Saturday, May 6, 2023 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its 10th public hike of the 2023 spring hiking season on May 6th. Hiking: Max Creek (Johnson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a 5 mile loop hike. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-841-4838 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Taylor Methodist Church. This hike is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and snacks, No dogs please. No streams to cross, but if the hike leader decides to visit a waterfall, a creek may have to be crossed. May be some off trail hiking.

For a map to Taylor Methodist Church click this blue link Taylor Methodist Church and a map will open up, and then click the directions button and a driving map will be created which will allow you to plan your driving directions to the meeting area. Driving directions from the north: From the intersection of Hwy 45 and Hwy 145 in Harrisburg go south on Hwy 45 for 25.7 miles. Turn left into Taylor Methodist Church. Driving directions from the south: From the intersection of Hwy 45 and Hwy 146 in Vienna go north on Hwy 45 for 5.8 miles. Turn right into Taylor Methodist Church. If driving from the south on I-24, exit 16 for Hwy 146 may be closed.

Prior to participating in any hikes, the River-to-River Trail Society requests that all hikers read the 2023 Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the River-to-River web site at the following link River-to-River Trail Society Information and then sign off on this waiver prior to the beginning of the hike.  A copy of the waiver will be at the Taylor Methodist Church meeting area for your signature.

Saturday April 22, 2023 Hike Summary

Saturday, April 22, was cool, but sunny, with a bit of wind. 11 of us gathered at Fishing Hole lane, Dutchman lake, not far from the boat ramp,  North of Vienna, and our co-leaders for the hike were Cathy Jennings & Melanie Kasson. Most were seasoned hikers, but, we did have 1 new hiker from Wycliffe KY. We first saw a fossil in a stream bed…a Lepidodendron, which was a type of “fern-tree”. It leaves impressions in sandstone rock. We were able to see 4 waterfalls today and then “walk on top” of each of them.  We also walked under the “Hanging boulder”.  We ate lunch and took the group pic at the shelter bluff. We hiked just less than 4 miles, and were done by about 1 pm.  

Next weeks’ hike will be South of Sand Cave and the Ruby Falls/upper Bay creek area, led by Chris Drone.  We will meet at the old Shawneemart on Rt. 145 at Eddyville, IL. at 10 am.  Until then, “See ya’ll On the Trail”. 

Saturday, April 29, 2023 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its 9th public hike of the 2023 spring hiking season on April 29th. Hiking: Ruby Falls/Bay Creek (Pope County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, 6 miles in length, 4.5 hours hiking time. We will have to shuttle to get to the hiking area. This will be a loop hike. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-926-3250 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Shawnee Mart Eddyville. This hike is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and snacks. No dogs please.

There will be several streams to cross which may contain moving water and hikers may need to walk rocks in order to cross some of the streams. Some of this hike will take place on rocky terrain and sloped areas. 75% of this hike will be on trail. For a map to the Shawnee Mart Eddyville click this blue link Shawnee Mart Eddyville and a map will open up, and then click the Directions button and a driving map will be created which will allow you to plan your driving directions to the parking area. Driving directions from the north: From the intersection of Hwy 45 and Hwy 145 turn southeast on Hwy 145-S and go 17 miles. Turn left into Shawnee Mart parking area. Driving directions from the south: From the intersection of Hwy 146 and Hwy 147 Turn Northeast on Hwy 147 and go 12.7 miles. Turn left onto Hwy 145 and go 5.4 miles. Turn right into Shawnee Mart parking area.

Prior to participating in any hikes, the River-to-River Trail Society requests that all hikers read the 2023 Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the River-to-River web site at the following link River-to-River Trail Society Information and then sign off on this waiver prior to the beginning of the hike.  A copy of the waiver will be at the Shawnee Mart meeting area for your signature.

