SPRING 2026 – SHAWNEE GROUP SIERRA CLUB OUTINGS

Cache River Hike, Sunday, March 22, 2026

Meet at the Cache River Wetlands Visitors Center before 10 am. This will be an easy hike along this beautiful and unique ecological area. You must call Jon Womack at 815-263-9625 in order to attend this hike.

Little Grand Canyon Spring Hike, Sunday, April 12, 2026

Explore the Little Grand Canyon Trail Loop on this moderately difficult hike of about 3 miles. The hike will last from 9:30 – 1:00. We will enjoy views of the Big Muddy and Mississippi River Valleys while learning about the flora and fauna. Meet at the Little Grand Canyon trailhead (37.68029, -89,39511). This hike will be led by Kevin Rohling and Kim Rohling. Call Kevin at 618-695-3383 to sign up or ask questions.

Ferne Clyffe Hike, Sunday, May 17th, 2026

Jon Womack will lead a hike at Ferne Clyffe State Park. Meet at the lake side parking lot near the entrance at Ferne Clyffe, or call Jon if you want to ride along from Murphysboro/Carbondale Illinois area. The hike will be about 5 miles in length. Bring along your favorite hiking footwear and drinking water. The hike will be on Sunday, May 17th, 2026 at 10 am rain or shine. You must call Jon Womack at 815-263-9625 if you would like to join us on the hike.

Browse the lower right Index on our old blog page for numerous southern Illinois hiking trail descriptions and explore some of these during your own time: http://shawneegroup.blogspot.com/. Check the Illinois Chapter listings for other outings across the region: https://www.sierraclub.org/illinois/events-calendar.

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Service Outings – Help Save High Quality Natural Areas

Shawnee Group is committed to helping rid high-quality natural areas of non-native invasive plants (NNIS) that are threatening to crowd out our native plant communities at La-Rue Pine Hills Research Natural Area (Snake Road) and at Fern Rocks Nature Preserve (Trillium Trail) in Giant City State Park.

To volunteer, contact Barb at 618-549-9684, babitaji@aol.com or text 618-534-7440.

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Other Outings:

Piasa Palisades Group Outings Chair: Carol Klinger, 618-288-5506, ciklinger@yahoo.com

http://www.sierraclub.org/illinois/piasa-palisades 

Eastern Missouri Group Outings Chair: Doug Melville 636-288-1055, douglas.k.melville@gmail.com

http://sierraclub.org/missouri/eastern-missouri

See http://content.sierraclub.org/OUTINGS/local-outdoors and http://sierraclub.org/missouri/eastern-missouri/outings for more outings.

Bob Tyson, former Outings Chair for the Sierra Club, compiled a list of beautiful, scenic trails which are basically level and easy to walk. Open the .PDF files below for more information. We have printed a limited number of trail guides and distributed them to select locations in southern Illinois. Easy Trails for Seniors