As a final update to the subject reroute, the entire new trail is now completed and blazed. The trail maps 15 & 16 in Avenza have been updated and now are available for downloading to your device. There is still some minor trail work to be done on the west side of the Dutchman Lake Dam, but it should not affect any trail users. However, if you do encounter the Forest Service employees working on the trail with their small dozer and excavator, please exercise caution when walking around the crew. As a reminder, the trail changes are shown in the following image.
Just giving everyone a heads up, the FS will be putting on our Herbicide Applicator training this month.
This training is for our volunteers who attend our invasive species removal events in spring and fall. Volunteers will only be allow to apply herbicide to the woody stumps while being supervised during the work event, and because of this there is no test required besides a quick field position when FS staff will watch volunteers practice applying herbicide. To sign up for the training please use the link below and I have also provided the invasive species events scheduled so far this year. Please pass it along to any of your members who would be interested in this training.
Herbicide Applicator Training
Date: February 22, 2025
Location: Hidden Springs Ranger Station, Vienna IL
The River to River Trail Society announces its 1st public hike of the 2025 spring hiking season on March 1st. Hiking: 1000 Drips (Pope County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a thru-hike approximately 5.2 miles in length, 3.5 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-384-1321 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at Indian Kitchen Trailhead. 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. We will have plans to shuttle for this hike. There are creek beds which will need to be crossed. If it has rained prior to this hike the creek beds may contain water and the hikers’ shoes may become wet when crossing the creek beds. Rocks may have to be walked. For a map to the meeting location at Indian Kitchen Trailhead click this blue link Indian Kitchen 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 Indian Kitchen Trailhead meeting area for your signature.
