Saturday, November 30, 2024 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 8th public hike of the 2024 fall hiking season on Nov. 30th. Hiking: Red Cedar Trail (Jackson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a loop hike of moderate difficulty 12 miles in length 6 hours hiking time. A shorter hike can also be done of 6 miles in length and 4 hours hiking time. Hikers who perform the shorter version will need to shuttle back to the meeting location. The leader of this hike can be reached at 708-471-7500 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Giant City Campground. 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. There are two stream crossings which may be flowing water if it has rained and the hiker’s boots/shoes may become wet. Some steep grades. Hikers who perform the 6-mile version of this hike will need to shuttle back to the meeting area. If you are using the Avenza app for tracking your hikes, map #21 of the River to River bundle can be used for tracking this hike. For a map to the meeting location click this blue link Giant City Campground Red Cedar Trail 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 Giant City Campground meeting area for your signature.

Saturday, November 16, 2024 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 7th public hike of the 2024 fall hiking season on Nov. 16th. Hiking: Secret Canyon (Pope County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderate loop hike approximately 4 miles in length, 3 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 the New Liberty Blanchard Cemetery. 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. There is one wide stream which will need to be crossed and hikers may need to walk rocks to cross this stream and their shoes and or boots may become wet if it has rained. If you are using Avenza for tracking you can use map #8 of the River to River map bundle which can be downloaded from the Avenza map store. For a map to the meeting location at the New Liberty Blanchard Cemetery click this blue link New Liberty Blanchard Cemetery 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 New Liberty Blanchard Cemetery meeting area for your signature.

Saturday November 2, 2024 Hike Summary

Ok, so, the leader of the hike on Saturday November 2nd was “almost late” getting to the meeting spot on Rocky Comfort road, and, to Top that off, the leader ( and writer of these summaries) is late getting the summary written. 

First off, I want to say a Huge Thank You to Crab Orchard National wildlife refuge for letting the River to River Trail Society use their parking spot on Rocky Comfort road for our meeting & parking spot. Secondly, I want to Thank all of the hikers, old, new, returnees, first-timers for coming to the hike. We had 25 hikers. Holy Cow!! (as Haray Caray used to say). It was a Wonderful day for hiking, with temps almost perfect. We made introductions, then loaded into vehicles to move to the Panther Den parking area, with several other vehicles already there. We hit the trail then branched off onto Trail 371. We got to the “sliced rocks” area, and Bob Mulcahy guided some hikers to the upper/top area to yell back down to us. We moved on, crossing several dry streambeds. We saw several pairs of other hikers out for a good walk. Getting to the big shelter bluff, we took the lunch break, took the group picture, then climbed up, out and wound our way back to the parking lot. We all loaded back into the vehicles, back to the parking lot on Rocky Comfort road, and many dispersed towards home. A few, led by Bob Mulcahy, did a short “after-hike” finding a Huge fireplace out in the woods. It was a beautiful day for a good hike. Thanks to all who came.  Until next time, “See ya’ll on the Trail. 

   The hike of Sat. November 9th, led by Cathy Jennings, will be in the Cove Hollow area, on the West side of Cedar lake, meeting at the end of Boat Dock road, west of Rt. 127. 

Saturday, November 9, 2024 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 6th public hike of the 2024 fall hiking season on Nov. 9th. Hiking: Cove Hollow Cedar Lake (Jackson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderate through hike approximately 5 miles in length, 3 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 Cedar Lake Trail Head. 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. Hikers will need to shuttle for this hike and some vehicles will need to be shuttled to Cove Hollow Trailhead. For those who want to track this hike, the Pomona & Cobden topo maps can be downloaded from the Avenza store. For a map to the meeting location at Cedar Lake Trailhead click this blue link Cedar Lake 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 Cedar Lake Trailhead meeting area for your signature.

Saturday October 26, 2024 Hike Summary

It was a Beautiful day for a hike on Saturday, October 26th. 19 hikers gathered at the Little Grand Canyon trail head parking lot to be led by Cody Evans. This was Codys’ 2nd time for leading a hike and he did a Great job. Thanks Sir!!  We had 5-6 new hikers to the Trail Society, including a couple from just across the river in Cape Girardeau. The parking lot filled up with many other hikers. Fall leaf colors were on Full display with greens, yellows, reds & orange prominent. We went down the trail “counter-clockwise, heading down and into the  canyon.  We got to the bottom, crossed the dry streams, saw a cotton-mouth snake on a log, (3rd hike out of 4 this fall we have seen a snake of some sort).  Then, we started working our way up. There were so many hikers out, that we met several who had been at the parking lot and went out “clockwise”. We took the group picture at the scenic overlook, and didn’t need any tripod setup…we just asked another hiker to take the pictures. We then, “added” 2 hikers. They had taken a wrong turn, got to the parking lot about 10 minutes late, and joined up with us, so, net, we had 21 hikers in our group for the day.  We got back to the parking lot just after noon, where some left, some ate their lunch, and some went on an “afterhike”, led by Bob Mulcahy.  The regular hike covered about 3.5 miles for the day. 

