The River to River Trail Society announces its 1^st public hike of the 2026 Spring hiking season on March 7th.  Hiking: Lusk Creek Indian Kitchen Wilderness (Pope County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderately difficult hike approximately 5 miles in length, 3-4 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-401-2699 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Indian Kitchen Trailhead. This hike is intended for people in very 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. Check the post on the River to River Trail Society website  www.rivertorivertrail.net for this current week’s hike information including driving directions to the meeting area for this week’s hike. For a map to the meeting location Indian Kitchen Trailhead click this blue link  Indian Kitchen Trailhead, a map will open up. 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  https://rivertorivertrail.net/ under the Society Information tab. The waiver will be at the Indian Kitchen Trailhead for your signature.