null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578 
|
Post by null on Apr 23, 2020 2:58:01 GMT -8
On April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse in Southern Illinois. Although early in the season, I'm thinking that might be a nice time to hike the River to River trail.
Aside from the reasonably good chance of rain, I remember the trail having a lot of tree cover even if it's before leaf-out. Given that, can anyone recommend a good place to view the eclipse along the trail? Trigg Tower gives an unobstructed view but maybe there are other more open places along the trail to lay back and watch for an hour or so. I also think Trigg Tower is too far East for totality.
Also, if the weather is too iffy in early April, would the Ouachita Trail in AR work better?
|
|
|
|
Post by Coolkat on Aug 20, 2020 5:10:48 GMT -8
I can't help you but it's good to see other's already thinking about the eclipse in 2024
|
|
|
|
Post by starwalker on Aug 20, 2020 18:26:19 GMT -8
I'm going to be down on the Ouachita somewhere myself. Most of the Oklahoma side, which is what I"m familiar with, is tree-covered. One place that would be open would be Winding Stair U. S. Forest Service campsite which has a good overlook. I can not think of another place on the Oklahoma side of the Ouachita. In Arkansas, Queen Wilhelminia State Park has nice open areas. The Ouachita goes through the middle of the Park. If the weather is good, Queen Wilhelminia is where I intend to be.
The last eclipse, I watched from a Wal-mart parking lot in Jefferson City as we were racing clouds. The eclipse after the 2024, I'm going to sit in my yard as the path is over my house.
|
|
|
|
Post by bobcat on Sept 12, 2020 10:28:01 GMT -8
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,984
|
Post by driftwoody on Sept 12, 2020 13:14:26 GMT -8
On April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse in Southern Illinois. Although early in the season, I'm thinking that might be a nice time to hike the River to River trail. Aside from the reasonably good chance of rain, I remember the trail having a lot of tree cover even if it's before leaf-out. Given that, can anyone recommend a good place to view the eclipse along the trail? If you plan to hike the entire trail then you'll have to find a viewing spot you can expect to reach from your starting point, on the date in question. Shawnee National Forest along the route no doubt has a few open areas and rock outcroppings which might provide a really nice setting for the event, but your first task is to focus on the section of trail you plan for that date. I've never hiked the RTR trail per se but I've done a lot of hiking in Southern Illinois, including areas which include the Trail. |
|
Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
|
Post by Hungry Jack on Sept 25, 2020 10:40:18 GMT -8
Null,
I was on break from posting with a new puppy, coaching baseball, and now school resuming, so I am just seeing this. Good to know that I have about 3 1/2 years to respond.
Trigg Tower would be a great spot with its unimpeded views.
I would think sitting atop one of those hoodoo-like rock forms at the Garden of the Gods would be another great viewing spot. IIRC, it has good views to the south. Apparently, there is an "Indian Point" trail at GoG that runs out along a spine that juts out to the south from the access road to the park.
Also, if you traverse the R2R to the south/west from GoG, there is a lofty bluff a mile down the trail on Karbers Ridge that overlooks the broad valley to the south that might afford a very good (private view). To the east of GoG a few miles is High Knob.
Further west, there might be a decent view atop One Horse Gap.
Nothing immediately comes to mind in Lusk Creek WA. The trail stays low in this area, and it is very forested.
I wonder if sitting atop Jackson Hole's cliffs would offer a good view? It points southwest, so it may not work. Beautiful spot regardless.
Within Ferne Clyffe State Park in the southwest corner are some enormous bluffs looking to the south /southeast. Probably the highest bluffs in the Shawnee. Not too far from the trail area near the falls off Regent Lane / Cedar Grove Rd.
This is what immediately comes to mind. I'd say Trigg Tower, GoG and those bluffs are probably sure things. Early April should be very nice, but potentially warm with bugs (and spectacular if it has been wet and the falls are running).
|
|
driftwoody
Trail Wise!
Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
Posts: 14,984
|
Post by driftwoody on Sept 25, 2020 13:51:30 GMT -8
I wonder if sitting atop Jackson Hole's cliffs would offer a good view? It points southwest, so it may not work. Beautiful spot regardless. Most of the accessible area around Jackson Hollow & Jackson Falls is along the base of bluffs aside from the tip of Jackson Falls, which I think faces south. One Horse Gap does have some rocky glades without tree cover. |
|
null
Trail Wise!
Posts: 578
|
Post by null on Sept 27, 2020 6:19:51 GMT -8
One Horse Gap does have some rocky glades without tree cover. Little tree cover especially in April I would guess. The big advantage of One Horse Gap is nobody can just drive up like they can to GoG, High Knob, Trigg Tower etc. |
|
Hungry Jack
Trail Wise!
Living and dying in 3/4 time...
Posts: 3,809
|
Post by Hungry Jack on Sept 29, 2020 11:24:17 GMT -8
One Horse Gap does have some rocky glades without tree cover. Little tree cover especially in April I would guess. The big advantage of One Horse Gap is nobody can just drive up like they can to GoG, High Knob, Trigg Tower etc. The Benham Hill trailhead is only about a mile away, but I agree that it is less likely that people congregate at OHG. |
|
|
|
Post by cweston on Sept 29, 2020 11:42:49 GMT -8
FWIW, the Ouchita Trail in spring is prone to enormous amounts of rainfall when systems roll in. Many years ago, in late March, my two young sons and I nearly died (really) in a huge flash flood of Pashubbe Creek, NW of Big Cedar, OK.
That was allegedly a 100-year flood, but I'm pretty-well deterred from wanting to return in the spring.
|
|
|
|
Post by topshot on Oct 29, 2020 17:03:55 GMT -8
Rather than drive a long distance (WY for 2017), I think I'll just stay in town for this one since I'd have 3 minutes of totality in my back yard. Since that view is not all that appealing I may try my alma mater 10 minutes if traffic isn't a mess. Of course, everything hinges on cloud cover forecast so I may end up driving a bit anyway. That's about all I'd advise - make sure you can still get a forecast and be able to move in a timely manner if needed.
|
|
