Fern Clyffe State Park

Continuing with our series,"Adventures With Uncle Bob-Guide to Self-Adventure in southern Illinois",we feature a natural bridge on a less known trail on the edge of the park.  Scroll this index for another less known park area- Round Bluff Nature Preserve.  Directions: From Goreville,ill go south on rt 37 a couple miles to the park entrance.  At the first junction, turn left and then a right on the park road. I park at the picnic area called bluff view. Cross the road and pick up our natural bridge trail.  Trees block the access view-just descend into the creek bottom (there is also a parking area to the left of the road with a name that does not match the trail). on our trail ascent, we encounter aa 3-way junction: go straight ahead and we follow this segment of the River to River Trail( markers have an "i" symbol).  After switchbacks, we level off and continue in a south direction,enjoying cliff lines and distant views. At the midpoint of this moderate grade loop, we switchback to the base of the natural bridge. GPS coordinates N37.52061 and W88.99979. Outstanding! We continue past small shelter caves and cliffs, turn west and be alert for an unmarked descent to the bottom of the canyon.  We then walk aqn old logging road( could be overgrown with weeds in the spring), plus creek crossings as the trail turns north and back to our 3 way junction.turn right back to the parking area. The horse campground has an access point to the trail as  Happy hollow loop. picture at http://www.naturalarches.org/db/arches/illinois.htm. Click the one that ends in 4155080.You need to know that this trail is outside the park boundary during hunting season.

If you still have energy for further hiking or are camped here, continue on the park road to the end.  nu merous trails emanate from here: hawk Cave and a cliff canyon maze across the footbridge; seasonal waterfall trail and ridgetop views.  Along with a park map, these trails are self-evident without further elaboration from me.  Any questions, contact Bob Tyson 684-5643 or robkay43@webtv.net.

Old Stoneface Trail

Continuing with our series,"Adventures With Uncle Bob-Guide for Self-Adventure in Southern Illinois",we feature Old Stoneface in Shawnee national Forest. This is a reprint from an old website.  Directions: From Equality,ill go south by following Glen O jones lake road for several miles.  Turn right on Horseshoe road( a sign also says to rt 145). Go about 4 miles and the road shows a left onto stoneface Rd: The sign says 2 miles( long miles) on gravel.  There is no Forest Service sign at the entrance-just a county road sign reading stoneface lane. GPS N 37  39' 45" and W -88 26' 32".  Follow uphill to the parking area.  Alternatively, traveling on Rt 34 from harrisburg, there is a sign for this area at the village of Rudement.

From the parking lot, we ascend a rugged ascent, turn left at an unmarked junction, and reach a pretty cliff line after 0.2 mile. Go left. Lots of cliff overhangs. Go thru a boulder tunnel.  We can either walk to a trail junction to access the rim trail or shortcut up a rock slide.  This rim trail and sandstone glades afford continuous views over the distant countryside as well as views of the bottom of the canyon.  Wood fences protect plant species including the rare Chokeberry and Stonecrop.  Once past the fences, look for the above unique rock formation resembling a face.  Continue on the trail past the utility crossing and note a place to descend to the bottom( suggest descending backwards). Now we follow a user-made trail to take in outstanding rock formations and a cliff line that tilts at a 30 degree angle.  Continue to the second left turn, and back to the car. I estimate the loop at less than 2 miles. The Forest Service does not have an official base trail because it is an eccological area.  While here, why not also visit nearby Eagle mountain Scenic area(scroll the index on this blogsite).  This is approx 1 mile east on this road.  If the Eagle Mt road sign is missing, just look for an ascending road which does not go to a residence. More info from Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or robkay43@webtv.net. 

