The River-to-River Trail Society announces its 5^th public hike of the 2023 spring hiking season on April 1^st. Hiking: Gum Springs Trailhead to JD Falls (Johnson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This hike will be of moderate difficulty, 5.5 miles in length, 4 hours hiking time. This will be a loop hike. 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 Simpson Hill School and we will shuttle to Gum Springs 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. There are 30 narrow and wide spring and stream crossings associated with this hike. Hikers will need to walk rocks to be able to cross some streams. This hike route may change depending on the prior week’s rain. Some of the hike will take place on rocky terrain and sloped areas. Less than 1/8 mile of this hike will be off trail. For a map to New Simpson Hill School click this blue link New Simpson Hill School 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 New Simpson Hill School. Driving directions from the north: From the intersection of Hwy 45 and Hwy 166 drive southwest on Hwy 45 and go 6.6 miles. Turn right onto Tunnel Hill Road and the school parking is on the left. Driving directions from the south:  From the intersection of Hwy 146 and Hwy 45 drive north on Hwy 45 and go 8.1 miles. Turn left onto Tunnel Hill Road and the school parking is on the left. 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 web site 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 Simpson Hill School meeting area for your signature.. Hiking: Gum Springs Trailhead to JD Falls (Johnson County). This hike is free and open to the public. This hike will be of moderate difficulty, 5.5 miles in length, 4 hours hiking time. This will be a loop hike. 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 Simpson Hill School and we will shuttle to Gum Springs 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. There are 30 narrow and wide spring and stream crossings associated with this hike. Hikers will need to walk rocks to be able to cross some streams.

This hike route may change depending on the prior week’s rain. Some of the hike will take place on rocky terrain and sloped areas. Less than 1/8 mile of this hike will be off trail. For a map to New Simpson Hill School click this blue link New Simpson Hill School 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 New Simpson Hill School. Driving directions from the north: From the intersection of Hwy 45 and Hwy 166 drive southwest on Hwy 45 and go 6.6 miles. Turn right onto Tunnel Hill Road and the school parking is on the left. Driving directions from the south:  From the intersection of Hwy 146 and Hwy 45 drive north on Hwy 45 and go 8.1 miles. Turn left onto Tunnel Hill Road and the school parking is on the left.

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 web site 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 Simpson Hill School meeting area for your signature.