River Ridge Backpack Trail

Hike Name: River Ridge Backpack Trail Location: central IL Length: 11 Submitted by: Trudge Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Illinois trail reviews Illinois national parks Illinois state parks
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Description
This review only covers the east half of the River Ridge backpack trail from the canoe access area at the Vermilion River to the Big Woods Trail trailhead. The entire loop is about 11 miles. The east half is quite rugged in some areas. There are several small stream crossings and steep banks. I recommend using trekking poles. I know that I would have been on my butt several times without mine. Plan on hiking the loop in a clockwise direction. The trail blazes are only on one side of the trees, so it is easy to lose the trail at some points if you're going CCW. I learned this the hard way when I got side tracked onto a deer trail in fading light. I ended up hiking out through a cornfield and had to spend the night in the campground (that's why I only covered half of the trail). The trail is narrow and overgrown in some places. You need to watch out for poison ivy and stinging nettle if you're wearing shorts. If you don't know what stinging nettle looks like, there's a good picture at http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/harmfulplants/stingingnettle.htm. I suspect that the west half of the loop is less weedy because a large part of the River Ridge utilizes sections of other shorter trails which are probably more traveled. The trail starts and ends at the staff office. Camping is allowed at three places along the trail. The first is at the three-mile mark at a group campground. The second is the halfway point at the canoe access area. The third is at 7.5 miles and is called East Camp. East Camp is located up on a ridge, so load up on water before you get there. It is a good ways back to a water source. There is no potable water at any of the sites. When I was there in mid May there were plenty of small, clear running streams. They were quite shallow; so whereas it might be difficult to find a pool deep enough for dipping a water bottle, using a filter to pump the water would not be a problem. I cannot comment on the reliability of water in drier months. The Vermilion River was very muddy when I was there but is sometimes very clear. It just depends on when it rained last. Make sure you take a map and compass to help navigate through the poorly marked sections.
The River Ridge is one of the few places in central Illinois where you can spend a night out away from people. Although the preserve was busy, I did not see anybody along the backpack trail. I know that I will go back.
Maps and other info are available by calling the preserve.

Directions to Hike
From Danville take route 1 south to Westville. Turn east on Main Street and follow the signs for Forest Glen Preserve 7 miles to the park entrance. The road makes several south and east turns, but stay on main road and you'll get there.

Contact Information
Forest Glen County Preserve
20301 E 900 North Road
Westville, IL 61883
Phone: 217-662-2142
Fax: 217-662-2146

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