Dutchman Lake Work Day

The Trail Society is working together with the Back Country Horseman to try and clear the River to River Trail between Dutchman Lake and Twinz Lane. Some Society members hiked the trail late last year and confirmed that over 30 pines have fallen in the area making it extremely difficult to pass. This will be a continuation of our Nov 16, 2019 work day when 60-70 pine trees were removed from the north half of the woods.

The work day is scheduled for Saturday February 18, 2023 with an inclement weather date of the February 25. Workers will need to meet at the Forest Service Office in Vienna, IL at 8:30 in the morning and car pool to the trailhead at the end of Twinz Lane. There is limited parking along Twinz Lane. Certified chain saw operators from the Backcountry Horseman will 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 2-3 miles because it is a 1/2 mile hike to where the downed trees are located. The goal will be to clear the R2R trail west of Dutchman Lake. 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. Thanks in advance.

A photo of pines that have fallen over the trail.

Ameren Work along R2R Trail

This is a notice to all potential R2R Trail hikers that will be hiking from HWY45 to the Tunnel Hill State Trail on Map 15. I have been notified by the FS and Ameren Energy that Ameren Energy will be working on a Reliability Project in the area by upgrading poles and other aspects of some power lines in the area. It is noted that Ameren will have warning signs posted during any on going activities. Because there is no reasonable detour, you may have to hike through an active work area at any time between Jan 30 and Jun 30, 2023. Ameren plans on using farm fields and a short section of the R2R Trail (Orange Line on Image) to get to their transmission line. Ameren has committed to leaving the trail in better condition than it is now. Please exercise caution and give the right of way to any operating equipment you may encounter when transiting the area and notify workers if possible.

Ameren Image
Map 15

New R2R Trail Avenza Maps Released

Today, the Trail Society released all new maps for the River to River Trail including the Battery Rock leg. The River to River Trail Bundle and Battery Rock Leg Bundle on the Avenza website have was also updated to include all of the new maps. Users that have previously downloaded any of the maps individually or as bundles should automatically be updated if the user chooses to do so.

The new maps include the 2021 half reroute that Giant City SP did just west of the lodge. They also include the obvious reroute necessitated by the State of Illinois DOT’s removal of the HWY27 bridge removal near Alto Pass. The trail was also corrected on some maps where it was found or reported to be in error. The errors were found just east of Dutchman Lake, near Little Lusk Creek and just west of Cedar Lake.

If any errors are detected please let us know by commenting on this post. Thanks