One hiker did a very nice deed. David Cooper had a wire coat hanger, and helped a woman & her 2 sons, who had locked all their keys in their vehicle. He stayed, and “worked” the wire to get the job done. 

Next weeks’ hike, is in the Panther Den, led by Chris Drone. Until then, “See Ya’ll on the Trail. 

Saturday, November 2, 2024 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 5th public hike of the 2024 fall hiking season on Nov. 2nd. Hiking: Panther Den (Johnson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a medium loop hike approximately 3.5 miles in length, 3 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-926-3250 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the S. Rocky Comfort Road Trailhead area. A Crab Orchard Pass is required for parking. We will shuttle for this hike. 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. There are 6 stream crossings and hikers may have to walk rocks to cross streams if it has rained. Some rock will be slick if it has rained. Hikers may also have the opportunity to hike up the bluff to view the panther’s head. Map #19 of the River to River Map Bundle can be used for tracking if using Avenza. For a map to the meeting location at the S. Rocky Comfort Road Trailhead click this blue link S. Rocky Comfort Road 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 S. Rocky Comfort Road Trailhead meeting area for your signature.

Saturday October 19, 2024 Hike Summary

Hikers met at the parking lot of the Michael Wolfe memorial wetlands. Melanie Kasson was our leader of 13 hikers for the day. It was sunny, bright, clear blue skies, a perfect day for a nice hike. Several went over to the pond before the hike began, as there was an eagle perched in the top of a dead tree on the west side of the pond.  We took off a few minutes after 10 am, after introductions had been made and headed North on the trail. We branched ‘left’ at the Y and headed into Tupelo swamp. Conditions are very dry. It was very easy to observe the “knees” on the cypress trees. This was the 1st hike this fall that we have not seen a snake, even though we were near a swamp, and it was the time of the year for them to be moving to their winter dwelling areas.  Bill Gilmour took the group pic near the swamp. We hiked about 3.4 miles, and ended back at the main parking area/pond observation spot, where most took the opportunity to sit, chat, look at the pond and eat lunch. 

Next weeks’ hike will be at Little Grand Canyon. 

Until then, “See ya’ll on the trail”. 

Saturday, October 26, 2024 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 4th public hike of the 2024 fall hiking season on Oct. 26th. Hiking: Little Grand Canyon (Jackson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a loop hike approximately 3 miles in length, 3 hours hiking time. This hike is rated difficult. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-559-0686 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Little Grand Canyon 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. If it rains prior to the hike the trail may become muddy and the rock will be slick. The Gorham Topo map can be used for tracking if using Avenza. For a map to the meeting location at Little Grand Canyon Trailhead click this blue link Little Grand Canyon 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 Little Grand Canyon Trailhead meeting area for your signature.

Saturday October 12, 2024 Hike Summary

On Saturday October 12th, 14 hikers met at the New Simpson Hill school on a beautiful morning, full of sun and very favorable hiking temperatures. Bill Gilmour was the leader again today, and after group introductions, we loaded into vehicles and headed South on U.S. Rt. 45 for a couple of miles, before turning East to go down Taylor Ridge lane. We headed down the trail to Max Creek. Todays’ hike was kind of a ‘reverse” hike, in some ways, of hikes we have done in years past. We did have 1 new hiker from the Logan/Thompsonville, IL. area. We, early on, saw another snake today, a black rat snake, that several stopped to watch it climb a small tree. A stop was made at an overhang bluff called Cougar cave, then we continued on down to Max creek. We crossed it multiple times during the hike. It had water, but, little to no flow. We made a quick stop at a waterfall spot that we have often ate lunch at on previous hikes, but, kept moving on down the trails. We got to the vortex, and also found the picnic table that was set out last year by some hard-working Trail Society members. It was still safe & sound. We made it to Gay cave for our lunch stop and group picture. Several got up into the rock “fort” that had been constructed. We moved out, and did some bushwacking along the lower part of a bluff, then climbed up onto the bluff, and worked our way out. We hiked about 4.5 miles for the day. We also saw 2 equestrian groups during the hike. 

Next weeks’ hike will be on the Tupelo Trail North of Belknap. 

Until then, “See ya’ll On the Trail”

Saturday, October 19, 2024 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 3rd public hike of the 2024 fall hiking season on Oct. 19th. Hiking: Tupelo Trail (Johnson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a in and out hike approximately 3.5 miles in length, 2 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-791-3086 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Michael W. Wolff Memorial Wetlands 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. The snack break will take place after the completion of the hike next to the Michael Wolff Memorial. There is a vault restroom at the trailhead. If using Avenza for tracking download the Karnak Topo Map from the app store. For a map to the meeting location at Michael Wolff Memorial Wetlands Trailhead click this blue link Michael W. Wolff Memorial  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 Michael W. Wolff Memorial Wetlands Trailhead meeting area for your signature.