Saturday November 7, 2026 Hike Summary

It was a sunny, bright, skies of blue morning that 20 hikers gathered at the Tecumseh statue at Glen O. Jones lake, to be led by Chris Drone on the Crest trail. We took off about 1015 and headed in a westerly direction. Tree colors were still evident. We talked to hunters from upstate New York who were staying for the upcoming week to hunt deer. We didn’t have any ‘new’ to the Trail Society hikers, but, we had about 6 hikers that had not been with us in several years. Glad, as always, to see & chat with folks that had not been with us in quite a while. Items of interest were pointed out by the leader, such as various hollows to our left, or a short chat about the Cave Hill research area. Much of the time, we were in a “Natural area” as designated by the Forest Service, of which there are about 4-6 different types. Hikers only on this particular trail. It was noted that, along the trail there were various strips of Stilt grass, an invasive species. Several “windows” thru the trees with great views were pointed out, and then, at the “crest” of the Crest Trail, at 923 ft above sea level, we found the remnants of a “single pole” fire watch tower. A small glade, or exposed area of sandstone was noted. In a few spots the trail was difficult to discern, because of the low amount of traffic. We climbed a ridge, then found “Sunrise rock” to spread out and eat lunch/snacks, and took 1 of the 2 group pictures for the day. We then headed out and found Eagle Mountain road, went in a southeasterly direction on it for a few hundred yards, then turned South, and followed a wide vehicle trail. We saw a handful of jeeps navigating the various ‘holes’. It was noted that to the East of the lane we were hiking , that a few years ago, the FS had conducted a ‘controlled burn”, and the difference in vegetation from “burn vs. no burn” was pointed out. We then made it to the “powerline” cut, headed West, took a 2nd group picture where the powerline goes over the bluff, found Old Stoneface, and made it to the parking area. 2 vehicles had been left for the hikers to be caravanned back to the Tecumseh Statue starting point. Big, big Thank you to Marcus and Fred (who helped out Twice today) in moving people. In all , we hiked just over 5.5 miles.

Until next time, “See ya’ll, On the Trail”

Saturday, November 14, 2026 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces it 5th public hike of the 2026 Fall hiking season on November 14th.  Hiking: Giant City State Park, (Union County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderate, hikeapproximately 4 miles in length. Hiking time is 3 hours. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-791-3086 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Giant City Lodge parking area. 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 the current week’s hike information including driving directions to the meeting area. For a map to the meeting location, click this blue link: Giant City Lodge, a map will open up, click the Directions button and a driving map will be created. 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 Trail Society website at the following link https://rivertorivertrail.net/ under the Society Information tab. The waiver will be at the meeting place for your signature.

Saturday October 31, 2026 Hike Summary

Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, so the River to River Trail Society could host its famous Halloween Night Hike at Max Creek. Max Creek is most often referred to as Max Creek Vortex. A “vortex” is an area with multiple reported paranormal activities, much like the famous Skinwalker Ranch. The legend behind Max Creek Vortex dates back to the 1800s; a whole family of settlers was murdered by the wife after she went crazy. People report seeing orbs of light, hearing strange noises, experiencing physical effects, seeing UFOs, and even the occasional Bigfoot sighting.

This Max Creek Vortex hike gave us an extra spooky detail. We had a total of 13 people hiking, A spooky number for a spooky trail on a spooky night.

Once we reached the creek (the Vortex area), the hike leader shared the legend and activated a battery-operated circular light to enhance the experience. The hike leaders had planted it earlier in the day when they hiked the trail in full to make sure it was all passable for the evening hike. The hike leader also shared his spooky experiences from his first visit to Max Creek.

The hike included a lit, carved pumpkin at the trailhead, and both the hike leader and Fred brought candy and some tricks for the hikers.

Another Max Creek Night Hike on the books, and No One Was Vortexed!

Saturday, November 7, 2026 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces it 4th public hike of the 2026 Fall hiking season on November 7th.  Hiking: Crest Trail, (Saline County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderate, hikeapproximately 6.5 miles in length from Tecumseh statue at the top of Glen O. Jones Lake, over to Stoneface. Few streams. Hiking time is 4 hours plus shuttle back to parking area. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-926-3250 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Tecumseh Statue. 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 the current week’s hike information including driving directions to the meeting area. For a map to the meeting location, click this blue link: Crest Trail, a map will open up, click the Directions button and a driving map will be created. 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 Trail Society website at the following link https://rivertorivertrail.net/ under the Society Information tab. The waiver will be at the meeting place for your signature.

