River-to-River Trail Society announces fall hiking schedule

Max Creek

The end of the government shutdown comes just in time for fall foliage season. Here's a news release I've received about upcoming hikes in Illinois:

River-to-River Trail Society Fall Hiking Schedule 2013

The River-to-River Trail Society announces its schedule of guided hikes in and about the Shawnee National Forest for fall, 2013. All hikes are open to the public free of charge. Except for the November 2, Max Creek Hike, all hikes begin at 10:00 a.m. Most hikes are of moderate difficulty, designed for people in reasonably good health who have done some walking. Sturdy shoes are highly recommended. Hikers should bring their own water and a snack. No dogs, or alcohol please.

October 19: Beech Hollow to Williams Hill

Leader Brian DeNeal

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Meet: Rudement Church, Route 34, Rudement, Ill.

October 26: Trigg Tower to Gum Springs Area (Johnson County)

Leader Steve Ryder

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Meet: Trigg Tower, Trigg Tower Road 424 two miles northeast of Simpson, Il.

November 2: Max Creek and the Vortex

Leader Brian DeNeal

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Meet: Tunnel Hill School, on Illinois Route 45, between Ozark and Vienna

November 9: Bulge Hole and Schwegman Natural Area (Johnson County)

Leader Bill Gilmour

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Meet: Vienna Ranger Station, 602 N. First St., Rt 45 North Vienna, Il.

November 16: Hogg Bluff and Cedar Falls (Johnson county)

Leader Eric Johnson

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Meet: Tunnel Hill School, Rt 45 between Ozark and Vienna, Il.

November 30: Cove Hollow aka the Promised Land (Pope County)

Leader Mart Watson

Time 10:00 a.m.

Meet: Ozark Store, rt 45 Ozark, Il.

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.