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"Hiking
Illinois" is one of the titles in the "America’s Best
Day Hiking Series" from publisher Human Kinetics. According
to the introductory passage, "Each book in the series offers
information on 100 or more of the most interesting and scenic
trails in a particular state, as well as notes about recreational,
historical, and sightseeing destinations located near the
trails." The focus of the book on Illinois is short day hikes
that range in degree of difficulty from easiest to most difficult.
The
book has a handy "trail finder" guide that corresponds
to a geographical site locator map. This trail finder gives the
trail’s name and site location, the available park facilities
(camping, water sports, biking, etc.), the trail’s length (in
miles), difficulty rating, and a description of the
terrain/landscape.
The
information in the trail finder is greatly expanded in the three
sections that comprise the book. The book is divided into three
geographic sections: "North," "Central" and
"South." In the introduction to each geographic area
there is a composite description that describes the region’s
topography, major lakes and rivers, common plant life, common
birds and mammals, climate, and its best natural features.
Once
you determine the geographic area you wish to hike, you can select
the trail that meets your particular sightseeing desires and
physical ability. Each trail is listed within the state park or
area in which it is found, along with its location on the site
locator map. Area information includes a description of the
physical area, directions to the site, hours and days of
operation, facilities, permits, and a mailing address and
telephone number.
The
most important information in each entry is the catalog of
different trails in that area. The trails are listed by name,
degree of difficulty and length. A map of the park is included and
provides information on offices, parking, stores, trails, water
and boundaries. The most important feature of each park/area is
the narrative describing its premier trails. This narrative
contains the round-trip distance, the estimated hiking time and
detailed hiking directions that correspond to the map of the
trail.
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There
are 22 entries in the "North" section, 16 entries in the
"Central" section, and 21 entries in the "South"
section. These 59 areas contain the 100 different trails in the
book. Those areas of interest to Lincoln and Logan County include
Weldon Springs State Park near Clinton, Robert Allerton Park in
Monticello, and Where Lincoln Walked in Springfield and New Salem.
Weldon Springs is known for the two-mile Lakeside Self-Guiding
Nature Tour (1.25 hours) that circles the lake and the two-mile
Beaver Dam Trail (one hour) that takes the hiker past a small pond.
Both are considered moderately easy in hiking difficulty. Robert
Allerton Park offers the 2.4-mile Black Schroth Nature Trail (1.15
hours) and the 5.75-mile North River Trail (three hours). North
River sports the famous Sunsinger, a larger-than-life statute of the
mythical god Apollo. These trails have the same difficulty rating as
those in Weldon Springs.
Where
Lincoln Walked is a completely different hiking experience — it
includes a hike through the urban areas of the city of Springfield.
Based on the life of Abraham Lincoln, these hikes encompass the New
Salem experience (5.25 miles, 2.5 hours) and the city of Springfield
(6.5 miles, four hours). Both include detailed maps and an
explanation of the historical significance of the sites found on
each hike.
"Hiking
Illinois" is an outstanding guide to the hiking opportunities
in the state of Illinois. The book’s geographic arrangement and
the descriptive information make it useful for planning family
outings, hands-on nature experiences or outdoor adventures. An added
benefit is the author’s rating of each trail’s difficulty and
the obstacles that will be encountered.
In
limiting the book's scope to 100 day hikes, some areas were omitted.
In the case of Lincoln and Logan County, the Edward R. Madigan State
Park is mentioned in the "Other Areas of Interest" section
for Weldon Springs State Park, while Kickapoo Creek Park on old
Route 66 is not mentioned.
These
local omissions aside, "Hiking Illinois" is highly
recommended for anyone who is planning a vacation or day trip,
wishes to commune with nature, or enjoys the beauty and splendor of
Illinois’ great outdoors.
For
more information, visit the Public Library at 725 Pekin St. or call
217-732-8878.
[Richard
Sumrall, Lincoln Public Library District]
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