Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club

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Adventures with Uncle Bob

Directions: Go to Alto Pass and turn left at the fire station.  This road descends for some distance into a deep valley, curves east, and then ascends to a "T" intersection at Hebron Church.  Turn left and follow this road until you see a sign for Little Cedar Lane.  Turn left, and follow until you arrive at a gate across the road.  Park here, but do not block the other two farm gates. You may not want to traverse this road under muddy conditions.  I am told that one can access this lane from old Highway 51 and turning at the Illinois migrant camp. 

Walk about 2/3 mile down the lane and arrive at a "T" intersection. This is the R-R trail.  Go left.  Make note of this spot since you may miss it upon return.  The trail will travel through dark pine and cedar plantations, as well as, pretty ravines.  At some point there is an unidentified trail on your left. Pass it by for now — that will be our returning part of the loop.  Follow straight ahead on this well-marked trail to the natural dam that separates Little Cedar and Big Cedar Lakes.  Horse riders should tie up here, and walk the remaining loop as the rest of the terrain is vulnerable to horse damage. 

Cross the dam and take the River-to-River Trail (R-R) on your left which parallels the lake. (The sign here also points hikers to the boat dock (3/4 mile) and Cove Hollow (6 miles). This segment of the trail is more rugged, but has continuous views of the lake, deep ravines, and cliff walls which have line patterns not typical of our forest, and some interesting rock formations.  When you arrive at the south end of the lake it becomes a marsh fed by small creeks. The trail veers east to where a couple of creeks will need to be crossed on stepping stones.  Upon crossing the second one, you will encounter a "T" intersection. Turning right, it will continue as the R-R trail going to Alto Pass (it will not take you to your car).  Upon turning left, you are on the east section of the loop and it will eventually take you back to the main trail east of the dam.  Turn right at the main trail and follow it back to the parking lot.  While I credit the forest service and youth workers for much improvement to the west part of the loop, they forgot to include signage. When visited in late Oct. 2003, Ranger Peterin had indicated that signage had been, or will soon be posted for the two intersections marking the east section of the lake loop. °

For additional information on these or other outing locations, call Bob Tyson at 684-5643 or mailto:robkay43@webtv.net