘look-out’ for the blooming Campus Americanus…and..’sho-nuff’ ..it was spotted… We saw a few anglers out on the water..and some nice bluffs in the 1st half of the hike. Now, “no dogs” are allowed to be ‘brought’ by hikers..but, what Does..a group do….when the friendly blond. loveable pooch..invites herself and…knows the trail better than we do??…Well…the hike leaders…gave her a ride home after the hike..See ya next week…”on the trail”…