Saturday, November 6, 2021 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its fifth guided hike of the Fall, 2021 hiking season, on Saturday, November 6. This hike is free and open to the public. The hike will cover just under six miles on Trails 001,153, 180, 180C, and 185, in the High Knob area. This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, intended for people in good health who have done some walking. 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 by 10:00 a.m. at the parking area atop High Knob, about two miles north of Karbers Ridge, Illinois. Hikers are requested to drive very slowly through the horse camp at the base of the Knob. For information or directions, call (618) 841-4838.

October 30, 2021 – Dutchman Lake Hiking Summary

This weekend, Bill Gimour led 23 other hikers in the Dutchman lake area. We started out in a drizzle of rain, which finally relented by lunchtime. We passed by the Dutchman lake “hanging boulder” and 3 different waterfalls: Dutchman lake falls, Meditation falls and a 3rd, where we took the group picture, each of which did have a trickle of flow. The waterfalls, if found during a winter cold spell, can be spectacular in their frozen state. We also made it to the Dutchman lake shelter bluff/cave. Most of the hike was on various trails in the area, some of which are ‘marked’ by various items of ‘used, gender-specific’ clothing’.  We did have, again , several new hikers, 1 from as far away as Quebec Canada,  and welcomed back several experienced hikers we had not seen in months. 1 ‘veteran’ even brought a plateful of homemade cookies to share before we started, which were delicious.

Next weeks’ hike, at 10 am, led by Fred Scott will be meeting at the top of High knob, North of Karbers Ridge.  PLEASE remember, to ‘creep’ (single digit mph), through the High knob horse camp, when you come in.

See ya’ll on the trail!!

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Drone

Saturday, October 30, 2021 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its fourth guided hike of the Fall, 2021 hiking season, on Saturday, October 30, at Dutchman Lake, in Johnson County. This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a hike of between five and six miles, with some small creek crossings, and 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. along the access road to Dutchman Lake, about five miles northwest of Vienna, Illinois. For information or directions, call (270) 331-1553.

October 23, 2021 – Ferne Clyffe Happy Hollow Hiking Summary

Saturday October 23, 2021, Chris Drone led 12 hikers on his first hike as leader.  The hike was just under 6 miles; started at the Buck Creek trail head and followed the Happy Hollow Trail along Buck Creek to the south end of the State Park property and then climbed high on the hill and proceeded back to the same point.  Chris led the hikers off trail about 100 yards to the Happy Arch and the Double Arch on the way out.  A light rain started about a mile into the hike and all hikers agreed to continue the hike when Chris asked everyone.  Shortly after climbing the big hill we arrived at the main Happy Hollow arch were the group stopped under the arch for lunch and a group photo.  After lunch the light rain let up for a while and Chris led the group up to the Alligator Rock overlook.  After leaving the overlook, the group continued back to the first trail intersection where we started and 2 hikers elected to leave the hike after going about 4.75 miles.  Chris then led the remaining 10 hikers up to the back door into Hawks Cave and then through the cave on the state park trail down to the road and followed the road back to the cars.  This added an extra 1.25 miles for those that chose to go.  All of the hikers were regulars except one hiker that traveled the farthest coming all the way from Monticello, IL which is 3 hours north near Champaign.   Great hike and thanks for leading Chris Drone.

See everyone on the trail Next Saturday, at Dutchman Lake, 10 am. William (Bill) Gilmour

October 16, 2021 – Twin Towers Hiking Summary

Sat. Oct. 16th, Bill Gilmour led 18 other hikers into a 6 mile hike East of the Garden of Gods area. We had about 6 new (to the Trail Society) hikers today. We started from the large parking lot just east of Forest road, near the Knights of the Golden Circle rock formation, which was our 1st stop. We continued  down the trail and headed down into the valley., then up to the bluff line. We headed to Buzzard roost, then onto a deep slot canyon, which was over 100 feet deep. We met with horse rider groups several times during the day. We stopped for lunch at Whiskey cave, and found the Lepidodendron fossil.  Then onto the rock formation known as Twin Towers, where we posed for the group picture.  With the much cooler (20 degrees) temperatures, and clear skies, it was an Excellent day for hiking.

  See ya on the trail Next Saturday, at Ferne Clyffe State Park, 10 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Chris Drone

Saturday, October 23, 2021 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail announces its third scheduled hike of the Fall, 2021 hiking season, on Saturday, October 23, at Ferne Clyffe State Park in Johnson County. The hike is free and open to the public. This will be a hike of just under six miles, intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are strongly recommended, and hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please. 

     Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot near the main waterfall. After entering the park off Route 37, turn left at the first stop sign and then turn right at the lake.  For information or directions, call (618) 926-3250.

October 9, 2021 – Jackson Hollow Trail 49 Hiking Summary

Shawn Gossman led 21 other hikers into the Jackson Falls area today. It Was Quite warm, with well-above normal temperatures. We had at least 6 new hikers, 2 from the Greater Chicago area, and 2 just a few miles from their home, and 1 ‘practicing’ for a “through’ hike on the River to River Trail. The day was dry, so no “water falls” were seen at all. That fact also made any stream crossings pretty easy.  The area was quite crowded, as there were many rock climbers of all ages, and from several surrounding states. The parking area was full, with many also camping. We hiked well over 7 miles. We went ‘down’ through the “keyhole, then ‘back up” through the same spot. We used mainly trail 049, down to the Millstone lake proximity, ate lunch and took the requisite group picture at the old ‘hippie’ bus, and then looped back on Trail 049, along the edge of Millstone lake for a while. Interestingly, we never heard a train, being in the area of the track as long as we were.  Several horse riders were also out enjoying the day and scenery.