Saturday October 24, 2026 Hike Summary

What a Grrreat day for a hike. Carl Brennan led 15 other hikers on a Sunny Saturday morning, from our meeting spot on Trails end lane, into Thacker Hollow. We saw a nice sized equestrian group head out South on the old roadbed about 10 minutes ahead of us. We did a lot of “switch-backing” today on most of the trails. Much of the time we were under ‘tree-cover’, seeing splashes of sun. Finding a small cave early on was interesting, and the trails were extremely dusty from the lack of rain. Several times we were on trails 184 & 188, and ended up on the dam for Pounds Hollow lake, which was mowed nice and neat by Terry Wheeler of STC. We then headed up a ridge, and found the Pounds Hollow arch, where we stopped, ate lunch and took the group picture. We only met up with 1 equestrian group of 4, but, we did see other equestrians out ahead of us. We ended up hiking just a bit less than 5 miles. And, again, we had several new hikers. Glad to welcome them and invited them back to join us any time. 

Next weeks’ hike, a night hike at Max Creek, into the Vortex, on Halloween, will be led by Shawn Gossman, of Hiking with Shawn on youtube. It will meet at 630 pm. 

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

Saturday, October 31, 2026 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 3rd public hike of the 2026 Fall hiking season on October 31st. This is an evening hike on Halloween. Hiking: Max Creek Vortex (if you dare). This hike is free and open to the public, Muhahaha. This will be a moderately difficult hike, approximately 4 miles in length, 3 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618-694-7034 for more information. Hikers should meet at 6:30 pm at the end of Taylor Ridge Lane (Johnson County). For a map to the meeting location click the link, then click Directions. 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. Prior to participating in any hikes, the River to River Trail Society requests that hikers read the Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the website at the following link https://rivertorivertrail.net/ under the Society Information tab. The waiver will be at the beginning of the hike.

Saturday October 17, 2026 Hike Summary

Wow!!  What a Grrreat Saturday to start the fall 2026 hiking season. Cathy Jennings led 20 hikers, including a handful of “new to the Society” hikers, in and around Ferne Clyffe state park. We covered over 6 miles, depending on whose mapping app is quoted. We started at the Lake View shelter, headed out, down hill for quite a way, crossed a few dry stream beds, then up, up, and we ended up on the backside of Goreville, at the top of the Boy Scout trail, taking it down to the main parking area. We all went up to the main waterfall, which, with the season, was ‘dry as a bone”, then back to the main area, then went kind of “backwards, to Hawks cave. We left there, and headed back towards the main parking area, found some big trees that had fallen over, and ate lunch there. We then continued on, back once more to the main parking area, past Ship rock, then climbed up , took the group picture, with the sun shining on our faces, and back down to the lake. A few left there, walked back to their vehicles, then some continued on the trail around the lake, back to the original starting point and parking area There were Lots of other hikers out for the day. We met small groups, individuals, pairs and families, getting exercise and soaking in the sun. 

Next weeks’ hike will be in the Pounds Hollow area. It will be around 5 miles. 

Until then, “See ya’ll on the trail”

Saturday, October 24, 2026 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 2nd public hike of the 2026 Fall hiking season on October 24th.  Hiking: North Pounds Hollow Loop/Pounds Hollow Arch. This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderately difficult hike, approximately 5 miles in length, 4 hours hiking time. The leader of this hike can be reached at 618- 663-0384 for more information. Hikers should meet at 10:00 am at the Thacker Hollow Road. For a map to the meeting location click the link, then click Directions. 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. Prior to participating in any hikes, the River to River Trail Society requests that hikers read the Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the website at the following link https://rivertorivertrail.net/ under the Society Information tab. The waiver will be at the beginning of the hike.

Saturday, October 17, 2026 Hike Announcement

The River to River Trail Society announces its 1st public hike of the 2026 Fall hiking season on October 17th.  Hiking: Ferne Clyffe State Park (Johnson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This will be a moderately difficult hike, approximately 4 miles in length, 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 West Loop off Turkey Ridge Road. For a map to the meeting location click the link, then click Directions. 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. Prior to participating in any hikes, the River to River Trail Society requests that hikers read the 2023 Trail Society Waiver which can be found on the website at the following link https://rivertorivertrail.net/ under the Society Information tab. The waiver will be at the beginning of the hike.

River-to-River Trail Society Announces Fall, 2026 Hiking Schedule

The River-to River Trail Society announces its schedule of free guided hikes in and about the Shawnee National Forest for Fall, 2026. All hikes are open to the public free of charge. No reservations are required except where noted on schedule. These hikes are of at least moderate difficulty, and are intended for people in good health who have done some hiking. Boots or sturdy shoes and a walking stick are recommended for all hikes. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please.

2026 Fall Hiking DatesDownload

The River-to-River Trail Society is an Illinois not-for-profit corporation founded in 1993 by John O’Dell to promote completion of the River-to-River Trail, which now runs 160 miles through the Shawnee National Forest between Elizabethtown on the Ohio River and Grand Tower on the Mississippi River. The Society engages in trail maintenance and advocacy, and it offers free guided hikes to members and the public during the spring and fall hiking seasons. In addition, the Society has a Trail Guide to the entire River-to-River Trail, which can be downloaded for free from the Society’s website: http://www.rivertorivertrail.net/.