Saturday April 15, 2023 Hike Summary

On Sat April 15th, 18 hikers met Leader Bob Mulcahy on Cedar Grove Rd, where the River to River Trail crosses. We had  hikers from Chicago to Metropolis and 1 from Missouri. We were ‘on trail ‘ most all day long. We headed East on the River to River trail towards Crow Knob, which was our 1st ‘pause’. We all clambered to the top, then worked our way Northward to the Ecological area boundary. On down the trail we explored an old homesite, as evidenced by 3 things.. a large area of daffodils, a well and a very Large, old tree.We ate lunch a bit early, due to the possibility of incoming rain, but, we were done way early. We did walk thru 1 horse camp on the way out, covering just under 5 miles for the day, and the “Eagle-eyed” hikers picked up about 20+ lbs. of trash for the day.  On Sat. April 22, we meet at Dutchman lake. Our Co-leaders will be Cathy Jennings and Melanie Kasson. We should see a ‘hanging’ boulder and several waterfalls. Until then, “See ya’ll on the trail”.!!

Saturday, April 22, 2023 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its 8th public hike of the 2023 spring hiking season on April 22nd. Hiking: Dutchman Lake Loop (Johnson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This hike will be of moderate difficulty, 5 miles in length, 4 hours hiking time. This will be a loop hike. The leader of the hike can be reached at 618-759-1924 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at Dutchman Lake. This hike is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and waterproof boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and snacks. No dogs please. There will be several small stream crossings associated with hike and some of these streams may contain moving water. Hike may need to walk rocks when crossing these streams. Some of the hike will take place on rocky terrain and sloped areas.

For a map to Dutchman Lake click this blue link Dutchman Lake and a map will open up, and then click the Directions button and a driving map will be created which will allow you to plan your driving directions to the parking area. Driving directions from the east: From the intersection of Hwy 45 and Tunnel Hill Rd. turn northwest onto Tunnel Hill Rd. and go 5.6 miles. Turn left onto CR 1575W/Dutchman Lake Rd and go 3.4 miles. Turn right onto Fishing Hole Lane and go 0.7 miles to parking area. Driving directions from the west: From the intersection of Hwy 37 and Tunnel Hill Rd, turn east on Tunnel Hill Rd. and go 3.6 miles. Turn right onto CR 1575W/Dutchman Lake Rd and go 3.4 miles. Turn right onto Fishing Hole Lane and go 0.7 miles to parking area. If driving from the south on I-24, exit 16 for Hwy 146 may be closed.

Prior to participating in any hikes, the River-to-River Trail Society requests that all hikers read the 2023 Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the River-to-River web site at the following link River-to-River Trail Society Information and then sign off on this waiver prior to the beginning of the hike.  A copy of the waiver will be at the Dutchman Lake meeting area for your signature.

Saturday April 8, 2023 Hike Summary

Saturday April 8th, Steve Melville led 12  hikers into the woods just North of Camp Cadiz. It was a sunny day ,with a couple of new hikers, 1 from Sullivan Illinois. We were “off-trail” over 80% of the time and hiked about 4 miles. We ate lunch and took the group picture at Ripple Canyon falls. The pool of it was clear as a bell. After lunch, we found a “pothole” arch. There was just enough water to make waterfalls flow…and stream crossings fun. 

Next week, Sat, April 15th, our hike will be meeting on Cedar Grove Road, (west of Eddyville) to hike to Crow Knob, and several trails around that area, led by Bob Mulcahy. After that, we only have 3 hikes left to do this spring. Until then, “See ya’ll On the Trail”. 

Saturday, April 15, 2023 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its 7th public hike of the 2023 spring hiking season on April 15th. Hiking: Crow Knob and Miller Grove National Historic area (Pope County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, 5 miles in length 3.5 hours hiking time. This will be a loop hike. The leader of this hike can be reached at 708-471-7500 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at intersection of Cedar Grove Rd & the R2R Trail. This hike is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and snacks. No dogs please. There are 5 stream crossings which may contain moving water and hikers may need to walk rocks in order to cross some of the streams. Some of this hike will take place on rocky terrain and sloped areas.

For a map to the intersection of Cedar Grove Rd. and the R2R trail click this blue link April 15th hike, parking and a map will open up, then click the Directions button and a driving map will be created which will allow you to plan your driving directions to the parking area. Driving directions from the north: From the intersection of Hwy 145 and Water Tower Road turn west onto Water Tower Road and go 0.8 miles. Turn left on Archery Road and go 0.7 miles. Turn right onto Ozark Road and go 1.3 miles. Turn left onto Cedar Grove Road and go 3.1 miles. Parking will be on the right. Driving directions from the south: From the intersection of Hwy 147 and Cedar Grove Road turn north onto Cedar Grove Road and go 3.0 miles. Parking will be on the left.

