Tunnel Hill, Vienna IL

This past weekend I took the bike out for a ride on the Tunnel Hill trail (part of the Rails to Trails Program). I prefer to start at the Vienna trail head and ride to "The Tunnel". Sadly I spent more time exploring and taking pictures and didnt make it to "The Tunnel". The River to River Trail crosses Tunnel Hill at one point but I have yet to explore that trail. I will provide pictures from past visits to the tunnel. For more information visit the site below. Enjoy.

http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/r5/tunnel.htm

Inside the Tunnel looking towards Vienna, IL

 River to River Trail Meets Tunnel Hill Trail

Jackson Falls, Illinois

Saturday was a nice COOL day to get out and hike and the destination was Jackson Falls, Illinois. The trail system here is easy enough and offers a few waterfalls (a couple were only spitting water). There were a ton of rock climbers out this day as well as folks on horse back. The area has plenty to of photo opportunities thanks to the cliffs, bluffs, and water falls. If you get a minute stop and watch the rock climbers, it is a great experience. I also made it to Trigg Tower which is on the way to Jackson. The tower offers a great view of the surrounds county and farmland. The first flight of steps can be wobbly! The third place we made it to was Millstone Bluff Archaeological Site, again close to Jackson Falls and Trigg Tower. I was not all that impressed with Millstone and be prepared for an all up hill hike that really only offers a few views of rock walls. Once your reach the top you are expecting to see more than just signs expecting you to "imagine" the natives at work. One spot of the trail did offer Petroglyphs but I couldnt really see this as a reason to drive all the way out to the site. If you just want to add another calorie busting hike then make a stop at Millstone and enjoy the information posted along the trail.

Jackson Falls http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shawnee/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=32359&actid=34

Trigg Tower http://www.theshawneenationalforest.com/home/shawnee-national-forest-trails/trigg-tower

Millstone Bluff http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shawnee/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=10689&actid=51

  

I found that one patch of nasty mud trying

takes pictures of the two tunnels! Very sticky

stuff!

This tree was not happy with the sign

attached to it!  

Trigg Tower landscape view. 

 Trigg Tower (the first set of steps are wobbly!)

Farthest corner of Millstone Bluff where we

saw the petroglyphs.

Panther's Den, Illinois

Another Southern Illinois hiking gem, Panther's Den offers a looped trail with plenty of scenery. The area seems very far flung once you get to the trail head. On this trip (fall 2011) we came across several rock climbers and students doing trail maintenance for their school. Watching the rock climbers really sparked my interest but I probably need to lose a lot more weight before I feel comfy trying out the sport. There was plenty of nooks and crannies to explore and even some lite climbing. Now enjoy the photos...

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5106369.pdf

The view was amazing from up here!

There are rock climbers in this pic! 

iPhone 4 Photo (looks different I know)

Bellsmith Springs Illinois

So this is what started off my fall/winter 2011 hiking season! I love Bellsmith plain and simple because the trail systerm has so much variety. Keep in mind there will be plenty of creek crossing and hill climbing! I really got to test my Hi-Tec waterproof boots these days and they held up great. Since November of 2011 I have been back here 5 times! Crossing the creeks wasnt exactly like crossing a river or anything of the sorts but it made for a great COLD FEET adventure. Also, this area has a wonderful natural arch that makes this place completely worth visiting! If you get a chance to visit Shawnee Forest in Southern Illinois please dont forget to visit this amazing natural wonder!

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shawnee/recarea/?recid=13020

Natural Arch (Next 3 Photos)

Very Slippery When Wet!