River to River Trail Society Hiking in the Shawnee

Spring Newsletter

Spring 2008

 Crossing Lusk Creek Wilderness

More than anything else, this newsletter addresses the necessity to warn hikers and equestrians about marking situations in the Shawnee Forest. The River to River Trail continues to be marked with the blue “i” but they may be paint, particle board or white diamonds. The biggest problem is in the Lusk Creek section. For Hikers, the remedy is to use the configuration found in the trailguide from Concord Cemetery until the turnoff to what is now known as Owl Bluff. At that point (88 degrees 32’ 26.85West).there will be a sign and the particle Board signs will prevail. Going West, the trail crosses Lusk Creek at what is now known as the Bowed Tree Crossing.  However, this crossing is too deep for a hiker so go upstream until the creek shoals and you can cross at the shallowest part. On the other (west side) there is a trail now known as the goat trail (go left) which will take you out to Lusk Creek Trailhead across from Circle B campground. Just this part of the trail will be about two miles longer than the original lay of the trail. Also, in coming from Concord Cemetery travelers will pass through some private property that is shown as a rectangle on page 53 with the word “river” in red. The owner does not want us to use that section so one can bushwack around the South side and re-connect with the R2R on the other side of Little Lusk Creek.  If you find yourself on an east to west path with no marking and suddenly you come upon Little Lusk, you have already passed it. This new addition is longer and drier for a hiker but is beautiful. There is an attachment with this newsletter that contains the map of items described above.  It is recommended that you can run it off and place it in your book.

Hikes Schedule For the Year

Attached on this web page you will find the River to River Trail Society and the Illinois Hiking Schedule for 2008. Should you need additional information call the hike leader or John O'Dell at 618 252 6789.

National Trails Day

National Trails Day will be held on June 7, 2008 at the Saline County Conservation Area. 

We will assemble in the picnic area next to the Tecumseh Statue.  After a lunch of River to River Stew and pie and other delectables, we will walk it off with some short but beautiful hikes at such places as:  Stone Face, Indian Point, Rice Hollow, Buzzard Point, High Knob (with the newly found petroglyph) or Rim Rock. The most fun we have is being together and telling stories, but there will be beauty and fellowship.

ADT Legislation:

If you have a chance please contact your congressman and ask him/her to become a co-sponsor of H.R.74 The National Discovery Trail Act.   Check out the ADT web site for more information.

RTR Fall 2005.pdf