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”…