Update

Nothing I hate more than to get to a blog and find it is really outdated, so think I will just add something today.

What happened? My hiking really slowed down this summer, it became a misierable hot, hot summer here, with too much rain, lots of flooding in some of my favorite hiking spots. But, fall is here and I have started up again, I have been doing some hiking, but not as much as usual. I will post a few photo's. The new bike trai is now done between Spring Lake and Thomson, I heard it is really nice.

The pictures of the dogs are of mine, Duke the big Greater Swiss Mountain dog and Lacie my Cocker Spaniel. Both had a great time in the water and hiking at Thomson Causeway, in Thomson, Il. today, we did about three miles.

Keep hiking!!!

Side Trip Trails

If you want to tire yourself out, go to French Bluff Trails. They go forever and are very hilly, there is always one more hill! I use to think that some French Voyager must have stayed there, overlooking the Mississippi River valley, but found out that the people that donated the land, their last name was French.

The trail starts out by going up hill, and continues up hill until you get to the top of the bluff, you will hike about a 1 mile when you come to a large opening in a fence. At first I thought I could go no farther, but then learned that the No Trespassing signs is only the property to your left or west, and that is technically the side of the bluff with no trails. There are signs for you to follow, you can go straight or to your right, either way, it is one really big loop and a second loop at the end, that is all up and down. So it is a straight hike up the hill, then two loops in the woods on the top of the bluff. There is a small stream that flows over part of the trail in wetter weather when you get back into the woods, my dog appreciates it. There is one trail that goes off and crosses over another stream, if you get on that one, it is really a dead end, at least I haven't figured out how to get out of it. French Bluff is between Thomson, Il. and Argo Fay, Il. You can see signs for it off of Rt. 84 between Savanna, Il. and Thomson, Il. Going south on 84, French Bluff would be east. During hunting season, I won't hike there.

Construction Trail

This next stretch is not open for hiking. I hope to do this stretch later this summer or fall when it is done. The last photo was taken where the trail crosses over Riverview Road between Savanna and Thomson, Illinois. The new section will travel behind the Ingersol Wildlife Refuge Learning Center. What a great place to visit while on this hike! The people are so friendly and helpful. The kids will like the hands on activities and the taxidermy of our local wildlife spieces. It's a very nice building with modern bathrooms too. It is closed on the week-end.

GRT - Next Leg

The Great River Trail from Spring Lake near Savanna, Illinois to new construction. The new construction begins right near the rail road tracks. This section, is really very much the same as the first few miles. There are many dead and wind blown weed trees on either side of the trail here. This stretch runs pretty close and along side Highway 84. Photo's include, the trail and where this section is interupted by the new stretch which is in the process of being paved. At this point (construction) you would have to ride your bike (or walk) along the road, but there is a lot of parking area where you could walk or ride until you get to the next section of trail.

Great River Trail Spring 2010

I would love to hike the AT, but will have to settle for the GRT, The Great River Trail that extends from Savanna, Il., down south toward the Quad Cities. So find some of my thoughts about the hike, and also about other great places to hike in NW Illinois.

We started the hike the beginning of March 2010, and started out in Savanna, Il. If you go to Sullivan Foods, just west of there you will see a train car which holds a train museum, cross the rail road tracks, and right to your left you will see the beginning of the trail. I have read that it starts at Palisades State Park. This is north of this area, if you did start there, you would have to follow a very old trail along highway 64 heading south towards Savanna, when that ends, you will need to walk along the road a little ways, then get down by the Mississippi River just past the Sabula Bridge, you will see a boat ramp, follow along the river, behind stores until you get to the train museum. From Palisades, I would say that would be 4 - 5 miles.

The trail is flat and paved, it would be fine for the handicapped. You will see more walkers close to Savanna, Il., you will see more bicycles closer to Thomson, Il., but thats getting ahead of the hike. From Savanna, my goal was Spring Lake, I made that pretty easily, about 2 - 3 miles. In the spring and summer, you will see many turtles on the west side of the trail. Once you cross over Plum River, (there is a bridge) you can sneak through the grassy/bushy area to your right or west, and hop onto the Spring Lake Trails, it follows right along side the paved one, but is gravel, and easier on your feet and knees, at least for me it is. If you want the hike longer and it's a beautiful day, the Spring Lake Trails go around in a huge square between the paved GRT and the river, another 2 - 3 miles could be added on. This is a wildlife refuge, and you will see tons of geese, pelicans, ducks and birds, depending on the time of year.