On Saturday, Dec. 16th, we had our last hike of the Fall 2023 hiking season. 20 hikers met the hike leader, Steve Melville, at Rim Rock parking lot and left out, with the possibility of sprinkles. Steve and 3 others had “spotted’ pickups at the end of the hike, to bring us back. We had about 4 new hikers, along with some peeps who had not been with us all fall. We headed right toward the main Rim Rock trail, then veered left, and followed a well worn path along the West base of Rim rock, exploring along, until we got to Ox Lot cave.  It is Always neat, to “view from a different direction. We then crossed the ‘dry” creek, headed to the bluff to the north side, and again turned “left” or west, and followed that bluff line around. We walked over to a “lonely” rock outcrop, and many walked on top, then around the base. We then went back to the bluffline, followed it, found a very nice, open-to-the-north shelter bluff, then made it to the “Initial Tree” area, where we ate lunch. Some saw the rock ‘fort’ and then we headed out on a trail toward the vehicles. We were on trail 184 quite a while We stopped at 2 rock shelters, which were close together, along the side of a ridge, just above trail 184. We came out to the  vehicles parked along a gravel road. The mileage for the hike was about 4.3 miles.  We did get a very few, light, misty sprinkles, enough to get some to put on their raingear, but, within 15 minutes, they were too warm, and taking it off, and stowing it in their backpacks. 

We want to say “Thank You” to all the hikers who came out to enjoy the sights of the Shawnee National Forest and surrounding areas this fall. We Do Enjoy putting on these hikes for you. and Hope you will come back next spring of 2024. Several of us will be hiking often this winter, for exercise and friendship, and, to scout for hikes for 2024.  Look for our Spring hiking schedule in about 6 weeks, And…bring a friend.

Tell ’em who you hiked with, and how much fun you had. Until then, “See ya’ll On the Trail”,