Sunday November 12, 2023 Hike Summary

Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12th, 2023, Vicki & Gillum Ferguson led 8 other hikers on a trek into Secret Canyon. 5 of the hikers were new to hiking with the Trail Society. We met at Cedar Grove church on Rt. 145, then proceeded to move to Blanchard/New Liberty Church. From there we went down the roadway, found the creek bed and generally headed west. We worked our way down a dry waterfall, into 1 small secluded area, then back out and down to Secret Canyon. There are some nice, medium-sized bluffs, with a small shelter or two, and a large horse tie-up area. We then went pretty well back out the way we had hiked in. The sun was out and made for a great, short, Sunday afternoon exercise hike. 

Since we do Not hike on the shotgun deer weekends, our  next hike is not until Sat. November 25th, 10 am in the Jackson Hole/Double branch hole area, meeting at the old Shawnee Mart location on Rt. 145, Eddyville.  For more information (there is No limit to the number of hikers, or need to sign-up), call 618-759-1924. It might be a good way to work off a few ounces of the Thanksgiving feast. 

Until then, “See ya’ll On the Trail” and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Respectfully submitted, 

Chris Drone

Saturday, November 25, 2023 Hike Announcement

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its 9th public hike of the 2023 fall hiking season on Nov. 25th. Hiking: Jackson Hole/Double Branch Hole (Pope County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a hike of moderate difficulty, 6 miles in length, 5 hours hiking time. This will be a loop hike. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-759-1924 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the old 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. Hikers will need to shuttle to the hiking area due to limited parking. There are 6 streams to be crossed and hikers may need to walk rocks when crossing streams. Hikers’ shoes and or boots may become wet when crossing streams if it has rained. 60%-70% of the hike is off-trail. Some steep grades. There is some shimmying down rock in Jackson Hole and hikers will need to sit down on rock ledge and ease down to next level, just a few inches. There may be some slick rock if it has rained. For a map to the meeting location at the old Shawnee Mart at Rt 145 and Eddyville/Golconda Rd. click on this blue link Old Shawnee Mart 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. 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 website 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 Old Shawnee Mart Eddyville meeting area for your signature.