Perry County Community Lake Loop Trail

Continuing with our series,"Adventures With Uncle Bob-Guide to Self-Adventure",we feature the above trail as a re-print from a discontinued website.  This place is managed by the Missouri Dept of Conservation. Directions: From Chester,ill cross the bridge and follow Mo 51 to Perryville.  Turn right onto County T and go a few miles and watch for the sign to the parking lot.
Let's start on the west loop segment. GPS N.37.72505 and W -89.91511.  We cross an earthen dam and enter the woods.  The trail follows lake views most of the time. Lots of wildlife are viewed and the 4 mile trail is well maintained.  Cross another dam and note frequent benches on the trail.  At the mid-point,we encounter a county road.  Note the archery 20 ft high platform.  For those who are only interested in archery, take I-55 frontage road south and turn right in a couple mile;Otherwise, turn left on the road and then left again on the park road.  You will pass restrooms and picnic tables. At the top of the hill, we re-enter the woods.  Along the trail we view a prairie restoration(sign), cross wood bridges, a junction on the right to the campground, and come to a good number of tree varieties-each with educational content signs.  Eventually, we end up at the boat dock and restrooms. Cross this area and return to the other parking lot. 
Pictures are at: www.phase.com/keithallenlaw/perry_county_community_lake. If the link doesn't work, retype into your browser.The gap between words need an underscore. While here,why not also hike nearby Ball Mill Loop trail. Scroll this index for that article. Further questions, contact Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or robkay43@webtv.net. 

Cove Hollow Trail

Continuing with our series,  "Adventures with Uncle Bob-Guide to Self-Adventure in Southern Illinois," we feature Cove Hollow trail in Shawnee National Forest. This is a re-print of an article which disappeared from our old website.  Directions: From Murphysboro, IL, drive south on Rt 127 for about 10 miles, turn left onto Dutch Ridge Rd, go about 2 miles and note the hiker sign at Cove Hollow Rd.  This paved road terminates at the parking area. The trail is 4 miles long. Alternatively, one can park at the south end of the trail by continuing on Rt 127 and turning left on Boat Dock Rd. Go about 3 miles and note a small parking area and sign board. Closest GPS coordinates there are 37  37'  1708" N and 89  18'  69"W.
From the signboard on the north end, you can either take the path straight ahead or the one on your right as they eventually merge.  We enjoy views of Cedar Lake and now travel below a pretty cliff line.  We pass a small shelter cave and later see a side trail to a huge shelter cave. Sometimes an 80 ft waterfall drops over the cave. There is a path to climb to the top and a user-made trail for distant views.  Next we cross a shallow creek with cliffs facing north and pass a slot canyon as well as continuous cliff lines.  As we get closer to the 2 mile point, look for an easy way to ascend a cliff to a 30 ft cave.
Soon encounter a trail junction sign: the trail splits into Wolf Den Hollow to ascend for deep ravine views.The other choice is straight ahead as lower Cove Hollow and enjoy more cliff lines, slot canyons, and rock formations.  The sign is deceiving as the 3 mile number refers to Little Cedar trailhead, not to Boat Dock road.  Both trail segments converge later and continue to Boat Dock rd.  The trail is easy to follow, not steep, but is frequently "up and down."  Any questions, contact Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or Robkay43@webtv.net.

Bulge Hole Ecological Area

 Continuing with our series,"Adventures with Uncle Bob-Guide to Self-Adventure in Southern Illinois", we feature Bulge Hole Ecological Area in Shawnee National Forest.  Directions: From Marion,ill. take I-57 to I-24, get off at Tunnel Hill exit, go east to the first road on the right( Dutchman Lake signage missing).  Follow this road several miles, pass the entrance road to Dutchmaan Lake, go under the freeway on Bowman bottom rd.  The road curves left, then right, left again, and you will see an open field on the right and an old roadbed on the left. Park roadside. GPS N37  30.107 and W 088  53.315.  The roadbed passes a utility rightaway and soon see the ecological area sign. We bushwhacked downhill along descending rock glades and downfalls until finally arriving at the canyon bottom.  There is no defined trail.  After trial and  error, we found a better way to avoid getting lost.  Go back to the utility crossing,go north, and count 4 double towers starting with the one next to the roadbed.  After the 4th one,turn left and easily descend below the cliff line.  You can proceed in either direction.  Going right we have a  pretty continuous cliff line and some rock shelters.  It ends at a fence.  Return to the junction and proceed south, again along continuous cliffs and arrive at a huge shelter cave.  Now go along another spectacular cliff  line on its west side: caves,cascades,mooss-covered rocks,and finally another huge semi-circle shelter cave.  Make your way back via the same line or creekbed.  note the fence again-cross over.  If you cannot find the utility pole again, one can always parallel the ascending rock glades back to the roadbed. 
Someone else recently found that by walking the roadbed until the fence highest point and crossing the fence another roadbed was found to go to the bottom and eventually found the bottom.  Any questions, contact Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or robkay43@webtv.net.  While here, why not try nearby Dutchman Lake trailhead( scroll on this index for specifics).
10-8-2012. feedback suggests walking the utility crossing might be formidable when weeds are high as well as snakes. 3 of us were there this week to make an alternative trail. Walk down the service road, as before. After walking over the rock glade, look for the first wood fence section, cross it and follow the obvious trail. At approx 0.6 the trail turns right and heads downhill to a break in the cliff line. I put up red flags so you can return here. go either direction to enjoy the cliffs and shelter caves. The one looks like it will have a 30 ft seasonal waterfall over the cliff. We brushed the trail and put down some logs to guide better.
06/20/2013: After an earlier Sierra Club hike in the area, we note the need to clear brush roadblocks away from cliff lines as it gets tiring to detour downhill and then back up again to the cliff lines to continue. On this date we cleaned out such brush so people can stay along the cliff lines. We also note that ATV riders knocked down the fence adjoining the service road. To find the point to turn off the service road, note the Forest Service sign and then continue over two more cedar rock glades, and then note the path to the right. I also put red ribbon on the tree.