Our hike next Saturday, (10-16-21) is the Twin Towers hike, including Whiskey cave. Bill Gilmour is the leader. Meet at 10 am at the large Knights of the Golden Circle parking lot. Remember, DO NOT use Forest Road, as it is Closed due to Bridge Repair by the Saline county highway dept., South of Glen O. Jones Lake. Come in from the Karbers Ridge blacktop.

See ya ‘out on the trail’.

Respectfully submitted

Chris Drone

Saturday, October 16, 2021 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its second guided hike of the 2021 fall hiking season, on Saturday, October 16, at  the Twin Towers area of Hardin and Gallatin counties. The hike is free and open to the public. This will be a rather challenging hike of a little over six miles, including ascent of several hills, and is intended for people in good condition 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 the Knights of the Golden Circle parking area, on the east side of Forest Road, about three quarters of a mile north of the entrance to Garden of the Gods. Because of road work on Forest Road north of the parking area, hikers are advised to approach from the south. For information or directions, call (270) 331-1553.

Saturday, October 9, 2021 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society will hold its first guided hike of the Fall 2021 hiking season at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 9, at Jackson Falls in Pope County. This hike is free and open to the public. Turn south off Ozark Road onto Jackson Falls Road (also known as Glen St. Falls Road) about four miles east of Ozark Illinois, and continue south for about two miles to the parking area. This hike is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. The descent to the floor of Jackson Hollow can be rugged and tricky, so hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. All participants will be expected to sign a waiver of liability. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please. For further information or directions, you may call (618) 694-7034.

River-to-River Trail Society Announces Fall, 2021 Hiking Schedule

The River-to-River Trail Society announces that this fall it will once again offer a series of guided hikes in and near the Shawnee National Forest. All hikes are free and open to the public. Although the hikes vary in level of difficulty, all are intended for people in good health who have done some hiking in the past. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are strongly recommended. All hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please.

In order to protect the health of leaders and hikers, all hikes will be either a loop or out-and-back, so as not to require group transportation. All hikers will be responsible for transporting themselves to the trailhead, and all will be expected to sign a waiver of liability. Wherever possible, social distancing is expected and, wherever appropriate, masks are recommended. Any other conditions required by executive order of the Governor or recommendations of the CDC must be complied with.

For those that are interested, you can download a PDF version of the schedule to print out by clicking on this link:

Press-Release-20211001Download


The Society’s first hike will be on Saturday, October 9. Shawn Gossman will lead a hike at Jackson Falls in Pope County. Hikers should gather at 10:00 a.m. at the Jackson Falls parking lot, about four miles east of Ozark, Illinois, and about two miles south of Ozark Road.

The Society’s second hike will be on Saturday, October 16, at the Twin Towers area of Gallatin and Hardin Counties. Society President Bill Gilmour will be the leader. Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the Knights of the Golden Circle parking lot, east of Forest Road, 3/4 miles north of the entrance to Garden of the Gods. Forest Road is closed north of the parking lot, so hikers should approach from the south.

For the Society’s third hike, on Saturday, October 23, Chris Drone will lead a hike at Ferne Clyffe State Park in Johnson County. Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot near the main waterfall trailhead.

The Society’s fourth hike will be on Saturday, October 30, at Dutchman Lake in Johnson County. Bill Gilmour will lead. Meet at 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot for Dutchman Lake.

On Saturday, November 6, Fred Scott will lead the Society’s fifth hike in the High Knob area of Gallatin County., on Trails 153, 180, 180C, and 185, as well as a portion of the River-to-River Trail Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m. at the parking lot atop High Knob. Please drive slowly as you pass through the horse campground.

On Saturday, November 13, Mart Watson will lead a hike in Pope County at the west side of Jackson Hollow and Cove Hollow, an area known to rock climbers as “the Promised Land.” Hikers should meet at 10:00 a.m., at East Trigg Trailhead, on the west side of Trigg Tower Road, a mile north of Trigg Tower, and about four miles northeast of Simpson, Illinois.

The Society’s seventh hike of the season, and its final scheduled hike of the year, will be on Saturday, November 27. Gillum and Vicki Ferguson will lead a post-Thanksgiving hike at a location to be announced later.

The River-to-River Trail is a hiking and equestrian trail which stretches 157 miles through Southern Illinois between Elizabethtown on the Ohio River and Grand Tower on the Mississippi. The River-to-River Trail Society is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation, founded by John O’Dell in 1993. All its work is done by unpaid volunteers. Besides its program of free public hikes, the Society engages in trail maintenance and advocacy, and publishes an online guidebook to the entire River-to-River Trail, which can be downloaded free of charge at the Society’s website: rivertorivertrail.net. Patches for the Society can be purchased for $5.00 during the Society’s public hikes.