Some of the 400 Tunnel Hill 50/100 mile fall run participants enjoy a beautiful fall day. Youll bike uphill to the Tunnel, but the downhill ride back is a great reward. It was named for John Alexander Harris, a local farmer who farmed and lived around where the city square is now located. Then Tunnel Hill State Trail[https://www. If youre a wildlife enthusiast, take a couple of side trips from the trail to experience some of the spectacular wildlife preserves in the area. of Natural Resources 302 E. Vine, Vienna IL 62995 (618) 658-2168, Trestle over the Cache; photo by Jonathan Voelz, National Recreation Trails (NRT) Database, Market Research: Equity of Access to Trails, TRAILS SAFE PASSING PLAN: STOP, SPEAK, and STAND BACK, Public Lands and the Continental Divide Trail Study. As you travel south from Harrisburg youll come to Carrier Mills, which has a proud African American history. I hope to see you on the mailing list! Your email address will not be published. Temporary signage for the 50/100 run at Vienna headquarters building. Hunting is not allowed on Tunnel Hill State Trail, but properties around the trail may have hunters during hunting season. Please use caution. Artistic rivet view. Whether you split the trip up over a couple days or do it in one, you have to do the entirety of the trail. The town gave relief efforts during the Flood of 1937. Larger animals may cross the trail including deer, bobcat and coyotes. Its essential to stay safe while using the trail. The trail follows the old Vincennes and Cairo Railroad, which began in 1872 to transport passengers, coal, salt, wood, local apples, and peaches. The total distance, including Eldorado, is 58 miles. Discover top travel stories and even more reasons to #EnjoyIllinois with our free magazine. The central section of Tunnel Hill Trail passes through the Shawnee National Forest, Illinois' only national forest. Allow yourself plenty of time at the Wetlands Center because there is a lot to see. Southern Illinois' Tunnel Hill State Trail is a gem of a route, with 23 trestle bridges (including one that is 450 feet long), several ghost towns, a beautiful park, a comfortable trailhead in Vienna Station and, of course, its namesake tunnelan impressive corridor that once measured 800-feet-long until a collapse in 1929 shortened it by some The type of bike to use is very important when biking Tunnel Hill State Trail. Box 671 302 E. Vine Vienna, IL We're here to help Southernmost Illinois in IL Address: PO Box 37862906 Phone:(618) 833-9928+1 618-833-9928 Trails to Adventure in IL Address: 900 S. Normal Ave Woody Hall MC431762901 Start at Tunnel Hill Trailhead and head north (away from the tunnel)! Tunnel Hill 50/100 Routes: (50/100-Mile Round Trip) If you are interested in doing the 50-mile or 100-mile routes that the Tunnel Hill 50/100 race does, you can enjoy doing it. The Tunnel Hill Trail in Southern Illinois is one such trail that follows the route of a railway that was abandoned long ago. Please use caution is biking/hiking to this store. The railway transported coal and locally grown fruit from orchards around the area. The trailhead features water, restrooms, parking, bike repair tools, bike rack, signage, and picnic tables. The majority of the trail is made up of crushed limestone. The Stonefort structure is located on the Shawnee National Forest property. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources proposed that a rail trail be created. About halfway between Vienna and Karnak look to your right to see if you can see the ghost town of Forman. About Photo by Jonathan Voelz. In the 1990s, the railway diminished in operation and was handed over to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which turned it into a rail trail. In less than an eighth of a mile, you will pass through the Tunnel which is the tunnel that gave the trail its name. The corridor was originally built during the early 1870s by a predecessor system that eventually became part of the massive New York Central (NYC). The longest and highest is the 90-foot-tall Breeden Trestle, 2.5 miles south of Tunnel Hill. Most of the trail is shaded, but some canopy areas are open bring plenty of sunblock. A few Ghost Towns users of the trail will pass through. The trail supposedly is closed during night time hours but a good bike light should be installed on the bike in case you are on the trail in the dark as there are very little lights along the trail and at intersections with roads. Facilities Tunnel Hill State Trail is a day-use trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets and parking at the access areas. Ive seen otters in some of these creeks! Just dont feel you need to pack everything on your ride because the more weight you have to carry, the harder it will be to ride! Conrail; and during its most productive years, the Cleveland, Chicago, Photo by Jonathan Voelz. In 1872 Burnside and others began the Vincennes & Cairo Railroad, which connected Vincennes, Indiana and Cariro, Illinois. Every year a Boston Marathon Qualifier Called Tunnel Hill 50/100 occurs on the trail. Breeden Trestle Structure. Wallace, Idaho. Ah Ambrose! Primary Surface: Crushed rock, compacted Winner 2022 NRT Photo Contest, Winter Trails. The trail continues on a trails spur for 2.5 miles from Karnak to Cache River State Natural Area - Henry Barkhausen Wetlands Center on the old Chicago and Eastern Illinois railroad bed. If you want to break your adventure on the Tunnel Hill Trail, here you can even stay at one of their lakefront cabins. Helpful NRT contacts. The history of this community was active during the railroad day