Ball Mill Loop Trail

Continuing with our series,"Adventures With Uncle bob-Guide to Self-adventure",we feature its full name, Ball mill Resurgence Pit Natural Area.  This article origninally appeared on an old website and is transfered here.  This place is owned by the LAD Foundation and managed by the Missouri Dept of Conservation.  Directions: From Chester,ill., cross the bridge and proceed on MO 51 to Perryville.  In town, turn right on US 61 and then a right on Co V.  You will drive about 7 miles, curve left on the road,and follow signs to the parking area. GPS N37. 808563 and W-89.886189.
Proceed down the farm lane and arrive at the loop junction. I suggest ascending the left loop segment.  We walk by several scenic sinkholes.  Unique shrubs and flowers include Spicebush,American Bladdernut, Thimbleweed, False Solomon seal, hooked Crowfoot, and Doll's eyes.  The trail descends to the bottom and turns right. We come to an unusual cliff known as the Resurgence Pit. This spot drains surface water away to caves and underground streams,but after a rainstorm the flow reverses and becomes a stream.  Notice the polished rocks. The trail gradually ascends back to the loop junction, turn left, and back to the car. Go to semissourian.com/blogs/pavementends/entry/35844 for several good pictures of this 2 mile loop.
You may have to re-type this in your browser. While here, why not also hike Perry County Community Lake Loop trail.  For this, go back to MO 51, turn right, go to road "T",turn right and go a few miles to the trailhead.  Any questions, contact Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or robkay43@webtv.net.

Hickory Canyons Natural Area

Continuing with our series,"Adventures with Uncle Bob-Guide to Self-Adventure",we feature hickory Canyons trails. This is a reprint of an article which fell off the former website.  This area is owned by the LAD foundation and managed by the Missouri Dept of Conservation.  Directions: From Chester,ill., take missouri 51 to County H,follow to St Mary, turn left, turn right on County Z,and go to I-55 north.  Take the exit for MO 32 west.  Follow it to county C, turn right and travel 3.2 miles to Sprott rd( if the sign is not visible, look for some big boulders near a homestead).  Take this gravel road 2 miles to the parking area. GPS coordinates are N37.872036 and W-90.302476. Two trails emanate from here: the one on the south is 0.3 mile out and back leading to a tall semi-circle box canyon.
The second one is to the north as a one mile rugged loop. At the junction, go either way.  It is easier to take the segment on the right.  As it descends, the Lamotte sandstone cliffs seem to get taller and some are 100 ft high.  Note the various fern species and other unusual ice-age plant relicts as we reach the canyon floor.  We view steep ravines,box canyons,cascades,a rock shelter,and a rock gladetop as we ascend the trail back to the parking lot. There are several good pictures at http://www.semissourian.com/blogs/pavementends/entry/26572. If this link does not go,write it into your browser.
While here, why not also visit nearby Pickle Springs loop trail( scroll down the index on this blog. There is a winery in a cave by taking county rd B when taking MO 32 back east. Any questions, contact Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or robkay43@webtv.net.