Saturday April 11, 2026 Hike Summary

The sun broke thru in the South side of the Crab Orchard National Wildlife refuge just in perfect timing Saturday, April 11th, for Cathy Jennings to lead 18 hikers on about a 4 mile hike on the Wild Turkey Trail. Birds were chirping, but, we did not see any other wildlife. This trail is well used and maintained, so it is very easy to find and follow. Cathy had been able to get, at no cost, 10 day passes, which she put in all our vehicles. People ventured out onto the overlook sites, and at the streams, which, having had no recent rainfall, were very clear…enough for some to spot fish. We did meet quite a few other hikers out for the day. The waterfall was dribbling…barely. We ate at some fallen logs just off the trail, where we also took the group picture. We were done in just about 3 hrs, which, for some, meant they might have to go home and do “real” work, instead of having fun out on the trail. 

Next weeks’ hike, will be led by Fred Scott, meeting at a shelter to the east of the old churches, at Dixon Springs State park. 

Until then, “See ya’ll On the Trail”. 

Saturday, April 11, 2026 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 6th public hike of the 2026 Spring hiking season on April 11th  Hiking: Wild Turkey Trail (Williamson County). This hike is free and open to the public. It will have a proliferation of wildflowers this time of year. This will be a moderate in and out lollipop hike approximately 4.6 miles in length approximately 3-4 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-759-1924 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Wild Turkey 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. There are stream crossings which will require hikers to walk rocks and or slick rock in order to cross the streams and the rocks may be slippery. We have limited parking, park up the hill to the left, This hike may be tracked using the Avenza App. map to use, SNF Crab Orchard Lake Quad map. For a map to the meeting location at the Wild Turkey Trailhead click this blue link Wild Turkey 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 Wild Turkey Trailhead meeting area for your signature. Parking passes are required for this hike. A Crab Orchard parking pass is required for this hike and can be purchased via the internet from Recreation.gov. An America The Beautiful Pass will also work as a parking pass.

Saturday October 18, 2025 Hike Summary

22 hikers gathered on a warm Saturday, October 18th, to be led down the Wild Turkey trail in the Crab Orchard National Wildlife refuge and other trails by Cathy Jennings, todays’ hike leader. We had 1 new hiker from the Carbondale area and the rest were returning hikers. Skies were cloudy, and there was a chance of rain, but, fortunately, no precipitation occurred at all. We crossed several bridges and streams, saw several “potential” waterfalls, but, with the continued dry weather, just no “moving” water. We stopped about noon, ate lunch, and then took the group picture against a background of a small rock outcrop. We encountered a few other hikers, told them about our group, and were back at the gathering point before 130pm. We hiked about 4.5 miles.