On the cooler, cloudy morning of Saturday, November 30th, 15 hikers gathered in the camping ground of Giant City State Park to be led on the last hike of the Fall 2024 hiking season, by Bob Mulcahy. We had several new hikers, some who were camping, and even 1 hiker got dropped off by a friend. Vehicles had been spotted at strategic places. Bob had it planned so that hikers could do about 5.5 miles, 9 miles, or even the full round trip of 12 miles. We crossed several streams that had a small amount of water, but, no real challenges. We did see a few scattered “frost flowers” since the temperatures had dropped enough. The sun never really broke through the clouds for the day. Most all the leaves were off trees. The 1st hiker left when we got close to the River to River trail, and he hiked on back to Makanda. We continued on, above another trail offering some nice views. There were a few small, low bluffs, but, nothing that was outstanding. We made it 5.5 miles, to the picnic table area where we all stopped, ate, and then took the group picture. Sam Morales had parked his truck out on the road, and 9 total hikers decided they had enough exercise for the day. Bob and 6 others continued on, and 4 made the full round trip of 12 miles back to the starting point. 

I will make a later post of some numbers for this fall, but we, the Trail Society want to Thank All the hikers who came for any hike this fall. I felt that we had the best “numbers of hikers’ that we have had in several years. We are already planning for next spring. I will be exploring and scouting an area or 2 over my Christmas break from teaching. If you have any feedback about hikes, Please let us the board members know, through texting, email or social media messaging. If you are interested in becoming  a hike leader, we would be glad to have that sort of help also. We look forward to seeing you All soon, and have a Peaceful, Happy, Merry Christmas and a Bountiful, Happy New Year of 2025.  Until then, as always ,”See Ya’ll On the Trail”. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Chris Drone. 

The Trail Society would also like extend a sincere thank you to Society Vice President Mr. Chris Drone for all his efforts in taking the group pictures, handling hike sign in sheets and doing all of the hike summaries for the 2024 hiking seasons.