southern IL-river 2 river trail

[kappy0405]

I was supposed to attempt a thru-hike of the AT this year, but due to family emergencies and a few other things, i was forced to put it off until next year.. but having never done any long distance hikes before, i cant stop thinking about it so i began searching for trails somewhat close to me (chicago)...

The best looking one ive come across so far is the "river to river trail" in Shawnee National Forest in Southern Illinois. It goes from the Ohio river across Illinois to the Mississippi. I did a search on here, and it hasnt been discussed since 2005. Has anyone done this trail that can give a short review for me? I did see one negative review online claiming that it relies too heavily on road hiking. Is this really the case?? how many miles include along the road? If anyone has pictures they could post or some info for me, that'd be great.

any other suggestions of scenic long distance trails somewhat close (less than a 6 hour drive) to chicagoland would be good too. thanks.

[kappy0405]

just want to add that im also looking into the "Superior Hiking Trail" (240+miles) in Minnesota which goes alongside lake superior from duluth to the canadian border.. and the "Kettle Moraine Forest" (100+miles) in wisconsin which includes 46 miles of the "Ice Age National Scenic Trail"...

Out of the three, none of them even come close to the AT, but im just looking for something to keep me occupied until i thru-hike next year. I think all 3 of them reach elevations around 1000+ ft, i think the superior trail actually reaches a high point closer to 2000, so they arent too bad. Anyone out there even a little familiar with these trails?? Which is more scenic and more secluded?? thanks again!

[mkmangold]

just want to add that im also looking into the "Superior Hiking Trail" (240+miles) in Minnesota which goes alongside lake superior from duluth to the canadian border.. and the "Kettle Moraine Forest" (100+miles) in wisconsin which includes 46 miles of the "Ice Age National Scenic Trail"...

Out of the three, none of them even come close to the AT, but im just looking for something to keep me occupied until i thru-hike next year. I think all 3 of them reach elevations around 1000+ ft, i think the superior trail actually reaches a high point closer to 2000, so they arent too bad. Anyone out there even a little familiar with these trails?? Which is more scenic and more secluded?? thanks again!

I love Shawnee but haven't been there in blah blah years. Right now I do most of my hiking on the Ice Age Trail. Are you from Chicago or a suburb? Probably the fastest way for you to pick up the trail is in the southern unit of the Kettle Moraine, probably near Whitewater, although there are many trailheads. The whiteblaze member "Ice Age" and I can help you along if you decide to come up this way.

[kappy0405]

I love Shawnee but haven't been there in blah blah years. Right now I do most of my hiking on the Ice Age Trail. Are you from Chicago or a suburb? Probably the fastest way for you to pick up the trail is in the southern unit of the Kettle Moraine, probably near Whitewater, although there are many trailheads. The whiteblaze member "Ice Age" and I can help you along if you decide to come up this way.

thanks mkman. I actually have stayed in a cabin on a small lake in palmyra, i think its called blue spring lake, which is like a mile from the kettle moraine forest.. but ive never had the chance to hike through it. This is probably the hike im leaning towards this year as its only an hour or two from the chicago suburbs, and i think the river2river and the superior trail are atleast 5-6 hour drives..

[double d]

Kappy0405, you might want to take at look at the North Country trail in the U.P., about an 8 hour drive one way. Also, the river to river hike is great, the Shawnee is Illinois only national forest. I was there with my wife back in 05, only problem, lots of people on the trail who aren't hiking, many to me seemed to be families just walking on the trail and I also had alot of quad runners near the trail, which they shouldn't be on, but they were. Overall, great trail, about 5-6 hour drive from Chicago.

[mkmangold]

Kappy0405, you might want to take at look at the North Country trail in the U.P., about an 8 hour drive one way. Also, the river to river hike is great, the Shawnee is Illinois only national forest. I was there with my wife back in 05, only problem, lots of people on the trail who aren't hiking, many to me seemed to be families just walking on the trail and I also had alot of quad runners near the trail, which they shouldn't be on, but they were. Overall, great trail, about 5-6 hour drive from Chicago.

I just found out about the North Country Trail. That thing runs from New York state all the way to North Dakota! A small part cuts through northern Wisconsin and it looks like it approaches the Ice Age Trail somewhere between Superior and St. Croix. Wouldn't that be great if they connected eventually?

[big_muddy]

If you want help finding places to backpack around Chicago, or people to backpack with check out the Chicago Backpackers site: http://backpackers.meetup.com/4/

[The Solemates]

im planning to hike the river to river trail in sections if you ever want to meet up and hike it together. i'll actually be in the area next weekend.