Shawnee Group of the Sierra Club

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Adventures with Uncle Bob

Ferne Clyffe State Park is a 2,430-acre park located on Illinois Route 37, just one mile south of Goreville and 12 miles south of Marion, and is easily accessible from both I-57 and I-24.
Get outside and discover a four mile loop trail within the park on the River-To-River Trail.

Directions: At the first intersection within the park, drive left towards Round Bluff Nature Preserve. By-pass the preserve and head on uphill. At the top, go right, then left at the next crossroads. Park at the far end of this picnic area. Walking now, descend a steep gravel trail.  At the bottom, go left. You will now be hiking along a creek bed with tall bluffs on your right for a couple miles. The trail then turns to the North. You will make a steep ascent for 200 ft. to the upper bluffs, where you will turn right at the T-junction on the trail.  While hiking along the  picturesque bluffs and rock formations with vista views, you will encounter a rock shelter, an impressive natural bridge, and long cascades of water. Pass the next trail intersection as you descend. At the next intersection of three trails, take a sharp right and follow the trail which will proceed back uphill to return you to the parking lot from where the loop trail began.

In a previous issue, a hike at Jackson Hollow was described.  I want to call your attention to an impressive bluff shelter at Jackson Hollow I recently found which is near the horse camp on Trigg Tower Road.  Find it by going north past that camp and park on the road just past the next cabin.  Walk across the stone glade and start to descend a trail.  Look to your left.  The shelter bluff is under the road and appears to be a couple hundred feet in length and at least twenty feet deep.

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