Saturday, November 2, 2024 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 5th public hike of the 2024 fall hiking season on Nov. 2nd. Hiking: Panther Den (Johnson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a medium loop hike approximately 3.5 miles in length, 3 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 S. Rocky Comfort Road Trailhead area. A Crab Orchard Pass is required for parking. We will shuttle for this hike. 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 6 stream crossings and hikers may have to walk rocks to cross streams if it has rained. Some rock will be slick if it has rained. Hikers may also have the opportunity to hike up the bluff to view the panther’s head. Map #19 of the River to River Map Bundle can be used for tracking if using Avenza. For a map to the meeting location at the S. Rocky Comfort Road Trailhead click this blue link S. Rocky Comfort Road Trailhead 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 S. Rocky Comfort Road Trailhead meeting area for your signature.

Saturday October 19, 2024 Hike Summary

Hikers met at the parking lot of the Michael Wolfe memorial wetlands. Melanie Kasson was our leader of 13 hikers for the day. It was sunny, bright, clear blue skies, a perfect day for a nice hike. Several went over to the pond before the hike began, as there was an eagle perched in the top of a dead tree on the west side of the pond.  We took off a few minutes after 10 am, after introductions had been made and headed North on the trail. We branched ‘left’ at the Y and headed into Tupelo swamp. Conditions are very dry. It was very easy to observe the “knees” on the cypress trees. This was the 1st hike this fall that we have not seen a snake, even though we were near a swamp, and it was the time of the year for them to be moving to their winter dwelling areas.  Bill Gilmour took the group pic near the swamp. We hiked about 3.4 miles, and ended back at the main parking area/pond observation spot, where most took the opportunity to sit, chat, look at the pond and eat lunch. 

Next weeks’ hike will be at Little Grand Canyon. 

Until then, “See ya’ll on the trail”.