DAY TRIP: LITTLE GRAND CANYON

SAND RIDGE, Ill. -- The Little Grand Canyon would seem to be Southern Illinois' best kept secret. At least, it's a secret kept from Southeast Missouri residents.

Talk about it among your friends and you'll see. Everyone has heard about the canyon, read about it or even passed by it on their way to somewhere else, but few people actually have been there.

Perhaps it's the level of seclusion that makes Little Grand Canyon the perfect day trip.

It takes about an hour to get there from Cape Girardeau. The best way is Route 3 north through the towns of Ware, Wolf Lake and Grand Tower. Several miles past Grand Tower, there's a sign on the road guiding the way to Sand Ridge, the community nearest the canyon.

Once a day tripper has passed through Sand Ridge -- about 15 houses and mobile homes grouped together -- he should begin looking for signs leading the way to Little Grand Canyon.

The trail begins at one end of the parking lot and ends at some bathroom facilities on the far side of the lot. Hikers may begin at either end, but Ken Peterein, trails coordinator for Shawnee National Forest, recommended beginning at both.

The reason is a flooding problem that washed out the trail. Water from the Big Muddy River still is standing in part of the canyon, blocking the way to the end of the trail.

However, one way quickly leads to a beautiful waterfall and the other to an incredible view of the Big Muddy and Mississippi Rivers.

The whole trail is 3.6 miles long and takes about two hours to complete at an average pace, Peterein said.

My hike began early on a Tuesday at the official trailhead, which is marked by a large sign. Parts of the trail are paved at the beginning, and descent to the waterfall is relatively quick.

On that route, the only way to the bottom of the canyon is along the waterfall. Fortunately for us amateur hikers, the Civilian Conservation Corps chiseled footholds in the rocks in the 1930s. The steps aren't always easy to locate, but every difficult area of the falls has them.

At the bottom of the waterfall is a small arrow, indicating the trail goes to the left. It runs along a creek bed, picking up on one side and then the other until reaching the flooded area.

That 5,500-foot-long creek eroded the canyon. Along it are diverse forms of plant life, including rare moss, ferns and lichens.

Because of the flooding problem, I turned around and climbed back up the falls. However, other hikers may choose to continue on the trail in the other direction.

That section isn't an official state trail, and it ends up on private property, Peterein said. But many people follow it up to a paved road that eventually ends up back at the parking lot.

The trails coordinator suggested going back up the falls and starting on the other side of the trail, following it for at least 25 minutes. Most hikers will reach a tall bluff in that period of time. From there, they may look over parts of Illinois and Missouri.

Not many people visit the canyon during the week -- more come on weekends, Peterein said. Although there was one other car in the parking lot the day I visited, I saw no one except my hiking partner.

No part of the trail is easily accessible to the disabled, and avid hikers probably would have to create their own challenges. But for middle-of-the-road day trippers of average fitness, a visit to the shady Little Grand Canyon can be a welcome break from the summer grind.

HINTS ON VISITING

1. The trail is mildly strenuous, and parts of it are steep. Hike at a pace that is comfortable for you.

2. Watch for both poison ivy and poisonous snakes. Both are present along the trail, although the snakes are most common during high water.

3. Never visit the Little Grand Canyon during heavy rains. The area is prone to flash flooding.

4. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing. The shoes should have soles that can grip slick rocks.

5. Bring insect repellent and water.

6. Plan to hike for two hours if you do the entire 3.6-mile trail at an average pace.