Adventures with Uncle Bob

I recommend to you the CREST TRAIL located in the Glen O. Jones Lake area, also known as the Saline County Conservation Area.

Directions: Go east on Hwy 13 from Harrisburg to the town of Equality. In town, watch the signs to the area. Upon arrival, you will make a right turn at each intersection and follow until you arrive at a statue. Park here. Despite there being no official trailhead sign, the trailhead is evident because it begins as a wide path. After a quarter mile, a Forest Service sign will be found that says horse travel is prohibited, Despite that sign, there is plenty of evidence of hoof prints. Damage, however, is minimal so far. The trail ascends along a ridge with deep ravines on both sides. In June the trail presents a prolific array of purple, yellow, and white flowers. Near the top, the trail will become steeper and offer a view of long rock walls covered in ferns. Once you reach the top of Cave Hill and continue you’ll find numerous overlooks of the plains to the north.

Once the trail finally starts descending you’ll be walking on the crest of cliff walls that overlook huge boulders.

After 2.5- 3.0 miles, there is a tree downfall and the trail becomes faint. When I last hiked here, I turned around and retraced my steps back to the trailhead. You should take particular notice of the typical plant communities found on glades and cliff tops like these.

I never did find the side trail to the cave itself. Upon consulting John O’Dell from the River to River Trail Society, he indicated that I had not gone far enough beyond the point where the trail grew faint. For those willing to pursue the trail further, one should look for a tree with a double red tape around it. A downhill side trail will lead to the cave.

I have not been able to locate any published sources regarding this trail.