in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Your railway has been and gone, but your muttonchops live on. After youre done, head back and enjoy the uphill exercise you will get. The site office is in Vienna, and includes interpretive displays and other information. Other Ghost Town names along the trail include Rago, New Castle, and Bender. There are not many restaurants along the way in the smaller communities that the trail passes through and while some trailheads have drinkable water, these systems are not always reliable or turned on. The town was founded in 1870. There are three lookout decks on the bridge allowing riders to stop and view the scenery without being in the way of other trail users. Follow me onFacebook,Instagram,TwitterandTikTokfor unique content that you will only find on those pages. The trail has an elevation gain of 1,108-foot according to All Trails. The Tunnel Hill State Trail passes by five ghost towns, abandoned communities that grew up around the railroad then withered and died when it closed. The trail runs for 45 miles from Feazel Street in Harrisburg to Karmak in southern Illinois. If you just want to spend a day along the trail, there are plenty of great routes. The trail is mainly paved through Harrisburg and maintained by the city. Retail stores that also carry bikes are not always the best for putting the bikes together and being knowledgeable about cyclist needs. Facilities Tunnel Hill State Trail is a day-use trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets and parking at the access areas. As a former railway, most of the trail has gradual inclines and declines. Visitors will pass 23 trestle bridges (one of which is 450 feet long), a ghost town, a park, and the 543-foot tunnel for which the trail was named. Illinois Dept. My name is Shawn Gossman and I founded Hiking with Shawn. Box 368Hurst, Illinois 62949Thanks for watching another episode of Hiking With Shawn and until next time, I'll see you on the trail!#hikingwithshawn #southernillinois #shawneenationalforest #bluffage #hiking You are in The trail goes through many ghost towns such as Forman, Bender, Rago, Parker City and New Castle. Tunnel Hill State Trail is a day-use trail, offering drinking water, privy toilets and parking at the access areas. The trail is relatively easy to use for most people. Around that area, youll see old structures associated with the former railroad, old road structures and even the foundation of a building that was once there. At its peak the town had a population of nearly 300, with 40 houses, hotels, stores, a post office, places to eat, and two barbershops. You should also consider slippery conditions as well. The first sections of Tunnel Hill State Trail opened in 1998, and it was completed in 2001. There are plenty of benches along the way to stop and rest at. Hikers and horseback riders may cross the trail. Restrooms, benches, parking, and water are all available in the town. When the mines and railroad diminished, the town was abandoned and remained a Ghost Town. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. However, I am tall and a bigger bike fits me better. Dont block the trail move over if someone else is coming at you or needs to pass. Criminal activity along the trail and at trailheads is very low but you should ensure that you lock your vehicles and hide valuables before leaving it to ride. Several campgrounds are located nearby. Sadly, the free community of Pond Settlement was less than 20 miles away from the Southern Illinois salt mines, where indentured slavery was still permitted, despite the Thirteenth Amendment. The town was initially spelled Eldereado but later changed to Eldorado. I highly recommend buying a bicycle from a local bike shop because they will take care of you. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 16 h 54 min to complete. Reviews from cyclists and hikers mention wild turkey, quail, whitetail deer, lizards, turtles, and frogs. Alrighty folks, I hope you have enjoyed this content. The River to River Trail crosses Tunnel Hill State Trail between Vienna and Tunnel Hill. Sandburn Junction has a general store with bike rentals, ice cream, drinks, produce, and veggies that is always open. There are hiking trails along the trail including. Multiple services include large retail stores, fast food, grocery stores, great mom-and-pop stores, and more. Tunnel Hill State Trail Facts States: Illinois Counties: Johnson, Pulaski, Saline, Williamson Length: 55.3 miles Trail end points: Barkhausen-Cache River Wetlands Center at IL 37 (Cypress) and Eldorado High School athletic fields at N. Main St. (Eldorado) Trail surfaces: Concrete, Crushed Stone Trail category: Rail-Trail ID: 6032279 Activities: Please watch for snakes and give them plenty of room. ILLINOIS' TUNNEL HILL STATE TRAIL. Hiking or athletic-specific clothing is also recommended for using this trail. My first experience of biking Tunnel Hill State Trail allowed me to fall in love with it and I found myself biking Tunnel Hill State Trail every chance I got thereafter. Photo by Jonathan Voelz. Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad, known as the Big Four. There are also creeks and the Cache River that you can look at to see other wildlife. If you would be so kind enough to support my efforts, you can do so by sharing this post with others, especially on social media. There are many areas along the trail that will not have any cell phone reception. Hill State trail connected Vincennes, Indiana and Cariro, Illinois ' only National Forest, Illinois ' National... 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