From: mratliff@sage.cc.purdue.edu (Michael S. Ratliff)
Subject: TRIPREPORT: Shawnee National Forest
Keywords: Shawnee National Forest
Organization: Purdue University
Date: Fri, 6 Nov 1992 01:20:43 GMT


Howdy All,

Here is that TRIP REPORT OF SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST

	In mid August a friend named John and I, Mike, took a trip to the
Shawnee National Forest in southern Illinois.  We did not expect to find such
a pleasant area so close to home.  My journal entries for the trips follow:

August 13,1992  --  Shawnee National Forest (about 1530)

	John and I are camping in the wilderness area called "Garden of the
Gods."  We have pitch our camp around a mile bearing 306{ from the parking lot
of the Pharaoh Camp and Picnic area in the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area.
While John is napping,  I decided to reflect on the day.
	I woke before the alarm buzzed at 0400.  We had just gone to bed
around midnight.  I did not go straight to sleep (of course, we were staying
at my girlfriend's).  So, after less than 2 hours of sleep, we left
Indianapolis to head southwest.  We arrived at the Forest Supervisor's
Headquarters, Highway Rt. 45 S., Harrisburg Illinois, around 1030.  Here we
bought several Quad. Maps of the National Forest.  Acting on  the advice of
the cleric at the forest's headquarters we decided to focus our trip around
the G.O.T.G. Area.  Driving to our freshly chosen starting point, I surprised
myself by finding our location on the Quad. Maps quit easily.  While John and
I "did" The Smoky Mts. in early May of this year, I was unable to use the
Quad. Maps properly.  Never knowing just where we were until we hit a trail
head of top of the Mt.
	We arrived at the picnic area around 1200 or a little after.  John and
I both enjoyed getting all our gear together in front of the many picnickers.
After we were done and were walking around looking at the cliffs, a boy said
to his father "look those are real campers.  They have maps and compasses and
everything."  This made us laugh and it puffed up our egos (not to say they
were not puffed up enough).
	The rock formations took me by surprise.  I never thought such shapes
could be seen so close to home.  They remind me of how the Southwest must
look, only mush smaller and with hills and trees all around.  I jumped up on
several of these wild shapes so that john could take photos of them.
	We only hiked until what I feel was around 1400, when we stopped for a
rest.  I showed John our location on the topo.  He suggested walking
approximately 500 yards off the trail to set up camp.  Because, we spent much
of our day driving, this sounded good.  While in the Smokies, we needed to be
at certain places to camp (however one night we could not make it to the camp
sight).  Therefore, we spent most of our time trying to get to where we were
to camp.  Here in a national forest we can camp any where.  So, we allowed
ourselves to take a much more leisurely pace.


August 14,1992  --  Shawnee National Forest (about 1800)

	John and I are on a hilltop about 260{ and a 1/2 a mile from the
Pharaoh camp and Picnic Area, less than 1 1/2 miles from last night's camp.
John jokes "...we broke camp, packed, walked three steps, and then set camp
back up."  We spent much of the day climbing on the rock cliffs and taking
pictures.  I did well using the map and compass today. After finding a
Wilderness Boundary marker placed around 1/4 mile from where the map had it,
I started to doubt myself.  However, a little exploring showed that I was
exactly right.  
	We picked a hill on the map to camp on top.  Thinking we were nearing
the top, we started looking for a spot to set up camp.  We found a small area
the tent could fit.  I asked John what he thought.  "Well, I don't think we'll
find anything better." he responded.  A closer look gave me the idea to look
for a bigger spot on the crest of the hill.  I continued to walk up the hill
about 5 minutes more.  John, who had followed, said "There's a cliff up
there."  We quickly found the hill to be much higher than first thought.  We
set our packs down and climbed around the 50 foot. wall.  Once around the wall
and to the side we found an easy way to the top.  To our surprise there, at
the top of the wall, lay a very splendid camp sight.  The sight looked to be
well used in at one time, for there existed a fire ring and some worn-down
areas.  However, it looked to not have been used for quite some time.
Several rocky points proved to be nice vantage points to view the national
forest.  Using the map and Compass with the various landmarks confirmed that I
had indeed done well with orienteering.  
	We built a pleasant fire for we found the fire ring already made.  We
would not be hurting anything by having a fire, due to there was already an
impact at that spot.  We have done well with leaving a minimal impact.  This
camp sight would be great to come back to.  The views here would be lovely in
the fall.  The thrill of finding a sight where we just arbitrary picked was
very cool.


August 15, 1992  --  Shawnee National Forest (1800)

	Most of the day's activities were focused toward our day trip to One
Horse gap.  This lake rest about 4 miles south of Herod Illinois.  The
"Unimproved Road, Dirt" with its many different side trails and shortcuts made
provided a little test for our orienteering skills.  We found the lake 
pleasant, small and well used by local people.  
	John named the camp sight in the G.O.T.G. "Naked Rock," after well ...
a photo that was taken.  This trip was enjoyable, even being this close to 
home.







-- 
********  Michael S. Ratliff -- mratliff@sage.cc.purdue.edu  *********

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