The River-to-River Trail Society announces its 2^nd public hike of the 2024 spring hiking season on Mar. 9^th. Hiking: Garden of the Gods Wilderness Big H and Arch of the Gods (Saline County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderate loop hike of 5.5 miles in length, 4 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-926-3250 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Garden of the Gods picnic area. 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 for this hike. There are six stream crossings and hikers will need to walk rocks in order to cross streams. Hiker’s shoes and or boots may become wet when crossing streams if it has rained. There are also some rocky areas hikers may choose to go on and if it rains these rocky areas may become slick rock. For a map to the meeting location at the Garden of the Gods picnic area click on this blue link Garden of the Gods picnic area 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 Garden of the Gods picnic meeting area for your signature.