River-to-River Trail Society announces Spring 2013 hiking schedule

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its schedule of guided hikes in and about the Shawnee National Forest for spring, 2013. All hikes are open to the public free of charge. All hikes begin at 10:00 a.m., unless otherwise announced. Most hikes are of moderate difficulty, designed for people in reasonably good health who have done some walking. Boots or sturdy shoes are highly recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, please.

March 9:

Hike: River to River Trail, Raum Road to One Horse Gap (Pope County)

Leader: Gillum Ferguson

Meet: Herod Post Office, Route 34, Herod, Illinois

Time: 10:00 a.m.

March 16:

Hike: Dutchman Lake Area (Johnson County)

Leader: Bill Gilmour

Meet: Vienna Ranger Station, 602 N. First Street, Rte. 45 North, Vienna

Time: 10:00 a.m.

March 23:

Hike: Garden of the Gods to Hitching Post (Saline & Pope Counties)

Leader: Mike McRoy

Meet: Backpackers' Parking Lot, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area

Time: 10:00 a.m.

April 6:

Hike: Burden Falls to Durfee Cemetery (Pope County)

Leader: Susan Durfee

Meet: Burden Falls, Forest Road 402, four miles west of Delwood, Illinois

Time: 10:00 a.m.

April 7:

Event: Work Day in cooperation with U.S. Forest Service, Indian Point Trail

To volunteer, call (618) 833-1016 or email shawneeforestvolunteercorps@yahoo.com

April 13:

Hike: Rice Hollow and Buzzard's Roost (Gallatin County)

Leader: Eric Johnson

Meet: Backpacker's Parking Lot, Garden of the Gods Recreation Area

Time: 10:00 a.m.

April 20:

Hike: Sand Cave to Bell Smith Springs (Pope County)

Leader: Mart Watson

Meet: Hunting Branch picnic area, Forest road 849, off Forest Road 848, Bell Smith Springs Recreation Area

Time: 10:00 a.m.

April 27:

Hike: Jackson Hollow/Jackson Falls (Pope County)

Leader: Brian DeNeal

Meet: Climbers' Parking Lot, Glenn St. Falls Road, (Forest Road 494), 2.5 miles SW of McCormick

Time: 10:00 a.m

June 1:

Event: National Trails Day (Saline County)

Leaders: John O'Dell, Dean Maddox

Meet: Tecumseh Statue, Saline County Fish and Wildlife Area (Glen Jones Lake)

Time: Noon

The River-to-River Trail Society is a not-for-profit organization founded by John O'Dell during the 1990s to promote completion of the River-to-River Trail, which now runs 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 offers guided public hikes during the spring and fall hiking seasons. It also publishes a trail guide to the entire River-to-River Trail, available for $25 plus $5 postage and handling ($30 total), from the Society's headquarters at 1142 Winkleman Road, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946.