Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club

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One Horse Gap (West)

A previous article was written on this area in 2002 with an eastern approach (see the above website and go to the Adventures with Uncle Bob archives). This article takes a western approach and seems more rewarding and less arduous.

From Herod, IL turn at the sign for Williams Hill. Drive about 1.5 miles to a "T" intersection of Raum Road. Go left on Raum Road. Travel approximately 8 miles and turn left at the Grand Pierre Cemetery and the sign for Dutton Chapel (Don’t confuse this with Concord Cemetery that is before the chapel). Drive a short distance on this road and take another left. Now you are on Forest Road FR-186. Ignore the first River to River spur trail sign near a parking lot. It descends on terrain which is virtually impassible due to horse traffic on damp soil. At the bottom I almost got lost, although I did end up on a side trail with a pretty cliff canyon.

Instead, continue on FR-186 for approximately 1.5 miles until you see a One Horse Gap sign (a parking pull-off precedes it by 50 yards). At this sign, follow the white diamonds and descend about a half mile to the heart of the Gap: rock glades, mazes of narrow boulder passageways, etc. Note that three trails intersect here. Take the left trail (R-R Trail diamonds) heading north. This will provide continuous views of cliff lines and rock formations. At a point approximately 1.75-2.00 miles down the trail, you will encounter an unmarked intersection of three trails. Turn right and look for a long hitching post. Continue on the trail to the edge of a cliff for a superlative view over valleys and ridge tops. Take the unmarked trail on the left to continue these views for 0.3 mile; the trail makes a sharp turn and ascends back to the cliff line. Turn right here and follow the R-R diamonds. You’ll continue to enjoy cliff walls and two rock shelters. The trail ends on FS-186. You can either retrace this route back, walk the road back to the car, or set up a car shuttle. I estimate the trail to be 3 miles long. This will be our March ‘06 outing of the Shawnee Group. My spouse and I rate this trail as easy. A map of the One Horse Gap trail system is available at Forest Service offices.

For additional information on these or other outing locations, call Bob Tyson at 684-564, or, robkay43@webtv.net  ■

Updated: 02/27/2006