Prior to participating in any hikes, the River-to-River Trail Society requests that all hikers read the 2023 Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the River-to-River web site at the following link River-to-River Trail Society Information and then sign off on this waiver prior to the beginning of the hike. A copy of the waiver will be at the meeting area for your signature.

Saturday April 1, 2023 Hike Summary

On Saturday April 1st, 7 hikers (none were ‘new’ hikers) met Sam Morales, hike leader, at New Simpson HIll school, on a sunny, windy, cool morning. We then moved out to the Gum Springs Trailhead. The parking area already had 2 horse trailers.  We headed out on the River to River trail. We had just enough rain the previous day or so, to make the trails a little bit, but not “too” muddy, and yet make streams flow with waterfalls nicely flowing. We were easily able to see several cascades during the entirety of the hike. Our 1st main stop, at the top, then the bottom, was Easter basket Falls. It was flowing nicely. On our way over to the next spot, we met a small crew of horses and riders. We then got to the Easter Basket arch, which 2 hikers took turns being “king”. On the way to our next stop, we saw a deer, down in a creek, which was either caught in something or injured. It eventually got free, but was hobbling We were able to find 2 windows, 1 we knew about, another was pretty small, that maybe a fist could go through. We then made it to J. D. Falls, where we stopped and ate lunch. We also took the group picture at J.D. Falls.  We then climbed up and went to the sandstone barrens above the J.D. falls, which had water coming in from 2 directions. We encountered another small group of horses/mules with their riders, which hike leader Sam Morales helped with some directions. We hiked a bit over 5 miles. Some went the short trek over to Hogg Bluff, which is on Camp Ondessonk property afterwards. 

I am sorry this gets out so late. It is Not Pres. Bill Gilmours’ fault that this is just now coming out. Mine. 

The hike this week, Saturday, April 8th, is meeting at Camp Cadiz, which is south of the Karbers Ridge blacktop. Steve Melville is leading us into some interesting areas. Until then, See Ya’ll “On the Trail”. 

Saturday, April 8, 2023 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its 6th public hike of the 2023 spring hiking season on April 8th. Hiking: Ripple Canyon Camp Cadiz (Hardin County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, 5-6 miles in length, 4-5 hours hiking time. This will be a loop hike. The leader of this hike can be reached at 314-223-3061 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at Camp Cadiz. This hike is intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Hiking sticks and boots or sturdy shoes are recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and snacks. No dogs please. There are 4 stream crossings which may contain moving water and hikers may need to walk rocks in order to cross some of the streams. The hiking route may change depending on the prior week’s rain. Some of this hike will take place on rocky terrain and sloped areas. Majority of this hike will be off trail 4 – 5 miles and or on lightly used trails.

For a map to Camp Cadiz Trailhead click this blue link Camp Cadiz and a map will open up, then click the Directions button and a driving map will be created which will allow you to plan your driving directions to Camp Cadiz, Trailhead parking is 0.2 miles down a gravel lane on north side of Camp Cadiz.  Driving directions from the east: From the intersection of Hwy 1 and CR 1000E/Cadiz Road turn southwest on CR 1000E/Cadiz Rd. and go 2.9 miles. Turn right into Camp Cadiz and follow gravel lane for 0.2 miles to actual trail head parking area. Driving directions from the west: From the intersection of Hwy 34 and CR 1180N/Karbers Ridge Road turn northeast on CR 1180N/Karbers Ridge Road and go 5.9 miles. Turn right on CR 555E/Cadiz Road and go 3.6 miles Turn left into Camp Cadiz and follow gravel lane for 0.2 miles to actual trail head parking area.

Prior to participating in any hikes, the River-to-River Trail Society requests that all hikers read the 2023 Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the River-to-River web site at the following link River-to-River Trail Society Information and then sign off on this waiver prior to the beginning of the hike. A copy of the waiver will be at the Camp Cadiz Trailhead meeting area for your signature.